Something Different

[J T Robbins]

This is my first post here, as well as some pictures of my first knife.
So as a brief introduction, my name is John Robbins, and I live in the San Diego area.
As a hobby, I enjoy collecting Kentucky rifles, and over the years have done a good deal of restoration on them, both my own guns, and for others.
I’ve worked aboard ships as an engineer for many years, so when I decided to make a knife a couple years ago, a nautical theme seemed natural and appropriate.
So that’s me.
As for the knife, the initial idea for the design just sort of popped into my mind, so I think I’ve probably spent way too many years on the ocean!
The blade is a piece of Damascus bar that I ground into the dagger shape, and I have to admit that’s a job I don’t really want to do again as it wasn't anywhere as easy as it looked.
The scales are blacklip MOP.
The remainder of the knife is silver, either formed from sheets like the sheath, or wax carvings I did, and cast by a friend.
I would have liked to had the octopus cast in copper as I thought it would tarnish to a nice octopus color, but I couldn’t find anyone willing to do it, so it’s silver, then plated with rose gold.

The pearls, gold, and rubies for the critters eyes I bought from Rio Grande supply.
All in all, it took about ten months to make, but being my first attempt, a good deal of that time was in figuring out just how to do things, and I spent many hours lurking on forums like this one for help.
I realize it’s not a design that will interest everyone, but any comments, suggestions, or criticism are certainly welcome.
Thanks, John

 

[Kevin Jones]

Different in deed, however one hell of a first knife in my opinion. There's a lot going on with this piece from a design standpoint, however it shows much skill in execution of a difficult knife and sheath.

What are the dimensions?

 

[Tinbasher]

If my first knife looked that good I would have posted full page pictures of it .
Richard

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

If my first knife looked like that I would definitely quit my day job. Wow.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Wow. Incredibly well-done, John. Beautiful by every measure. :thumbup:

The fact that this is your first shows the scope of your artistry, and more importantly, the unlimited potential you still have.

There is a large segment of collectors who would cherish this type of piece. You will do well.

Thanks for the knock-it-out-of-the-stadium intro!

Coop

 

[Bastid]

First knife! The rifle work you do must be out of this world. That dagger is jaw dropping to say the least. Biggest and nicest black pearl I have seen in years to top off the beautiful work.

 

[mitchshrader]

well, not to put too fine a point on it, I know of a guy named Bernard Levine that might appreciate some nice pictures.

I don't have a better compliment in stock, personally, or I'd give you that one. Thank you for showing it..

And, fwiw, Mr. Levine has (somewhere in his gallery) a picture of a 19th century dagger made for (my memory fails on detail) I believe a Satanic mass (perhaps the Hellfire club?).. that is an incredible 'Art' knife. You may wish to stare at it a bit, I think you'ld appreciate it more than most people would.

 

[RogerP]

Dayum! Outstanding piece!

Roger

 

[North]

That is really nice! Thanks for posting the pictures.

Bill

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Dang, first knife huh? To say I'm impressed would be an understatement.

 

[Texas Slim]

WOW! Words fail me. Such a beautiful piece and it's your fist effort? My gosh! I can't wait to see your 100th!

BTW, this knife was clearly made by a waterman as a landlubber would never have captured the texture in the octopus or the natural drape of the starfish so perfectly.

 

[metalbender2]

that sir is a amazing example of old world craftsmanship, my hats off to you.

 

[D lisch]

It is clear you have a large pool of skills to pull from, A better first knife I have not seen good job.

 

[J T Robbins]

Thank you guys so much for your kind words and encouragement!
One thing I found out in very short order, is that making a knife is a lot more difficult than I ever thought it would be.
Grinding that blade was truly an exercise in frustration! Making the sheath not much easier, and making and fitting all the parts together was enough to tax my sanity! I spent I don’t know how many hours studying pictures of all the great knifes posted on this and other forums for inspiration and motivation to continue.
As to specs, the blade is 5 ½” long, ¾” wide, and the overall length of the knife is about 9 ½”.
The MOP came from Culpepper & Co., and I bought another great set from them at this years Las Vegas show.
Initially my thought was to just make this single knife for myself, but I found making it was really enjoyable, and very infectious!
And well, I do have that new set of scales, and my seawater soaked brain has been churning.
Thank you guys, John

 

[Murray White]

Absolutely Fabulous!!! Now this is a knife that would again fit perfectly into my collection. First Knife??? Wow!! I think there would be a lot of makers that would like this to be their 100th knife and many maybe a lot more than that. Of course this evaluation is based on the photos but if execution equals what it appears you have performed remarkably. Wonderful!! Hope we see more of your work.

 

[Joss]

J T,

This is an amazing, amazing knife. The octopus and starfish are spurbly represented. This is somehwat reminiscent of Jim Kelso's work, though of course he has a lifetime of study and experience. You may enjoy this:

http://www.arscives.com/jkelso/

http://www.arscives.com/jkelso/knives.htm

Please keep on making knives like this! :thumbup:

 

[J T Robbins]

Thanks Joss, and thanks for the link to Mr. Kelso's work. Wow! Absolutely incredible, some serious study work to do there, although I can only hope to be half that good down the road!

This being my first knife, well, there are areas that I'll improve on with a second one. Beside some fit and finish improvement, one thing for sure that needs help is the blue color I used on the blade and sheath. I wanted it to look like deep ocean blue water and am happy with the color, but it's a patina finish, and consequently is pretty fragile and chips easily. In fact, the finish was worn off the very tip of the blade at the Vegas show, but then it was pulled in and out of the sheath a whole lot of times, but none the less needs to be more durable.

Murray, if you want one I'll be happy to make you one,,,, but you're going to have to wait until I know I can make it good enough to sell. Hopefully with some more practice and a lot of luck, that actually might be someday!

So one more picture, this one the backside, with a simple belt hook, a lot of legs, and one more pearl.

Best Regards, John

 

[Murray White]

Well I"M going to save those images JT. You keep at it and be sure to contact me at anytime.

 

[BlazenGem]

first? thats craaazy...keep going. Id be happy if my first knife looked 1/2 as good.

 

[Bruce Evans]

John.....I am SPEECHLESS.....I just dont know what to say other than that is completely FANTASTIC....I think I need to call you for some advice.....

Did you show these pictures to the other guys in shop talk,if not put a link,to show the other new guys what can be done with some imagination and a want to attitude.

Fantastic work again,
Bruce