Subhilts

Keith Montgomery

Keith Montgomery

Joined
May 9, 2000
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Subhilt fighters are one of my favorite styles of knife. Looking back through some of my old books and magazines I noticed that back in the 80s and early 90s that they seemed to be quite popular. When I look at more recent books and magazines, and check out custom knife dealer websites, it seems to me that their popularity has waned. Anybody else still really like subhilts?

If you guys have any photos of really nice subhilts I would love to see them. I am in the midst of trying to get Nick Wheeler to make me one, but it looks like it will be a couple of years before he can deliver. Any way some of you guys that have knives on order with Nick would be willing to let me butt in line in front of you? Yeah I know, good luck.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
Subhilt fighters are one of my favorite styles of knife. Looking back through some of my old books and magazines I noticed that back in the 80s and early 90s that they seemed to be quite popular. When I look at more recent books and magazines, and check out custom knife dealer websites, it seems to me that their popularity has waned. Anybody else still really like subhilts?

If you guys have any photos of really nice subhilts I would love to see them. I am in the midst of trying to get Nick Wheeler to make me one, but it looks like it will be a couple of years before he can deliver. Any way some of you guys that have knives on order with Nick would be willing to let me butt in line in front of you? Yeah I know, good luck.
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I have one from Mike Lovett that I posted a while back, and a Jot Khalsa DAMASCUS subhilt. I have a W.C. Johnson as well, that I got from Buddy S.

No way would I let you jump in front of me for my Wheeler DAGGER. :D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Well you know what they say .... you never know until you ask! But I think your question about bumping up Nicks list may be the exception that proves the rule :D

As far as subhilts go I love them, the Loveless Big Bear is one of the first knives I lusted over (until I found out the price :D).

David Broadwells are my favourites ...... perhaps we can persuade Coop to post a picture of that outstanding example he has.

Stephen
 
To my great sadness, David Broadwell said that he can no longer make ones like this because the damascus maker doesn't make san mai like this anymore.
What a beauty.
sh_sanmai.jpg
 
There are many that make subhilts with clean well-balanced lines. Yup, two of those names have been mentioned already: Jim Siska and David Broadwell.

I own a 'presentation grade' subhilt fighter, and it has been shown and described here before in this thread. By no means is it the very best in ergos, but it sure is gorgeous!
Here it is:

orig.jpg


Jim Siska, Jot Khalsa, Walter Brend, are among others who have made subhilts of the highest order. Thanks for the thread.

Coop
 
I have a subhilt by Rob Brown. I had asked him to do a pair of knives, a Sheffield-style bowie, and a subhilt. As those were supposed to be a pair, he built the subhilt as a Sheffield craftsman might have done it. The result is awesome.

Pair_RobBrown3.jpg
 
1917cutlass said:
I'm also a huge fan of subhilts, i love my black bear by cold steel.
Check it out.

http://www.coldsteel.com/14bbcj.html
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Though this is a custom knife forum I would like to thank you for your input just the same. The Cold Steel Black Bear is a takeoff on the Loveless Big Bear theme; it is one of my favorite styles of knife.

Though I like the looks of some of the fancier subhilts that have been posted, my favorites are much less elaborate. This one by Rob Brown is one I like very, very much.
 
Personally I'm a fan of David Broadwell's, although I like his old style of fancy subhilts a bit better (around 5 years ago)
 
Here's one I used to have, miss it sometimes.
 

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Boy, I love those knives of his. :) Joss, that's the first I have heard or seen of your twins, and they are special. Congrats! Sharon Burger scrim work?

The other posted by Keith is also just my style. Nice.

I ordered a 'Loveless' chute knife from him just a month or so ago. Sometime before the end of the year, I'm told....!

Coop
 
Holy Crap Coop!!! That's a freakin gorgeous knife made by Broadwell!!! :eek:

I've been admiring subhilts for the past year or so. Looks like a very interesting design.

Sean
 
Keith -- here is a subhilt by Roger Hatt of BC.

standard


ATS34, Canadian Burch Burl, sugalite and brass guard/butt

another one I have is by Schuyler Lovestrand

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Mammoth Ivory, ATS34 and N/S guard

one here I obtained from the maker when at the 2004 Chicago Knife Show by WC "Bill" Johnson

standard
 
Wow, the Brend and the Broadwell are just...wow.

The others aren't too shabby either.
 
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