The Work of Rob Brown???

Megalobyte

Megalobyte

Joined
Jun 5, 2002
Messages
2,761
Hi all. I have seen pictures only of some of this South African makers work, and it looks super clean, with, as far as i can see from a picture, great F&F. Anyone own one of his and if so, what can you tell me about his quality? Thanks.
 
Sorry to say I haven't handled one of his knives, but I've been to his site often and I'm in deep lust for several of his knives. There isn't a doubt in my mind that his knives live up to the images on his website. If I had the money I would have ordered from him already.

http://www.robbrownknives.com./
 
I've commissioned 2 pieces from him, but haven't received them yet. I heard good things about him from other SA makers, and decided to go ahead.

The one drawback with dealing with someone in RSA is that they cannot ship ivory to the US. So if you want ivory, you need to buy *here* some type of *fossil* ivory and ship it to him.

JD
 
I have one on order form Bob Brown for almost a year now even though i never handled one of his knifes, he emailed me letting me know he was having a hard time getting ivory for it and he would have to use mastodon ivory instead and that's the last time i heard from him months ago, i'm emailing him now. I just noticed his site is down, i was going to post a picture of the Michael Price boot dagger i ordered, it's a beauty. BTW thanks JD, i hope i don't have to buy mastodon ivory here and ship it to him?

James
 
As far as I'm concerned, I have nothing to reproach to Rob: he told me early one that (1) African Ivory was out of the question and that (2) he might not be able to get Mastodon Ivory from RSA. The key issue is that the price he would pay for African Ivory in RSA is much less, in $ terms, than what Mastodon Ivory goes for. I've had no problem at all dealing with him - in fact, it went very smoothly during the design stage, despite some specific requirements.

JD
 
I had emaled him last week about ordering a knife, and he did get back to me fairly quickly and told me about not being able to ship the knife with ivory to the US and that he has about a 6 month wait. So, he mentioned he could outsource mammoth ivory, which is OK with me as i actually prefer mammoth ivory, though i admit his subhilts look so clean and elegant with the white elephant ivory. Oh well, i too think his F&F is very good, though im going only on what im hearing and the pictures i have seen. Come on guys, there must be SOMEONE out there who already has one and can tell us firsthand how his quality is. :)
 
Megalobyte,

Just make sure you get a good understanding of who buys the ivory, how much of the price is allocated for it, etc. In my case, he had allocated a fairly small amount for the ivory, probably based on the prices he is used to in RSA, which I think will be insufficient for mammoth ivory.

JD
 
I don't have a problem with Rob Brown, but when i ordered my knife he said nothing about any problem with the ivory or any extra money for it, i ordered his boot dagger for the price he listed it at and that was it until months later he emailed me about having a hard time getting any ivory.

I just looked through me emails with Rob and i got this from him to me about the knife that i ordered "Somehow, we never got onto discussing the ivory on your knife handle when you placed your order" and then after telling me the situation on the ivory as it stands today i got "I am trying to obtain a permit at the moment and if unsuccessful will revert to using mammoth ivory on your knife." and that was it.

I hope that makes it more clear, anyway i will hear form Rob soon i'm sure and i should have emailed him earlier.


James
 
I remember reading a post about a camp knife someone got from him. They spoke highly about it being a good knife and a good value. Someone with search capability can probably turn it up easy enough.
 
I wasn't going to post this photo until I have the facts for the accompanying text confirmed, but here you go. (I'll post the story behind this knife as soon as I get confirmation; I will also post a better photograph - this one was just a trial shot.)

Quality of Rob Brown's knives? OUTSTANDING!
 

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Originally posted by APM
...when i ordered my knife he said nothing about any problem with the ivory or any extra money for it,

James
Click to expand...

Isn't the cost listed on the page of his website titled "Optional Extras"?

Anyway, if you haven't received your knife yet - it will be WELL worth the wait, believe me!
 
I have a model 83 horn semi-skinner and it's just plain beautiful. I swear I'm going to use it some day but that polish is so perfect it will have to be a real special occasion. The jigged giraffe bone handle looks more like good stag than a lot of stag I've seen lately.
I have a large Michael Price boot with ebony handles and a California dirk with black buffalo handles coming. We communicated about ivory but what a pain it seems to be. Anyway, the ebony and horn are also indigineous to Africa.
I ordered last March and am expecting them by Christmas. Some of that delay was my fault for unexpected financial shortfall but I think he said he has about an 8 month backlog. The 83 that I got was one he had in the shop at the time so I bought it to get a look at his work. I'm no expert on custom knives but I know that just handling this little utility knife feels real good. If you haven't checked out his work yet here's the website:

http://www.robbrownknives.com/index.php

DaveJ

Just checked the e-mail a minute ago and there was a message from Rob letting me know the California dirk is ready. The Micheal Price Frisco boot will be a while yet, it goes to the heat treater the end of November.

Yippeee!!!
 
Yes i believe it will be well worth the wait cockroachfarm, i know a winner when i see one and Rob Brown's knifes are some of the best i have ever seen and his prices are going no where but up IMO! BTW i love that picture you posted cockroachfarm, killer knife.

Dave, i see you went for ebony for your large Michael Price boot dagger, mine is the small one, hope i get it by Christmas too with mammoth ivory, anyway i will work it out with Rob, can't wait to get it.

Cheers!
James
 
Originally posted by APM
....i love that picture you posted cockroachfarm, killer knife...
Click to expand...

Wait 'til you read the story behind the wood that Rob used to make the handles. And I'll post a better quality photo.
 
Simply, Rob Brown is an outstanding knifemaker. His knives are first class, refined, functional works of art. He is an extremely well respected knifemaker in his country of South Africa. It is impressive to me that that many other South African knifemakers have a Brown knife in their own personal collection. He has won numberous awards in for his design and workmanship. Moreover he is a calm and positive demeanored individual to talk and deal with. I can see him now - pipe in hand enjoying knife conversation with his fellow South African knifemakers.

I have never seen a picture of a Brown knife that does it justice - they are always better to hold in person. His collaborations with Sharon Burger, one of the top scrimshaw artists in the world, take his art to another level.

have a good one,

Larry Connelley
 
Rob just emailed me and told me he will have a "permit" in about 4-5 weeks so i should have my knife soon after that! :D

I very proud to say Rob told me i was his "first customer off my site", and i know Larry's right about them being better in person then any picture for sure, kind of hard to believe since his knifes look so darn good from all the pictures i have seen, but like i said i'm sure Larry's right and i can't wait to handle my Michael Price boot dagger asap. Before Christmas is good enough for me.

Cheers!
James
 
I just received my first Rob Brown knife, a 7" double edged, mirror finish sub hilt fighter with buffalo horn handle. In a word, WOW! I am always seeking a truly perfect knife, a very elusive animal, and true, this knife isnt absolutely flawless, but really, youll always find at least something on any custom if youre anal enough and look closely enough, but folks, this knife is put togehter so beautifully, so cleanly, its a marvel, and the blade is so beautifully ground, with a truly flawless mirror finish. No haizness or swirl to it at all, pure, deep mirror, flawless! I own some very nice, very high-end customs, some by some of the better makers like Corbit, Pease, Dake, Pardue etc, and this knife has fit and finish that is truly remarkable, to call it smooth and clean is an understatement, the look and feel is incredible, everything done so precisely, take it from the world's most anal knife collector, if you appreciate extremely well made knives, you cant beat this, what a value at $500. The epitome of a well put together knife.

I will certainly buy more from him, probably one of those Price daggers. Also, seemingly a great value.

BIG thumbs up from a VERY anal, very hard to please collector!!!

knifeart_1712_10659495
 
Nope, KnifeArt. I was just holding it again, and once again, WOW! Clean, clean, clean!!! :) It takes a lot to impress me with fit and finish, and I'm impressed! About as close to a perfect knife as i have seen. It screams precision and quality. GET ONE!!! :)
 
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