Something you don't see everyday...

Joss

Joss

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
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Knifeart has 2 full integral subhilt from Kressler. Not a bad use of a spare $5,000... :)
 
Custom Knife Consignment has also several (non-integral) sub-hilts by Broadwell & Siska...
 
The Siskas are a good deal. The price is not bad, and Jim makes a great knife.

The Broadwell's are a great deal, and some of those knives are damn beautiful, I liked the dinosaur fighter the best.

With respect to your eye, and experience, I don't think the Kressler's are a good buy, at all.

I think the price is maxed, and it would be a long time before the buyer could make a profit. The knives themselves are a wash. The lines are pleasing, but the actual subhilt construction is not in the same ballpark as Loveless. HOLLOW PINS? You have got to be kidding me! One of the largest back asswards attempts I have seen in a long time. Much better usage of $5,000 for sure. You could buy a Bradshaw, Foster, Wheeler, Siska AND a couple of Dennings for that amount. Way more stuff to play with, and a pretty good chance of doubling your money down the road.

Now, being that you are European, and all, in Europe, the Kressler could probably turn for a much higher profit than here. Or, am I wrong in that assumption? I honestly don't know.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Maybe I shouldn't have said "not a bad use of $5,000", because I truly have no idea of what they're worth. They just don't show up often enough. I'm not in the market for this anyway - not at that price. ;)
 
I just thought that you might know something about Kressler in Europe, that I do not. Not bagging on his work,I always thought his fit and finish was top notch. I just don't know anything much about non American makers.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Not to change the subject, but since I found this going to KnifeArt to see the knives you're discussing...did any of you look at that Mick Strider custom folder?

I am not normally a big fan of the Strider folders. I appreciate that they are supposed to be amazingly durable, but I find them aesthetically and ergonomically unappealing.

That said, the combination of the lovely damascus blade (does Strider make his own damascus?) with the nice grinds and the tan G10 scale make for a striking combination.


Thanks for inadvertently bringing it to my attention, even if it's WAY out of my price range for a folder.


B.
 
From my understanding Dietmar only has the rough blank of steel milled out for him. Then all the other work is totally done by him in his shop with his, own hands. See picture of his steel blank work below. Also don’t forget that the Kressler's Sub-hilts on Knife Art site are fully integral (one piece of steel).

Loveless Sub-hilts are not full integral and also are only about $20,000 today.
 

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Kressler lets someone he knows CNC-machine his knives.
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So you've witnessed this or are you just pulling something out of your 4th point of performance that someone else told you?

All integrals start with some sort of large billet that has most of the junk milled out, but after that, it is hand work (profiling, blade grinding, bevels, radiuses, drilling for pins, handle material, final finish). There may be a few exceptions of folks who cut all their radiuses on the mill. Dietmar is not one of those. He hand files. So does Ricardo Velarde. Dietmar taught Ricardo to make integrals. Here are some of Ricardo's process pics:

integdesign01.jpg


integdesign02.jpg
 
I am in awe of the integral method... I have a nice little T. M. Dowell, but it's just a semi.
 
arawn said:
Not to change the subject, but since I found this going to KnifeArt to see the knives you're discussing...did any of you look at that Mick Strider custom folder?

B.
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Check out KF, there's a guy(HKSig, Chad) there selling a Custom SMF just about like that one but with black G10. Damascas and all. He's also selling a one of a kind Dwyer too.

just FYI,

oily
 
A lot of Makers do all of their own milling operations in their own shop on their own equipment.

Mr. Kressler stated in print in the leading german knife publication that he jobs out the milling of his blanks to someone who uses a CNC machine. This was in a substantial article about Mr. Kressler and his work so I expect he was quoted correctly. The exact state of the "blanks" he receives from the machine shop was not elaborated upon. It's admirable that he is up front and honest about how he makes his knives. I've had a chance to see several of them and they are of the finest quality.

The blank shown above from Ricardo Velarde could be made on a conventional mill. As soon as there are compound curves, pockets with compound curves and inserts, it becomes very very difficult to make them on a conventional mill. I've also seen several of Mr. Velarde's knives and they too are superb. I don't know if he mills his blanks or has them done. I'm sure he would be tell anyone who asked him.
 
Walking Man said:
What's wrong with hollow pins?
Click to expand...

Like a really old thread. Come around here much?

Hollow pins are fine for tactical knives, especially when you are trying to keep the weight down, but they are entirely inappropriate for a multi thousand dollar integral art knife.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I saw the Kresslers on knifeart,I like the Integral fighter.But when it comes right down to it, I'd rather buy Two MS Bowies than just the one fighter.Maybe if I won the lottery I'd buy the Kressler,but then I'd have to start playing the lottery in order to win! Too much trouble.;)
 
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