The "Ask Nathan a Question" Thread

SwarthyGnome said:
Hi Nathan. Have you actually done testing with the UF/UF2 on…”meat?”
Do you know if Mr. Landphair or his cohort have actually used this knife in the field?
Is this too serious a question to address? Thanks!
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Jason told me that getting a confirmed kill with a knife is vanishingly rare but someone on his team actually did, although it was not with one of mine.

No, to the best of my knowledge none of my fighters have ever killed anybody. Plenty of them have been in combat, but 99% of the time a combat knife is used to cut, pry and scrape just like anybody else. Only that it needs to be able to be used as a weapon should the need arise. To my knowledge that hasn't happened, but people aren't necessarily going to get back with me with that information if it did.

The 8" Shiv, the larger and less practical older brother of the utility fighter, has stabbed a bunch of pigs.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
I'm going to try to have a prototype at Blade and hopefully the pre-production prototype run by the end of the year. It may yield 50-100 workable folders, it may not. Production of folders would probably start next year once we've validated the designs and production process.
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Let me know when you decide to make one for those of us with gnome hands...


Here's me holding a 4" blade.
T8xqJZV.jpg
 
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I'm very sorry about your tiny tiny gnome like hands. You're very brave.

I'll do the full-size folding field knife first but I'll eventually do a smaller folder too. I want to start with something big so if it's a disappointment, it will be a big disappointment.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
I'm very sorry about your tiny tiny gnome like hands. You're very brave.

I'll do the full-size folding field knife first but I'll eventually do a smaller folder too. I want to start with something big so if it's a disappointment, it will be a big disappointment.
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I'm sure it'll be complete success. :)

I think starting off with a 4" blade is definitely the way to go. Your knives are known for being able to take whatever we throw at them. I think a folder of the same pedigree will go over really well with your customers.

When a folder with a 3" - 3.5" blade that I can EDC on a regular basis comes to light, I'll be waiting with cash in hand. :)
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
I'm very sorry about your tiny tiny gnome like hands. You're very brave.

I'll do the full-size folding field knife first but I'll eventually do a smaller folder too. I want to start with something big so if it's a disappointment, it will be a big disappointment.
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again I'm happy to offer my assistance on testing a prototype folder.....

I'll keep trying hahahaha
 
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Fixall said:
I'm sure it'll be complete success. :)

I think starting off with a 4" blade is definitely the way to go. Your knives are known for being able to take whatever we throw at them. I think a folder of the same pedigree will go over really well with your customers.

When a folder with a 3" - 3.5" blade that I can EDC on a regular basis comes to light, I'll be waiting with cash in my teeny tiny hands. :)
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fyp
 
Hey Nathan, I have some old overhead crane control housings from 1964, according to the stamp on one of the panels. The switch boards appear similar to the paper micarta you guys have been using, splotchy brown. Are there any discerning characteristics to look for that would identify it?
I didnt mess with it, my luck, its pure asbestos..
 
BIGDORK said:
Hey Nathan, I have some old overhead crane control housings from 1964, according to the stamp on one of the panels. The switch boards appear similar to the paper micarta you guys have been using, splotchy brown. Are there any discerning characteristics to look for that would identify it?
I didnt mess with it, my luck, its pure asbestos..
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I don't know how to answer this question.

I have tested most of the antique materials that've used and so far it has all been free of asbestos. Also, the dangers of asbestos are hugely overblown. If you're working with the raw fiber on a regular basis such as one of the people who used to use it as loose fill insulation, that's bad. But once it is encapsulated in something like a resin it's pretty harmless unless you pulverize it and start snorting lines of it.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
I don't know how to answer this question.

I have tested most of the antique materials that've used and so far it has all been free of asbestos. Also, the dangers of asbestos are hugely overblown. If you're working with the raw fiber on a regular basis such as one of the people who used to use it as loose fill insulation, that's bad. But once it is encapsulated in something like a resin it's pretty harmless unless you pulverize it and start snorting lines of it.
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I should have phrased it better, I really just wanted to know if there is a way to tell if it is micarta?
If it is, is it a micarta that you guys would be interested in having if i remove it from its current home?
There are 3 of these boards about an inch thick, roughly 18"x24"

ETA: this might be junk I dont know, I just did not want to mess with it in the chance that it might be some type of asbestos insulator, I probably wont be doing any lines of it either way :D
DWbFljs.jpg
 
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BIGDORK said:
I should have phrased it better, I really just wanted to know if there is a way to tell if it is micarta?
If it is, is it a micarta that you guys would be interested in having if i remove it from its current home?
There are 3 of these boards about an inch thick, roughly 18"x24"

ETA: this might be junk I dont know, I just did not want to mess with it in the chance that it might be some type of asbestos insulator, I probably wont be doing any lines of it either way :D
DWbFljs.jpg
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Given the application, that is almost certainly paper-based micarta. And there would be no reason for them to use asbestos in that application. Yes, that is probably some pretty choice stuff. May or may not be Westinghouse, unless there's a label or it comes out of Westinghouse switchgear, I don't know how to tell.

Yes, absolutely I would like some of that. I'm sure there is some salvageable material in it. If you'll send it to me, I'll send you some scales made from it.
 
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