That's not a knife...

philthygeezer

philthygeezer

Joined
Aug 6, 2002
Messages
746
Just got my CarbonV Trail Master in the mail today. I knew it was going to be a big knife, but no one told me it was BIG... Makes my SRK look like an Xacto. :D :D :D

The uncontrollable chuckling died down about five minutes ago, and I am still grinning. No one I hike or camp with is going to trust me anymore.:rolleyes:. I can hear the gossip already.

Seems like the Trail Master, the SRK and a nice sharp Spydie are about ideal for hiking in the wilderness, so I will be content to watch people's reactions with tacit amusement. I am the Geologist/wilderness buff, so I do get a little respect...:cool: Wait 'til I get the Kukri:D.

Any pointers on cutting wood/limbing trees etc with this nice sharp tool? What about finer work? What makes this knife useful beyond the utility of a hatchet? Any hidden dangers in using it as a chopper? Safety is paramount, and I have never owned a knife this large.

Phil
 
The only suggestion that I have, RE: the CS Trailmaster is, that if you will be doing alot of chopping with it when your hand is damp or wet, is to wear a glove, or else the rubber handle will cause some nasty blisters.
 
And check out the Himalayan Imports forum here under Makers and Manufacturers. When I had a fireplace I used a kukuri to chop wood and it is The Destroyer. Nuting like it.

Enjoy yr Trailmaster.

Kallisti.
 
Yes, pop over to HI and get infected. Once you get an HI khukuri there is no return.
 
Ah... so you guys are into this kind of things...

So, I shall present the "Beauty" and the "Beast"...

The beauty:
asuka1.jpg
asuka2.jpg

(Saji's Asuka Japanese Bowie)

The beast:
sickle1.jpg

(Szaboinc's Battle sickle)

What would you think about these?
:)
 
Wow, I would love one of those bowies! That battle sickle is a bit too out there for my tastes though. How much do those bowies cost?
 
Hello Bobwhite,

I went to pub with friends last night... didn't check mail nor the forum, sorry!

About the Japanese bowies, I paid for mine just about a few buck more than my San Mai Trail Master (yes, I've got a TM too :)), kind of reasonable I would say.

For more info, you may take a look at the website below:
http://hamonoichiba.com/custom/saji/sj_01.html
(well... the thing is in Japanese I think... still lots of pics to refer to...)

The maker of these Japanese bowies is a man called "Saji". I've actually got mine via. a Hong Kong agent. They speak some English:), in fact they are a major agent for Strider knives for the South East Asian market. (Check their site in http://www.supremeco.com.hk/, or you may have a word with these people by e-mail, info@supremeco.com.hk)

I have to admit, Saji's work may be more on the practical side than beauty's. If you are really into this Japanese "fine" art, the sites below worth taking a look:

http://www.toyokuni.net/midashi_syuryou.html
(This shop is owned by a 94 years old Mr. Toyokuni... darn experienced!)

http://www.kt-kitasho.co.jp/ShopKane.htm
(If I say "Saji" is on the practical side, "Kane" would be on the other end... his school has been famous for "artistic" knives production since the time of sammurai!!)
 
BW,
Dieter Schmid-Fine Tools carries Takeshi Saji's fine knives. I have dealt with them in the past with excellent results.

I saw some of Mr Saji's knives at Blade Show West last year.
They are very appealing. They were being displayed by a company out of San Diego. If I remember the name I'll post it. Edit: The company is Sectas

To further temp you: Khukuri-Saji and some others .

Regards,
Greg
 
Jin, those blades are beauty. I like Takeshi's work very much too, his works really show persona, or character I see in many of his presentations.
 
Personally, I fancy Saji's work a bit more than other Japanese smiths'... more personality, more funtionality, very natural blade curvation (could be a natural curve from the quench), carburised finish on both sides, damacus on the edge, "san mai", cherry tree bark for the handle and the sheath, the price is good... what else can I ask for?

My friends tend to have slightly divided views on that, when they look at my Kane and Saji collections. For those who do not "collect" knives, they tend to pick the one with more neatness, that is, the Kane. For those who "worship" steel for the sake of "worshipping", they also pick my Kane as it is forged from Hitachi "Blue steel" (when Saji forges his in "White" steel, virtually the same thing, same purity, same carbon content, only a few percent less in chromium).

Apart from these, there are also quite a few other Japanese smith making "Bowie" style knives. May be, there is "another world out there" waiting for us to explore!
 
Jin, you must be very determined person to read japanse pages, or you must be fluent in japanese language. I have seen pages your have posted, and it is either all in japanese, or japanese with brief english translations. I happened to speak and read japanese in acceptable competency, yet, it takes dedication to browse pages in another language, but through enthusiasts' eyes works of passionate artist-blade smith in this case can be enjoyed and appriciated with or without explanation.

Not long ago I have started to take interests in knives and edged tools of many kinds, and I have been reading many resources including japanese knife-edged tool magazine call "Knife Magazine", it is very interesting to read how American and japanese knife scences are viewed from across the ocean. And as you stated there is another world to be seen and explored.
 
By the way, do you have an experience or opinion on japanese wood lacquer Urushi finished knife handle? I have some first hand experience in japanese lacquer wears and it does have disadvantages in dry environment (my urushi lacquer cracked after 5 years of abuse with central heating during the winter time.)

Also I was curious if you meant Kane as in "Kaneatsu" of Takai Cutterly, or "Seki-Kanetsune"? I'm thinking about Seki-Kanetsune because of variety Seki-Kanetsune offers. And by the way have you seen Saji's "mushashi" with parashoot cord handle? Its very unusual looking piece from Takeshi.
 
Hello RN0601,

I have to admit, reading a Japnese webpage is no way easy. I'd taken Japanese language as my "humanity option" when I was in the college, and very very marginally, I pass:)!

About "Kane", I actually picked up the name from the web address "ShopKane.htm". I thought it is unlikely for the man to have his first name as "Shop", So I just called him "Kane":)! I've checked his webpage again, I think his name should be "Kanetsune" in full, as this word appears as a background image of his website! (Not too sure whether he lives in Seki or not, though...)

About Natural Lacquer, or "Urushi" in Japanese, I have to admit, it tends to require a lot more care than any other modern polymeric materials. If you do manage to wax your lacquered product regularly, say, once every 2~3 months, it will last.

Saji's "mushashi"? Is it one of those look like an oversized Strider knife? Saji has quite a few other knives in that format too... Maybe I am a bit old fashioned, but I believe a knife should have at least a "proper" handle of its own. (you can tell I am no fan of Strider knives!)
 
Jin, I admire your dedication to go beyond language to fulfill your desire, there are very few who would go the distance you have. And thank you very much for advice on waxing lacquer wears, I will look into wax to preserve my lacquer wears, its a very sentimental pieces for me.

By the way I didn't know Saji made quite few of those parashoot cord wrapped Strider looking knives. Just like you, I do not care for such handle, nor knives. If you ever have chance, you might want to take a look at what Ohyasuya/The Edge store owner has to say about Strider Knives. I thought the opinion was very interesting and legitimate and critical on what he has to say about such popular brand. (To those who read this colum and worships Strider Knives brand, I personally has nothing against the brand.)

Jin, hope to talk to you again on the forum, and by the way check out the Modern Marvels on History Channel this Tuesday night for knives and edged weaponary special. (well, maybe you've already know about it) Maybe we can talk again regarding to the show later on. And thank you again for advice on lacquer wears.
 
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