The Horrigan Twins, John Horrigan, MS

ptgdvc

ptgdvc

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The Horrigan Twins, John Horrigan, MS

This pair is very much off the path of my usual forged favorites, but when I saw them on John Horrigan's table at the Blade show, I knew they were must have pieces. I asked him to use very coarse micarta scales that are a bit different from his norm, to make this pair distinct. 440c stainless is the steel. I think that they came out superbly.

There is a bit of Kydex residue on the guards that I did not bother to clean off. Although John would be the first to tell you that they are raw users, there is no mistaking his quality control and pride in his finished product.

They are built for serious use and abuse. :thumbup:

Here is a link to more images of the twins: http://www.fototime.com/inv/FCD287EC9CB660C

Here is a link to John's website: http://eliteknives.com/

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Here is one in the sun.

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1) I really like the blade shape on the spearpoint.

2) I have an unthinking and completely unjustifiable prejudice against 440-C (or anything in the 440 line), to the point that I won't buy anything in 440 except 80's era presentation pieces. If someone wants to re-educate me on 440, I'd appreciate it.
 
Gabe,

Funny you should say that, John and were just discussing a fancy forged set with Ironwood handles for next year!

This one maybe a little more your style:

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Best,
P
 
Better check that those things don't come with a draft card - lookslike serious military hardware to me. ;) Terrific pair - I can see why you were drawn to them. Now go beat on them!

Roger
 
Gabe Newell said:
1) 2) I have an unthinking and completely unjustifiable prejudice against 440-C (or anything in the 440 line), to the point that I won't buy anything in 440 except 80's era presentation pieces. If someone wants to re-educate me on 440, I'd appreciate it.
Click to expand...

440C is excellent steel!

It was the first stainless commonly used in knives. Gil Hibben used to get it in round stock, and FORGE it down into usable knife thicknesses. This was in the late 60's/early 70's.

It has excellent rust resistance, and takes and holds an edge well. It is not the perfect steel, nothing is. However, if you like mirror finishes, is it fantastic.

There are three parts to the downfall of 440c.

1. As any steel, 440C is VERY dependant upon proper heat treat, and there were a lot of makers in the '80's that were not heat treating properly. They were getting it too hard or too soft.

2. People were confusing 440C with 440A and 440B, and there was a mixture of differing results and expectations. 440C does not, IMHO, yield to bead blasting very well, but most stainless does not. Bead blasting, especially coarse bead blasting tears open the pores of the steel, exposing them to the elements.

3. 154CM, ATS-34, BG42......and other steels became the "flavor of the month", and were no longer interesting to certain segments of the industry.

That is as much as I know.

Nice knives, Peter! Sad story, too. And as you can see by his listing of the steel in the Horrigan knives as 440 steel, rather than qualifying it, even PTG is CONFUSED!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I'm going through a period of rethinking my allegiance to the steel-of-the-month club, and wondering what exactly is wrong with L-6, 52100, O-1, ....

It all started when I sharpened an S30-V blade followed by a 52100 blade.

If I start extolling the virtues of chert, it's time to put me down.
 
RogerP said:
Better check that those things don't come with a draft card - lookslike serious military hardware to me. ;) Terrific pair - I can see why you were drawn to them. Now go beat on them!

Roger
Click to expand...

Okay, Peter.. got you signed up for a tour in the "sandbox" with those puppies... very cool, indeed! Nice score!
 
Two very :cool: fighters.
The coarse micarta belongs on this pair. :thumbup:

Doug
 
Kohai999 said:
440C is excellent steel!

It was the first stainless commonly used in knives. Gil Hibben used to get it in round stock, and FORGE it down into usable knife thicknesses. This was in the late 60's/early 70's.

It has excellent rust resistance, and takes and holds an edge well. It is not the perfect steel, nothing is. However, if you like mirror finishes, is it fantastic.

There are three parts to the downfall of 440c.

1. As any steel, 440C is VERY dependant upon proper heat treat, and there were a lot of makers in the '80's that were not heat treating properly. They were getting it too hard or too soft.

2. People were confusing 440C with 440A and 440B, and there was a mixture of differing results and expectations. 440C does not, IMHO, yield to bead blasting very well, but most stainless does not. Bead blasting, especially coarse bead blasting tears open the pores of the steel, exposing them to the elements.

3. 154CM, ATS-34, BG42......and other steels became the "flavor of the month", and were no longer interesting to certain segments of the industry.

That is as much as I know.

Nice knives, Peter! Sad story, too. And as you can see by his listing of the steel in the Horrigan knives as 440 steel, rather than qualifying it, even PTG is CONFUSED!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...


STeven is spot on. Walter Brend swears by 440-C for hard use knives when D-2 is not an option.
 
440-C is a fine steel that takes a great finish. It just isn't fashionable!

Peter, the "story" behind these knives make them worth owning. John's twin brother is a true American hero.


Gabe, its great to see you posting again. Please continue to grace us with your presence :)
 
Pete, I love those two Horrigan fighters. And, Gabe; the 440C blades are a good fit for the knives. Like Mr. Garsson put it, 440C is good stuff.
 
I own a Damscusus Horrigan master smith test Bowie. Wolf tooth Damascus. Pretty amazing.
 
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