Special Knife Needs a Special Stand - "Update" - Original LaRoche Stand Found!!

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Bob;

I'd suggest a snakeskin covered (weighted) base with a brass or copper alloy (no tarnish) support that would come up and have a slot that would hold the knife right at the base of the neck where the blade starts. This would allow the entire "sculpture" of the snake to be seen without any interference, and counterpart the blade. I'd do it in a contrasting color from what the knife is, just to add to the isolation of the blade.
 
DesRosiers said:
This knife is so exquisite...

What about a whisper thin metal stand that coiled around to creat a base, where the spiral met itself it enclosed a circle of replaceable cork for the tip to rest on and rose straight up the back to end it a 'U' with slightly upturned arms that cradled under the flares of the cobra so no bumping of a desk could threaten it's balance...kinda like a delicate guitar stand. Maybe you could slot the arms and insert a tiny roll of black velvet to protect where it met the neck? Here's a very bad picture of the idea...I'm terrible at drawing on computers:(

-Haley
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Haley-

Frankly, this is the best complete idea yet. It incorporates what I am trying to do in a minimalist way - and in a way I can visualize completely in my mind.The coil is a really wonderful thought since it presents the remainder of the "coiled cobra" effect. Haley, if you two can figure out how to keep the coiled base reasonably symmetrical before the piece of metal rises toward the cobra neck, I think we are about there. The cork idea kinda mirrors my own thoughts, too.

If this project is of interest to you, let me know and you will be the first table I get to at Blade!

Best,

Bob
 
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Kevin C, thanks for the input. Thanks to all others, too. I think the minimalist approach, particularly along the lines Haley has described, has captured my attention here.

But I still would love to hear about all ideas, so keep 'em rollin' in, if one happens to resonate with you.

Thanks again to all-

Bob
 
Bob,
Whatever you do, you really must capitalize on the "striking position" - it will be hard to beat!
1661b865.jpg
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I like the simplicity of this photograph!
Is there a way to devise an "invisible" stand?
 
betzner said:
Haley-

Frankly, this is the best complete idea yet. It incorporates what I am trying to do in a minimalist way - and in a way I can visualize completely in my mind.The coil is a really wonderful thought since it presents the remainder of the "coiled cobra" effect. Haley, if you two can figure out how to keep the coiled base reasonably symmetrical before the piece of metal rises toward the cobra neck, I think we are about there. The cork idea kinda mirrors my own thoughts, too.

If this project is of interest to you, let me know and you will be the first table I get to at Blade!

Best,

Bob
Click to expand...

I've made a simliar base shape for a flower pot hanger so I know it can be done fluidly, I drew my intended spiral in soapstone on a metal surface and then was able to put the hot work right on top of the pattern. I wish I could do the project but will be commercial fishing directly after the show and on into the fall. I would suggest taking the idea to a blacksmith who is good with scroll work, they will have jigs and all sorts of tricks to making it perfect.

I would jump at the chance to see this knife in person though, will it be displayed at any certain table? Or if you're in our neck of the woods (13Q) I'd be honored to get a peep at it!

-Haley
 
Haley, I'll stop by and show it to you. I'll be shipping a few knives to the show, but the only purpose in shipping this one is to find a maker for a stand. Glad you want to see it, it's a really cool knife. I'll be hitting every table, we'll certainly meet and you'll see it up close.

Best,

Bob
 
2knife said:
Bob,
Whatever you do, you really must capitalize on the "striking position" - it will be hard to beat!
1661b865.jpg
.
I like the simplicity of this photograph!
Is there a way to devise an "invisible" stand?
Click to expand...

David, I'm with you - I like the striking position as is shown in this image. However, the real reason I used the image in this way was to show others the balance or pivot point of the knife, from the tip of the knife. I positioned it here, in the cork, so it achieves a perfect balance. From this point, it either falls forward or backward, given a nudge. And it's this position I want it to sit at, with help from an almost invisible stand. LaRoche is truly an artist and obviously had balance of the knife and striking position of the cobra in mind at the same time.

I love Haley's idea of the coil, and will be asking makers at Blade if anyone might take on the project.

Bob
 
Bob,
One more random idea to throw out- using a magnetized attachment point intstead of a collar, or shaped "V". It would be neat to see something like this appear to defy the laws of physics. It would also be neat to suspend it somehow, free floating.. As if a holographic image.
David
 
I think you should stick it in a little basket and lay a flute beside the basket. When someone plays the flute, take the top off the basket and let them check out the knife. Only the snake charmin' type will be allowed to behold this exquisite example of art cutlery.

edited to add: Haley's description of a spiral wound wire around the base of the thing struck me just now as an impression or expression of a basket.
 
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A base of bronze and snakewood to capture the theme, then a thin piece of snakewood not much thicker than the blade but with some width to add strength flowing with the curve of the blade up the back and a small rare earth magnet to keep the knife in position. That way the back support looks as if it never actually touches the knife (except at a very tiny point of the magnet) but mimics it and there's no prongs sticking out the sides. (oops, just read David's post)
 
Lorien, I like the notion of the basket and flute, it never entered my mind, but then again, I don't have much of a mind left! And I get the basket thing, too! I'll make sure you get good pics whenever I get it finished. Same as well when I get that Huey case for the MG display. It is gonna be way cool, too.

Thanks,

Bob
 
David, the Cobra is bronze, heavily coated in silver. It's non-magnetic.

Best,

Bob
 
Lorien said:
I try to think outside the basket : )
Click to expand...

HAHAHAHA!

Anyways,,,,,

To all who have contributed, my thanks. Please do keep the suggestions coming. But unless one really hits home, then the minimalist steel (or equivalent metal) construction (with almost no superstructure) will probably be the way I go. As to the design itself, I think the best approach is to cart it around to several makers at Blade for suggestions.

I particularly am struck with Haley's thought of the coiled base, with only a single thin rod (or equivalent) rising from the base, ending in some "invisible" holding mount at the base of the Cobra's neck.

Lorien, maybe I'll make the coiled base springy, and put it into a deep basket. Make it remote, so it jumps out and scares guests at the touch of a button! (not realllly)

Best,

Bob
 
betzner said:
Lorien, maybe I'll make the coiled base springy, and put it into a deep basket. Make it remote, so it jumps out and scares guests at the touch of a button!
Click to expand...

you KNOW I like that idea! LOL
 
Too all those I promised a peek at the LaRoche Cobra, I apologize - but I won't be bringing it to Blade after all.

Don Guild just emailed me the following:

"...you mentioned to me in an email a couple of weeks ago that you were thinking of some kind of a stand for the Cobra knife. I made a note and looked through my box of miscellaneous knife stufffff and there it was. The stand that Laroche sent with the knife. It is simple but lets the knife stand up so that the Cobra is on full view."

Wow, what a guy! Don had completely forgotten that it originally came with the stand. Don's almost never online in Blade Forums, but I still want to shout out a thank you.

Let's face it, the original LaRoche stand that fully displays the knife, well, kinda makes anything else redundant.

Sooo, no Cobra to Blade. I'll try to shoot a decent image of the Cobra with stand (once I've received the stand from Don) and if successful, will do one more post to this thread. Otherwise, I'll close it.

Thanks again to all, for the suggestions, etc - it was fun.

Best regards,

Bob Betzner
 
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