Photos Started a new pattern. Half-whittler

[David Kramp]

David Kramp Can we see see a photo of the blades closed, in the blade well?

I added some pictures of the closed positions. Man is it tight in there. Maybe I’ll be able to add the video of when I unboxed it.

 

[LastRodeo]

I added some pictures of the closed positions. Man is it tight in there. Maybe I’ll be able to add the video of when I unboxed it.

Looks really good. Nice and snug, but it doesnt look like the blades will rub against each other.

 

[Chief]

David Kramp since you asked for nits. In my opinion the shield is upside down, should point to the center. Shield is poorly set, doesn't appear to be flush, has glue / filler visible on the wide end. I am OCD about blade rub and therefore rarely buy knives that open from opposite ends. Agree, slipjoints can move a little when peening, making blade rub semi-acceptable on a factory knife, but not on a top tier custom. Personally don't care for tang etching, prefer a stamp. Loose the Harrah part, unnecessary as there is only one Ed Kramp making slipjoints and it gets mostly hidden in the open position. A maker's mark is his signature and should be perfect, centered on the visible portion of the tang in the open position. The transition of the bolster on the clip end in the open position looks fairly rounded, smooth, but the beak end transition has an abrupt angle that doesn't match the other, more rounded bolster, unsymmetrical and probably not as comfortable in use. Without handling it in person, those are my nits. Am a tough critic, I know ...

 

[Railsplitter]

I feel a little strange pointing this out. Was going to PM you instead, David but you don't have that privilege under your current membership.

I do see a possible flaw that might need addressed when your dad makes the next knife. I sincerely hope that you appreciate the feedback and don't take offense.

It's either a sharpening issue or blade rap. (edge contacting the back spring upon closing) It looks like the latter but I can't say for sure. Clip blade. Under the nail nick there's a nick in the sharpened edge. Looks like it might be hitting the hump created by the center pin inside the blade well.

 

[David Kramp]

Here is my unboxing video. Removed.

 

[David Kramp]

Thanks Chief . You’ve pointed out just about everything I noticed on the knife. It’s good to hear it from others and not just me. I do have a couple of counterpoints.

As far as the “Arrowhead” shield inlay. I have the privilege of knowing what happened with it and why the squeeze out. Explanation: The soldered/brazed pin for the shield popped off somehow when trying to line up the new soldered pin for the inlay recess it was slightly off. Instead of destroying or scraping the handles he did what he could to salvage it. Knowing full well this knife would never be in the hands of a “collector” like yourself. It’s a prototype. To learn on and find flaws and mistakes. Which there were many along the road. Which is a good thing. That’s why we are here in this forum. All knife makers strive to make a better knife. This is helpful no doubt. He used to single/double pin the shield when using nickel silver. Not sure the pins would hide with 416 SS shield and 410 pins. Maybe someone can chime in on that.

My opinion on the shield orientation. I disagree about the direction it’s pointing only because it’s supposed to be the point of an arrowhead. It should point to the clip blade. The shape of this arrowhead missed the mark in my opinion. It’s difficult to tell it’s an arrowhead. I didn’t mention it because it was too late but I would like to have seen the arrowhead with a hammered texture to simulated actual flint knapping. If he had done that, then maybe the shield being raised slightly would have been ascetically more pleasing?

Obviously Ed doesn’t have a steel template or pantograph machine like all the big guys. Even though plenty of guys do it extremely well without fancy tools. When I voted for a shield I wanted it to be perfectly flushed/flat/level to the scales. But Ed made the choice to leave it raised. Why? I don’t know. Preference I guess, just like traditional folders of generations back. The kinds he grew up knowing. The trend now is perfect shields that lay flat. Unless in jigged bone or stag. Back in the day this was not the trend. I would say Ed is not currently “on trend” for a number of collectors out there. I like the newer shields of today personally. They are crisp and clean. That’s what I’d like to see from him in the future if possible.

I 100% agree about the makers mark. I’ve been advocating for a stamp. I agree not having Harrah, OK.

Now onto the bolsters. Yes they are asymmetrical on purpose. Just playing around with different designs. It actually does feel good in the hand. It’s kinda like a copperhead on one end and a canoe on the other. I’m sure if you go back in the history books this pattern may be similar to something already out there. I’m sure the great Tony Bose pattern master would know.

As far as the razorbeak, it has a lot to do with the actual function of the blade. If you’ve ever done carpentry or fine wood working, this blade excels in the same way as a coping blade for scoring materials, exacto-knife type work and opening/cutting up cardboard boxes. That’s what it was designed to do and it does a fine job of it. It’s a utility blade. That gentle hump in the blade is there for a reason. It reduces how much the blade will flex when bearing down on a surface to score it. A regular long skinny coping blade will flex. Granted, there isn’t that gentle sweeping arc along the entirety of the knife that you’ve become accustomed to in typical traditional folders. Sometimes it’s a matter of function over form.

Ever changing designs, asymmetry, atypical patterns and blades is what makes knife making artistry. I think discussion like this is great. I take no offense to anything as long as it brings about a better future knife.

 

[David Kramp]

Looks really good. Nice and snug, but it doesnt look like the blades will rub against each other.

It does hit a tiny bit. So hard to get it perfect on your first try. I’m sure he’ll get that part worked out on the next one.

 

[David Kramp]

I feel a little strange pointing this out. Was going to PM you instead, David but you don't have that privilege under your current membership.

I do see a possible flaw that might need addressed when your dad makes the next knife. I sincerely hope that you appreciate the feedback and don't take offense.

It's either a sharpening issue or blade rap. (edge contacting the back spring upon closing) It looks like the latter but I can't say for sure. Clip blade. Under the nail nick there's a nick in the sharpened edge. Looks like it might be hitting the hump created by the center pin inside the blade well.

yep I picked up on that one as well. He missed that one. The file work needs practice too be we knew that. Much better things to come now that he’s full time and loving making Knives again. My hope is he’ll start using some of the modern approaches and get better equipment. Always a process.

While we’re at it I finally got down to the bottom of another issue with the bolsters. Everyone is right or left-handed and makers hold things a certain way when using a grinder. I’ve noticed that the bolster has a high side after rounding it and contouring on every knife. I don’t think it occurred to him until I pointed it out.

I think I’m about as rough on my Dads work as the Chief . He thinks it’s a good thing and he’s thanked me for it. He’s an honest maker and I appreciate everyone’s input. It’s valuable. What would this forum be if there wasn’t constructive nits? Basically just a bunch of dudes scratching their nut sacks and one upping about knives.

Since it’s my knife and that’s what’s being discussed. I don’t think it’s a problem for me to post a video of me opening the box with the knife. I’m not selling the knife or promoting or shilling. Just happen to have a family member that makes knives.

I’ll keep the video link off unless told otherwise.

 

[Chief]

David Kramp 100% correct about the arrowhead. After my post I decided it looked backwards to me because I don't recognize it as an arrowhead, looks more like a shield. Perhaps I am influenced by the orientation / shape of the shield on this recent GEC knife I purchased.

An arrowhead shield that looks more like an arrowhead. Oriented in the same direction as your dad's proto but looks correct as I recognize it as an arrowhead.

I like the razorbeak blade and agree on it's functionality. Would make a fine single blade design for some who prefer a single blade.

 

[David Kramp]

David Kramp 100% correct about the arrowhead. After my post I decided it looked backwards to me because I don't recognize it as an arrowhead, looks more like a shield. Perhaps I am influenced by the orientation / shape of the shield on this recent GEC knife I purchased.

An arrowhead shield that looks more like an arrowhead. Oriented in the same direction as your dad's proto but looks correct as I recognize it as an arrowhead.

I like the razorbeak blade and agree on it's functionality. Would make a fine single blade design for some who prefer a single blade.

It almost reminded me of the Star Trek insignia. I know each arrowhead he makes is different. Normally there is some Simulated fleck knapping he does with a file. They look good much of the time but most people are familiar with the more iconic looking arrowhead.

Agreed on the razorbeak. Seems to work well with as a single blade Barlow. I’d like to see it a little longer to fill the blade well more in a Barlow. On the two bladed Barlow it stills look good I think because the clip fills the void.

 

[David Kramp]

Great stuff Time for a Passaround to field test it amongst the faithful

Will Power how often do you see a slipjoint available for a pass-around? It might be a good idea so people can handle Ed’s Knives. I’ll check with him and see if he’s up for the idea of building something for a pass-around.

Have there been any issues with recent pass arounds?

 

[Will Power]

Just joking about that one BUT if he wants to test the waters I'm sure there'd be an appreciative audience here

 

[PirateSeulb]

I cant 2nd that there is an audience for a pass around but that is purely up to the owner of the knife/knives if they want to start one up. I warn you that I have seen some disappear but it isn't too common as you would be selling your rep for the value of the given knife/knives. I think a maker doing a pass around for testing out new patterns and designs would be great for the maker and for many of us knife nuts to review and give feedback.

 

[David Kramp]

I was ignorant to pass-arounds until I read a number of threads and the stickies. I can see where the risks/benefits/rewards have to be weighed before sending a knife out to strangers.

So far I think the virtual pass-around in this thread has been great. I’ll post the you tube video of the knife when I first opened the box. I was excited to see it and knew there were flaws to pick out. Me posting photos and video of this new pattern and design for all to critique here on Bladeforums is basically doing the same thing without the risk of theft.

 

[Railsplitter]

That knife looks pretty awesome in that video. Gotta love your little buddy with the sniffer too.

 

[Elgatodeacero]

Very nice work.