The Dark Side...

B

Burt Foster

Joined
Jul 1, 2003
Messages
270
Even as a Master Bladesmith you still run the risk of being lured by the Dark Side. Sadly, such is the case with me. After years of forging blades to shape (the way it is supposed to be done) and flat grinding with a convex edge (the only way to ensure maximum cutting performance), I have been seduced. This little knife was not forged to shape, just banged on with a hammer (women gasp, and men "harrumph"), and if that were not enough, I actually hollow ground it (children weeping), and you know what, I love it! As we speak, paperwork has been started to forcibly excommunicate me from the ABS.

Maybe.

In any case it was kinda fun. This is the first knife I've ever hollow ground, and no offense to the hollow grinding crowd, but YOU GUYS ARE GENIUSES! Hollow grinding is so easy and fast (once you've been flat grinding for years) that it practically grinds itself.

Anyway, this little thing was "forged" from 1095, and ground to a 400 grit belt finish. No scales, just steel. I'll be making these in damascus, too. I think a little leather belt sheath, either horizontal or vertical or even a kydex neck sheath option would all work well.

I won't likely be changing the way I make any of my other knives, but this one was kinda fun, and would make a great, simple carry knife - despite all the obvious flaws in craftsmanship. :D:D:D

hunter092-small.jpg
 
Holler ground..?..........For shaaaaaaame..!

Actually, it looks like a pretty slick/handy little knife...
 
burt....i love it....too bad you'll be thrown out of the abs though:D....ryan

p.s.-could u email me pricing on these.... rhurley9 at optonline dot net ....u should do a wharncliffe version:thumbup:.....ryan
 
Oh shit! Now I have to find another hero and they are so hard to come by. Please come back into the light Burt...

Paul
 
Put 4 or 5 of these on your table and they are GONE!

Way cool Burt. :thumbup:

Roger
 
I don't get it. What's the attraction towards these steel handle knives we are seeing more and more of?
Certainly, must not be the comfort in hand, or the looks IMHO. :confused:

I agree, they would probably fly off the show table, but WHY?

Burt, not picking on you, just this type knife in general. ;) :)
 
At least you didn't make it out of 440C.;) Very nice:thumbup:
 
Kevin Jones said:
I don't get it. What's the attraction towards these steel handle knives we are seeing more and more of?
Certainly, must not be the comfort in hand, or the looks IMHO. :confused:

I agree, they would probably fly off the show table, but WHY?
Click to expand...
Well, In Burt's case,the answer is quite easy.
1. You can probably afford one
2. You can probably get one.;)
 
Sweet, Burt. (I'll be doing the same thing here shortly.)
I did hollow grinding on all of my blades for 6 years before I ever did a flat grind. After you can do a decent hollow grind, you can do a flat grind in the dark.

Kevin, people will buy the heck out of these knives - because they can.
There's a heck of a lot of people who will NOT buy M.S. knives - because they can't.
 
These are the kind of knives that people actually use, you know to cut stuff with.

Hats off to you Burt. I find the makers who have the "biggest tents" also are the most successful in the long run.
 
Kevin Jones said:
I don't get it. What's the attraction towards these steel handle knives we are seeing more and more of?
Certainly, must not be the comfort in hand, or the looks IMHO. :confused:

I agree, they would probably fly off the show table, but WHY?

Burt, not picking on you, just this type knife in general. ;) :)
Click to expand...

They are affordable, cool-looking (in the eyes of a great many), functional (the steel handle is fine - on a knife this small, it's not like you can put a lot of torque on the handle), easily portable, and they are affordable. Did I mention that last one twice? :)

There are a lot more people out there with the funds to take one of these home from a show than there are people with pockets deep enough to accomodate multi-thousand dollar damascus / ivory bowies.

I've always wondered why we didn't see more of these types of knives from the forged blade makers.

Roger
 
I like that Burt. I think it'll look good and sell like hot cakes in Damascus too.
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
Kevin, people will buy the heck out of these knives - because they can.
There's a heck of a lot of people who will NOT buy M.S. knives - because they can't.
Click to expand...

I'm more addressing "the style knife" rather than who made it or what it cost.

I saw a similar knife posted on another forum the other day by a maker I was not familiar with (probably a newer maker) and it received the same "beautiful", "cool", "love it's".

My question is more, what's so beautiful and cool about it? Or simply, what specifically do you like about this style knife?

Some collectors are more interested in knife aesthetics and others the ergonomics and some a combination of both, where does this style knife fit in?

I realize established makers are starting to make these knives because they are quick and easy to make so they are profitable.

Not trying to be difficult here, just curious and think these are interesting questions.
 
Kevin, maybe it's the simplicity but it's probably the perceived price that is most attractive.

I've actually thought a lot about making some very simple knives but just don't have the time :)
 
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'Hobo knives':D
that's awesome.
ps. it is a real nice design.
 
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