Some knives from John Fitzen - Skull Knives

[FantastikFox]

Here are some photos of one of my favorite makers' knives.

He seems underrepresented here on the Blade Forums...

As I'm able, I'll post some more.

These knives are:

- Interchangeable Blade knife. The idea is to have a fixed blade that you can carry an extra blade for. He has two blade styles right now (which fit in the same sheath), and he told me recently he's going to do a spear point that should fit in the same sheath too. It has a crossada and quillion incorporated into the handle.

- Frankenstein Fighting Bowie. I call this one the medieval Frankenstein because it was left with hammer marks on it. It is the only knife I've seen that has the capabilities of Keating's Crossada.

- Bulldog Bowie. This is a classically designed bowie with a short, wide blade. He posted a video about this particular knife on Youtube.

- Knife fighting cuff. This is made of two thick pieces of leather covered in elephant hide. It has a small spyderco on it, along with a dragon menuki and large silver stud, made from an old Mexican coin.

- First prototype Folder. He's working on a folder right now that incorporates the crossada, and this is the first prototype. The position of the crossadas has been changed so that they are both in the liner, not the blade.

If you have a Fitzen Knife, post it!

-FF

 

[Spinerazor]

you don't need to try and fake hype your knives on the boards, its obvious you are John Fitzen almost every post you've made since you've been a member is praising John Fitzen, kinda hard not to see whats going on, just be yourself and post your knives and people will either like them or they wont. i think your knives look quite nice. cheers.

 

[FantastikFox]

Easy...

I'm not John Fitzen, I just like his knives. I like a lot of knives, and am in the process of posting about them. For example, I like bowies. I like Bagwell Bowies, and have a Hell's Belle (along with three Ontario remakes). I like the Crossada, and have one. I like Randall's, and have four. These are all more-or-less in John's genre. I'd post about these other knives before John's, except that they are represented extensively on this forum, whereas John's knives aren't. I like a lot of other knives and makers, and intend to post photos of their knives as well (American Kami, Kiku Matsuda, and others). But, like I said in the above post, John is under represented here. These other knives don't have that problem, so Skull Knives get prioritzed above them. Also, I've been to John's shop, and have photos from his shop. There's a cool factor there for me that I don't have with the other makers. If I had pictures from Bill Bagwell's shop, I would certainly post them.

Not to be cheesy, but...

The way I see Blade Forums, it's a great place to come together and celebrate the knives we like. The fact that I give more attention to one of my favorite makers (who doesn't get a lot of traffic here...) is reflective of the fact that there isn't a lot of first-hand info about John here. Nothing else.

Fair enough?

-FF

 

[Spinerazor]

fair enough

 

[Doug C]

Looking forward to seeing your Bagwell, FF !
Is it stag ?

Doug

 

[FantastikFox]

Here are four more. Two Bagwells, a Hell's Belle and an older bowie, along with two Skull knives, a Bulldog and Bone Splitter.

The Hell's Belle is immaculate but, honestly, the other Bagwell has better balance and is much faster in the back-cut. The HB has an almost 12" blade, and the other Bagwell Bowie is around 8.5".

An interesting philosophical difference between John and Bill is that this HB weighs approx. 16 oz. and the Bone Splitter, which is comparably sized weighs 28 oz. Part of that is the grind, and the other part is that John put No. 6 shot into the pommel of the Bone Splitter. The intent and result is that it is fast in the back cut, and moves with power.

The Bulldog handle, a copy of the normal HB coffin handle w/ studs, was executed perfectly. It's super comfortable in the hand (which I can't say for all bowies).

Enjoy.

-FF

 

[Doug C]

Thanks for posting these cool blades, very nice, FF ! :thumbup:

Doug

 

[Buffalohump]

John is a cool guy, with the kilt and all, I always enjoy watching his vids on YouTube. I must say he is one well armed dude! I like that Frankenstein bowie but I think that cordwrap lets it down somewhat. I think it would benefit greatly from some scales. The folder looks interesting, how does it work?

 

[Veesix]

I have 2 of John's knives(original Frankenstein&Tank)he is one of the coolest and down to earth cats out there it always a pleasure to talk with him:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[FantastikFox]

I've seen some scales for a Predator Bowie, so it should be possible for the Frankenstein as well. The way the cord wrap was done is comfortable and practical, but I agree that scales would add class.

My thing with the Frankenstein is that it is HEAVY. It swings with power, but I've had to strengthen my wrist specifically for the knife. My Crossada is one of the more recent, Newton knives, and is thinner than the earlier 1/4" knives. The result is that it is faster than the Frankenstein, but I would say less powerful and won't stand up to the punishment that the 1/4" 5160 Frankenstein will. I love the lines on the Frankenstein though.

I understand that the most recent iteration of the folder is a ti framelock with either an S35VN or CPM 154 Blade, with a Crossada in the liners. When I saw it a few months ago in John's shop (pictured), it had an A2 blade, liners and bolsters, with micarta inserts. I'm not sure if micarta will be incorporated into the new knife (whenever John releases it). The crossadas give it a specifically Fitzen look, which I like.

-FF

 

[der_vincent]

Hey FantaFox,

cool Fitzen knifes indeed!

Just one thought about the Frankenstein: I think it's obvious that Fitzen took the idea from James Keating and his original Crossada Design .

I just think that the Crossada's Principle of catching the opponents blade work a lot better with the Dozier Crossada or Newton Crossada. Just look at the spot of the Spanis Notch at the Frankensteib: its too high above the lower blade catcher.

MAA James Keating shows impressively in his 1st comtech DVD that if you have a Dozier Crossada and manage to catch the opponent's blade in the lower blade catcher - and it then the opponent tries to free his blade by moving his wrist and rolling his blade - then automatically his blade will fall into the Spanish notch.

At first i was astonished about that and then tried it aout with the Aluminum Crossada Trainer and a wooden opponents blade - and it really works fine indeed. And that is just due to the position and geometry of the lower "Devils Horn" Blade geometry at the Dozier. And i am sure that won' work with the Frankenstein... just my thought.

Anyway, cool Fitzen knives.

Cheers
Vincent

 

[FantastikFox]

Vincent,

Really interesting point. When I have a chance I'll post a side-by-side of a Newton Crossada and the Frankenstein to highlight the difference. I don't know this for certain, but, like you I think the Crossada must be the model for the Frankenstein. I really dig both.

The Frankenstien Spanish Notch would probably work better coming off of the Quillion, as opposed to the horn. That said, all the blade catching training I've done has been with the aluminum Crossada trainer, not a Frankenstein trainer.

The Keating videos are outstanding.

-FF

 

[der_vincent]

Thanks FantaFox,

yesss, a side-by-side pic of the Frankenstein and a Crossada (Newton or Dozier) would be really interesting.

Cheers
Vincent

 

[FantastikFox]

Ok, so, here is the Frankenstein next to the a Newton Crossada, from two angles.

Attached also is a Cold Steel Laredo in SK-5 that Fitzen put a Moore Guard on, as well as a hickory handle with Brass Butt Cap. It has a plate on the guard that has a small skull on it.

The last picture is of my higher-end big fighting knives. The only two in the picture that haven't been posted in this thread are a Greg Covington fighter, done in the style of a Hell's Belle (albeit with a different guard) and a Shiva Ki Mercinary.

Of these, my favorites are the Bone Splitter, Helle's Belle and Crossada, although they all kick @$$.

-FF

 

[der_vincent]

Hi FantaFox,

thanks for the pics man, WOW, your knifes really are awesome :thumbup:
seems that we got the same taste about knives.

That idea of putting a Moore Guard on the CS Laredo is rather cool! a very good update on the Laredo. a creative solution; great job from Mr. Fitzen.
(Regarding the Laredo: a fine knife, fine blade... but i guess we all know the pics of CS' tang construction on the Laredo and the Natchez .. but thats another story).

And if I guess right: your Newton Crossada is in ATS34 and has the ironwood grip? Do you know if the Newton's blade thickness is either 1/4 or smaller 3/16 inch?

Hey, I got only the Ontario Hells Belle [not a Bagwell :-( ] and made a blade comparison to the Dozier Crossada: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbmPAvszHww

Cheers Vincent

 

[FantastikFox]

As far as the Laredo goes, I agree. A more credible tang would be nice. I love the blade though. The size is perfect for a big bowie, and I dig that they put a full flat grind on it. The Natchez blade looks cooler, but it gets thin through the tip, whereas the Laredo maintains its thickness. The way John did the handle, the balance is as good as anyting else I have.

The Newton Crossada is thinner than 1/4". Looking at it, 3/16" looks about right, but I'm not certain. It's ATS-34 with a walnut handle. I bought it from MAAJAK, and he said that they went thinner than 1/4" because guys were saying the original knives were too heavy. MAAJAK said he preferred it heavier because it would be stronger, but having a Frankenstein, I can see how guys would want it lighter.

The Dozier looks sweet. The sheath the Newton came with is leather and has a frog, so that it can slide through the belt like most bowies. Carrying one of these in a shoulder rig seems more practical though.

-FF

 

[Bowie95]

You are fitzen! Because on your bulldog you had that little skull. In his video he said that was his own personal bulldog. Unless he made another just like this then you are John

 

[FantastikFox]

That is the same bulldog as in the video (the long stag handled Bowie was in a video too). I bought them both from John.

-FF

 

[Bowie95]

Is that his bone spliter from his videos?

 

[slickpete]

Nice collection mate, me also like em fightin bowies, and i tend to gravitate towards the heavier ones rather than the daggerish hells belle style. But a Bagwell is a Bagwell.