The Dark Side...

peterinct said:
I think it is COOL simply because it IS made to be used.
Kevin, I think what you don't understand about it is that it is NOT a collector piece.
Peter
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What I understand Peter, is that for me it doesn't fall into the collector or user category, but somewhere in between. I think it's made to be sold quickly at a good profit margin.

Now if one's idea of use, is proudly carrying it on your belt, opening envelopes or cutting the tape to open a box, then it's a user.
If one uses a knife for more "real work" such as cutting banding/shrink wrap from pallets on a sub freezing construction site for a couple hours, sharpening a dozed tent stakes, or dressing small games for a couple hours then perhaps not.

I could actually see this piece as more a collector piece than a real user in that's it's (at least now) out of Burt's norm.

RogerP said:
I think that sometimes we (and I include myself here) can lose perspective on knife collecting. A collection of inexpensive, but well-designed and made custom knives is no less valid than one of high end bowies, daggers or folders.
Roger
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I totally agree with this statement. I'm not the knife snob that some seem to be suggusting.
Again, I'm not trying to trash Burt or his knife here, just saying I was surprised with it receiving so much praise as one would expect of one of his very complex pieces. All I asked is for those who see it as beautiful/great to share reason for such.
 
Burt Foster said:
Gosh, I'm just stirrin' up controversy every where I go! :D:D And thanks for the compliments on the knife.

For those of you who wanted more information on price and availability, and since I can't seem to remember how to use the private / instant message thing here on BF,:confused: if you want me to let you know when I have some of these available, send me an old-fashioned email at burt@burtfoster.com.

Thanks!
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Burt, not trying to stir up controversy here just throwing out some thoughts for productive discussion. :)
 
i would think sometimes makers like burt like to take a break from all the ivory and damascus bowies and make something THEY want to make for FUN.....ryan
 
I like the knife. Have a Todd Begg all-steel knife called the Roadrunner that is fairly similar. Paul Long made a pocket sheath for me, and I carry and use it as a front-pocket carry EDC when the mood suits.

I have a hard time seeing this knife as a long term use knife(like peeling potatoes for hours) without wrapping the handle with leather or paracord....but that is up to the purchaser/user.

Would care for the knife MUCH more than I do if it was made of damascus, and if the lanyard supplied didn't look like a four year old tied it, and was of Burt's great leather, but again, that is personal preference.

I see where Kevin is coming from, and he makes some good points...if a "no-name" maker produced this knife it might be looked at as too "basic" for a comfortable user, and certainly too rustic for a collectible.

Jason,

The word is HERETIC, as in the heresy of an ABS Smith not doing a flat grind.:D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kevin,

You make some good points about what qualifies as a collectible or a user, but there may be a third category. A daily carry knife, is not so much a user as for most guys, it will not see a lot of action in any day. Any knife I carry gets taken out to cut a piece of string or open a box, or to cut a drinking straw down so it's not sticking up 10" above the top of the little Coke that comes with a kid's meal. That's the most use most of my "carry" knives see on a given day.

So I see this as an EDC more than a user as you've defined it. I've made trade-off's in weight and girth so it's more comfortable to carry around, even if it wouldn't take the hours of field dressing as well as a knife with a real handle.

The same debate takes place with handguns all the time. The "real men" won't go out with anything less than a government model .45 because it can do the job. And no offense to those guys, but most people who've tried that get tired of wearing a photo journalism vest all year and get tired of lugging 3 lbs. of steel and lead around and never needing it. So eventually they settle for a much more comfortable "sissy gun" which will likely suit them just fine this side of a war.
 
Burt Foster said:
Any knife I carry gets taken out to cut a piece of string or open a box, or to cut a drinking straw down so it's not sticking up 10" above the top of the little Coke that comes with a kid's meal. That's the most use most of my "carry" knives see on a given day.
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He he he! Exactly what I take the time to do with my carry knife on a regular basis. It gives me a sense of purpose. :D

I find these 'plate' knives unappealing, to me. It doesn't matter who makes them. Skeleton knives and neck knives all have the same basis.

All that said, I am not the target market, nor am I a target market for a manicure, but there seems to be a salon in every strip mall in my town, raking it in. So what do I know....? ;)

As these type knives go, it's especially nice. A good way to capture a BF blade on the cheap.

Coop
 
Burt Foster said:
Kevin,

You make some good points about what qualifies as a collectible or a user, but there may be a third category. A daily carry knife, is not so much a user as for most guys, it will not see a lot of action in any day. Any knife I carry gets taken out to cut a piece of string or open a box, or to cut a drinking straw down so it's not sticking up 10" above the top of the little Coke that comes with a kid's meal. That's the most use most of my "carry" knives see on a given day.

So I see this as an EDC more than a user as you've defined it. I've made trade-off's in weight and girth so it's more comfortable to carry around, even if it wouldn't take the hours of field dressing as well as a knife with a real handle.

The same debate takes place with handguns all the time. The "real men" won't go out with anything less than a government model .45 because it can do the job. And no offense to those guys, but most people who've tried that get tired of wearing a photo journalism vest all year and get tired of lugging 3 lbs. of steel and lead around and never needing it. So eventually they settle for a much more comfortable "sissy gun" which will likely suit them just fine this side of a war.
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Hey Burt,

That is exactly how I've always felt about an "edc" --- it gets carried WAY more than it gets used, so it needs to be comfortable to carry. I'm surprised more makers have not thought through how their blades will get carried. You have the leather skills to make a nice and functional sheath for EDC use ---- may I suggest one that "disappears" in the pocket or IWB, just my preference.

With that said, on the knife I'd still want some slim slabs made of something pretty (what can I say, when I pull it out, to cut that string, I want it to cut good AND look good :D).

This was a cool thead, thanks to everyone for the healthy dialogue :thumbup:
 
I want one of these 'sissy, hobo knives':)
ASAP!:D
 
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. ;) :)
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I agree ! I tend to stay away from knives like this one pictured but... I love the way this looks and would seriously consider purchasing one at a show.

Very nice , I mostly like the overall shape of the blade , this is the sort of knife I would make , were I a maker. :D

tostig
 
The Buck Hartsook is a production knife that is just as simple, and it is very popular and per this forum, and some non-knife knuts I know, it gets used.

People, such as me, regularly use these types of knives because they are light weight, convenient, non-threatening, pocket friendly fixed blades. I have a tiny one by Sean Perkins that is the best little knife for processing brussel sprouts (cut off the end, cut in a cross, etc.). It is designed quite well and there is no hand fatigue.

THANKs for this refreshing comment:

"A collection of inexpensive, but well-designed and made custom knives is no less valid than one of high end bowies, daggers or folders."

That is my collector's niche, and I have fun. Add into the mix, used knives (I have one of those Hanson's that were made 3 in a day) and it can even get more interesting...and its affordable.
 
Brownshoe, oh no, not one of those. Hope it still cuts! :D

Now see, if Kevin hadn't asked the question, this would not be as interesting.
 
Burt Foster said:
Kevin,

You make some good points about what qualifies as a collectible or a user, but there may be a third category. A daily carry knife, is not so much a user as for most guys, it will not see a lot of action in any day. Any knife I carry gets taken out to cut a piece of string or open a box, or to cut a drinking straw down so it's not sticking up 10" above the top of the little Coke that comes with a kid's meal. That's the most use most of my "carry" knives see on a given day.

So I see this as an EDC more than a user as you've defined it. I've made trade-off's in weight and girth so it's more comfortable to carry around, even if it wouldn't take the hours of field dressing as well as a knife with a real handle.

The same debate takes place with handguns all the time. The "real men" won't go out with anything less than a government model .45 because it can do the job. And no offense to those guys, but most people who've tried that get tired of wearing a photo journalism vest all year and get tired of lugging 3 lbs. of steel and lead around and never needing it. So eventually they settle for a much more comfortable "sissy gun" which will likely suit them just fine this side of a war.
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if you can't handle a full sized .45, then a Commander sized Ed Brown Bobtail makes for a nice "sissy gun":D
 
Want some more heresy? If you don't like the all steel look, you could just ask Burt to do a smooth finish, drill a couple of holes and throw a set of G10 scales on it.:eek::D
 
Well, I actually see this knife and it looks like it would fit a hand really well. Something about it looks really ergonomic to me! Seriously! I guess I'd prefer scales on the handles but the SHAPE looks great to me.

I am not gonna pretend Im an expert on grinds. I really don't know the advantages/disadvantages with a hollow grind. (please don't yell at me). This looks like a great using knife to me though and one that you might not be afraid of scratching.

Another point is that some people collect knives for the NAME. So now someone with out much disposable income can grab a knife by their favorite maker!
 
I just saw a whole bunch of ABS Master Smith Joe Keeslar's 'brut de forge' knives that were rough-forge sided and hollow ground...

BrutDeForge.jpg


...this is so 'been there/done that', Burt.

You're obviously a talentless hack, and I can't stand you.

Call me when you've got one of these available, 'kay?
 
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