The massive SP-10's appearance makes me smile...

PocketKnifeJimmy · May 27, 2018

I try to rotate the maintenace of my "Man Gadget Collection" on a regular basis. Everything eventually gets it's turn in a wipe down and overall inspection before going back on display (within my home's decor). Well, today I chose the contents of this display for that routine maintenance. The Cold Steel 1917 Frontier Bowie is obviously a beast, even by big bowie standards, but the Ontario SP-10 Marine Raider Bowie is a beast in it's own right! The heft and overall feel of it in hand, and that all business appearance... It's no wonder why it's done so well for OKC. It's an object that brings a smile to my face

That said, I wish Ontario would try offering it in another version as well, one having a polished stacked leather handle, (ala ka-bar style), and a parkerized blade, (phosphated). I'm sure the Ontario Engineers wouldn't have too much trouble setting up a jig where the same SP10 blade blank could be used. After the leather washers are compressed onto the tang, a newly designed buttcap can be secured to it using the same hole in the tang that is currently used on the standard SP10 (preferably pinned through the pommel & tang, not threaded on like the Freedom fighter or Chimera). It would be a very appropriate second version of this knife. I know some of their other knife blade styles get made up as different versions, like their USMC issue bayonet. That blade is not only offered as the bayonet, but also as the Freedom Fighter, the Chimera, and the SP-6. So, I think the ever popular SP-10 could do pretty well being sold as a leather handled/steel pommel/phosphated blade version

Roguer · May 27, 2018

That steel is just crying to be liberated and used!

PocketKnifeJimmy · May 27, 2018

"That steel is just crying to be liberated and used!"

Nah... bah humbug!

I'm not one to look at things as anything but that... things (non living/non feeling inanimate objects). Once I purchase these objects, I know that whatever I decide to do with them, is totally my choice (certainly not the object's choice, lol!)

Some folks strictly use/enjoy their tools for their function as tools. As for me, sure I use some of my tools as strictly tools, but... I also have this hobby of collecting things that I include throughout my home's interior decor, and they make me smile. From these objects, I expect nothing else, since they serve my purpose

Later today I will be getting a visit from a friend and her 12 year old son. She has seen my collection and shared that experience by telling her son all about it. He was so interested while hearing of it, that she asked if I could give him a tour, which I agreed to do.

Since my days of being a kid, I have enjoyed visits to certain museums, loving the visual splendor and the feeling I got from it. Now, I pretty much surround myself with things that give me that same feeling. Others have come to my dwelling and enjoyed it as well... How can that be wrong in any way!?
You know, I have entered plenty of people's homes in my lifetime, and although most have been very nice, their decors are usually not very exciting (read as boring). That's one thing my decor has never been guilty of

No, Sir, I've never heard any of my "things" crying... Not one wimper

But, I must admit, if it were possible for them to cry, it sure would make for an unbearably sad and loud place. Well, that, and the rust caused by the salty tears, would destroy everything!

I have about 50 or so displays that house most of my "Man Gadget Collection", them being scattered throughout my place. Here is one of them that has a couple of Ontario's products (along with some other brands of knives)...

Here is a display having a combined gun/knife theme...

Here is one with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor...

Here is one that fits that whole "PocketKnifeJimmy" thing...

Even on the walls of my dining room area, a unique and eclectic interior decor is present (and totally representing my likes/tastes/style)...

Just another example of how some fairly random/eclectic items have become a source for producing my own form of framed/boxed art...

Speaking of random & eclectic, the items in these next two pics, fit that for sure. They came about after I got done researching some things to use to make a presentation gift of some sort for my son's graduation of the police academy. I finished that project, and then purchased a set of USA made Peerless Company 100th year anniversary handcuffs, and some metal whistles made in England & USA. These two displays were born shortly after. There is a reason why I self title my hobby as a "Man Gadget Collection"... And, it's certainly very eclectic in nature

And here is my other SP-10, residing with a couple of other OKC products...

Yonose · May 30, 2018

Some of those blades do seem to be at least whimpering “let me out.” You are correct, knives don’t complain(not unlike soldiers, except the former are inanimate). Seriously, great collection, and great idea which seems like too many hours to do on my own(leather stacked handle for sp10) but a simple fix for Tooj’s genius and Dan’s skills.

bikerector · May 30, 2018

I love that you've made the knives art. I often view knives as "functional art," especially some of the crazyiness some of the custom makers come out with.

I never realized how big that frontier bowie is, such a beautiful knife. I like the combo with the sp-10 in that case.

I think the case with the estwing is my favorite though. I love a nicely polished big blade and you have a couple of them in there with a lot of interesting other things. Certainly a lot of conversation starters.

I'm jealous...

Yonose · May 30, 2018

^^ same here!

PocketKnifeJimmy · May 30, 2018

Thanks, guys.... I appreciate the kudos

As for the big bowie housed in the display case that has the Estwing axe, it's one of my Cold Steel Frontier Bowie knives (in 1085 steel) which I removed the bluing from it's blade (and then gave her a semi polished brushed sheen). All the work was done painstakingly slow and by hand, so there was absolutely no risk of hurting the blade's heat treatment. My other two Frontier Bowie knives, (one in 1055, the other in 1085), are kept in full factory stock condition, but I just had to have one in bare metal form

PocketKnifeJimmy · Jun 1, 2018

My latest acquisition, (an Ontario Kukri), made it's debut in my "Man Gadget Collection" today

It would certainly be much easier to just go to Marshalls and buy some run of the mill framed wall art... But, nah, I would certainly be bored with that

Half the fun is working on a new display idea. The display case for this one, (a rear loading shadow box), was purchased at a local craft store. I do much prefer front loading displays, but the Memorial Day sale they had going on, let me grab this one at 60% off (costing me $20 plus tax). It's interior having been all black, it was obvious that the black Ontario Kukri knife would have gotten lost in all of that. So, framing a patch of tan linen within the background, worked like a charm. Of course some mounting hardware needed to be thought out and installed as well, but I do like the end result, so the project was worth it to me

This pic shows only the partial mess I had going on as I brainstormed it's final look...

Roguer · Jun 1, 2018

Free some of that steel and try using it! You'll find you'll like using most of it! Note I said some, some other stuff ya got looks nifty under glass.

Good displayering and making them displayerite IMPRISONMENT

OF GOOD STEEL cases. They look cool!

PocketKnifeJimmy · Jun 2, 2018

Aww, poor things being imprisoned in such a cruel way. Them serving absolutely no purpose at all, (well, except for putting smiles on visitor's faces, causing great conversations, and making their owner happy).
To make matters even worse, I'm surrounded by these things!

Yup, have pity on these poor items, and for the poor owner that does not knoweth what he do. Have pity for these things being kept in pristine condition for posterity... Can we all now bow our heads and have a moment of silence, please