Trapper by Rusty Preston

[rprocter]

some months ago A G Russell posted (in traditionals ?) that he had been to a Blade show and was impressed by Rusty Preston and his knives. i contacted Rusty and this is the result. 4 1/4" trapper, clip & sheepfoot blades, CPM 154; frame 410, dovetail bolsters of 416; fileworked liners and springs; undyed Sanbar stag handles.
to my level of discrimination, the fit is perfect. walk & talk buttery smooth, half stops, solid lock-up and very crisp closing snap. and yes, very sharp.
pics below do not do justice to the knife. it is cold enough outside that camera batteries drain out as i try to focus and too dark inside to not use a flash. (typical cold, gray, Kootenay winter day). roland

 

[JatMat]

Mighty fine looking knife, love the file work, thanks for sharing.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

James

 

[sheathmaker]

I became aware of Rusty's work just recently and had a chance to meet him at Johnny Stout's last hammer in. His work is supberb and getting better with each knife. He would definitely be a cadidate for anyone's "up and coming makers" list.

That is a beautiful knife you posted.

Paul

 

[Lorien]

are those dovetailed bolsters and liners one piece?
I love the way he machined that stag down to give grip in the right spot!
That filework is totally awesome!
That is one great knife you got yourself my friend.:thumbup:

 

[rprocter]

yes, bolsters and liner are milled from 1 piece. thanks for the compliments (which of course belong to Rusty). my only disapointment is that i sent Rusty some elk antlers i had found on my property and hoped they might become the handle material for this knife. he has used it for 1 knife so far and has enough for a few more. roland

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Slipjoints are about the only knives that I like filework on. This one looks very good.

 

[sierra11b]

Only become aware of Rusty Preston in the last 6 months. His work is unique in his own right when compared to Mr. Ruple's. I only say this because I have a somewhat harder time telling some knives from Morrow and Ruple apart. I like Rusty's work a lot. Heck, I love all their work.

 

[rprocter]

Sierra, if Ruple or Morrow have websites, could you post a link ? thanks, roland

 

[sierra11b]

Here you go

http://www.rupleknives.com/index.html

http://www.morrowknives.com/index.shtml

All three great makers. I have owned one from Ruple and intend to own one from all three eventually. IIRC Bill taught Don and Rusty. You'll see this after staring at the filework of all three makers.

 

[RogerP]

Niiiiiice! Congrats.

Roger

 

[Bastid]

That does look great. Looks like another maker who has been working with Bill Ruple.
Bill has helped a lot of folks along the way.

Speaking of Johnny, I picked up an order from him at Blade. His work on this one is as nice as any I have seen.

Congrats Roland!

 

[rprocter]

making a correction here: bolsters are spot welded to liners; i.e. they are not milled from 1 piece. roland