- Joined
- May 8, 2011
- Messages
- 357
I have said it once, twice, 3 times, and maybe even 4, 5, or 6 times...Andrew Clifford is just about the Best survival and Bowie knife maker to date. Whether it be hollow handle knives or his original design full round tang knives, his knives are Built To Last and Built To Use, especially in the most extreme survival and combat cases!!
One of my favorite Andrew Clifford handmade knives, aka ACK Knives, is the very first Andrew Clifford Knife I bought. It belonged to a US Military Special Forces soldier.
This soldier, stationed in the Mid East, had contacted Andy in 2002. He asked Andy to come up with a survival knife design that was built like a tank, had a decently length blade, round style handle, and one that could do it All but that was easily controlled in the hands and yet light enuff to add to his daily Recon uniform.
Andy came up with his full round tang design. He gave the knife build a 440C steel blade that is just over 8" long...closer to 9". The thickness, he made slightly thicker than 5/32". Andy also gave it a 5 1/4" handle. The pommel has a hole in it for a lanyard. The pommel is also made to break glass.
Then Andy wrapped the handle with beautiful military-grade dual color para cord. He sent his design idea to the soldier prior to making the knife. The soldier approved the knife build and Andy went to work.
He also added split serrations and raker teeth to the knife build. When Andy was finished, he Shipped the knife to this US soldier.
The story is that the soldier Loved the knife tight away, paid Andy for it. The knife was/is extremely strong and could do anything the soldier wanted it to be able to do. And it was also light enough to add to his uniform.
The soldier used his handmade ACK knife in both Mid East wars, which he was part of. I did not know any of this until I saw the knife being auctioned on Ebay back in 2010. I saw the knife and read the story about it. Andy confirmed that he did make the knife for a US soldier and had kept in contact for awhile until he started not getting replies. He said he isn't sure what happened to the guy at that point.
A couple of other people also confirmed the story. I won this knife and sure enough, when I received it, on the back of the custom made sheath that Andy also made for the knife... was hand signed by Andrew Clifford. It also has the 2002 date on it that it was made. It also has the old address where Andy was living at the time. All handwritren by Andrew Clifford.
When I received the knife, the blade was, and still is, in great shape. But there were Yellowy-Red stain spots on it. I verified it was Not rust.
I learned then, that the US Soldier had actually used the knife during real combat and war-time battle. So these stains could of quite possibly been real blood stains from that time of war. I have since dura coated the blade to preserve it
However, looking back now, I wish I had not done that. As for the Doldier...the original owner of this knife, I was told that he got killed. And his family grieved terribly over his death.
And they paid a service to sell his knife for them on Ebay, along with other items he had during his military service because they felt it was best.
Still, whether the Selling story is true or not, I still dont get why they would Not want to keep things like this of his. I would think they'd keep this knife of his simply out of respect and honor. But everone thinks and gets past grief in different ways.
Regardless though, I do know one thing...that I am very honored and privileged to own this particular ACK custom knife. The story behind it makes it absolutely Priceless! And despite at least a dozen people so far, trying to buy this knife, and their pretty pricey money offers for it, this knife isn't going Anywhere!! It has a permanent home and permanent owner...with Me!! Thanks for reading!!
One of my favorite Andrew Clifford handmade knives, aka ACK Knives, is the very first Andrew Clifford Knife I bought. It belonged to a US Military Special Forces soldier.
This soldier, stationed in the Mid East, had contacted Andy in 2002. He asked Andy to come up with a survival knife design that was built like a tank, had a decently length blade, round style handle, and one that could do it All but that was easily controlled in the hands and yet light enuff to add to his daily Recon uniform.
Andy came up with his full round tang design. He gave the knife build a 440C steel blade that is just over 8" long...closer to 9". The thickness, he made slightly thicker than 5/32". Andy also gave it a 5 1/4" handle. The pommel has a hole in it for a lanyard. The pommel is also made to break glass.
Then Andy wrapped the handle with beautiful military-grade dual color para cord. He sent his design idea to the soldier prior to making the knife. The soldier approved the knife build and Andy went to work.
He also added split serrations and raker teeth to the knife build. When Andy was finished, he Shipped the knife to this US soldier.
The story is that the soldier Loved the knife tight away, paid Andy for it. The knife was/is extremely strong and could do anything the soldier wanted it to be able to do. And it was also light enough to add to his uniform.
The soldier used his handmade ACK knife in both Mid East wars, which he was part of. I did not know any of this until I saw the knife being auctioned on Ebay back in 2010. I saw the knife and read the story about it. Andy confirmed that he did make the knife for a US soldier and had kept in contact for awhile until he started not getting replies. He said he isn't sure what happened to the guy at that point.
A couple of other people also confirmed the story. I won this knife and sure enough, when I received it, on the back of the custom made sheath that Andy also made for the knife... was hand signed by Andrew Clifford. It also has the 2002 date on it that it was made. It also has the old address where Andy was living at the time. All handwritren by Andrew Clifford.
When I received the knife, the blade was, and still is, in great shape. But there were Yellowy-Red stain spots on it. I verified it was Not rust.
I learned then, that the US Soldier had actually used the knife during real combat and war-time battle. So these stains could of quite possibly been real blood stains from that time of war. I have since dura coated the blade to preserve it
However, looking back now, I wish I had not done that. As for the Doldier...the original owner of this knife, I was told that he got killed. And his family grieved terribly over his death.
And they paid a service to sell his knife for them on Ebay, along with other items he had during his military service because they felt it was best.
Still, whether the Selling story is true or not, I still dont get why they would Not want to keep things like this of his. I would think they'd keep this knife of his simply out of respect and honor. But everone thinks and gets past grief in different ways.
Regardless though, I do know one thing...that I am very honored and privileged to own this particular ACK custom knife. The story behind it makes it absolutely Priceless! And despite at least a dozen people so far, trying to buy this knife, and their pretty pricey money offers for it, this knife isn't going Anywhere!! It has a permanent home and permanent owner...with Me!! Thanks for reading!!
