What do you think of this? *Video added*

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
Messages
9,437
Hey Guys- :)



This is Mean Little SOB.... the big brother to Mean Little Bastard. ;) :D



In between working on orders, I am exploring options/possibilities on ways that I can make knives in a "mid-range" category... Meaning they are nice enough to go in a collection (hand sanded finishes, or premium wood, or ???) but they are scaled back enough both in some of the finish details, and price---- so that they can be purchased by folks that want to use them.



This blade was hand forged from W1 drill rod, with the forged flats left in tact, 320X hand sanded bevels/spine/choil. The guard is 416 ss with satin finish all around. The handle is stabilized Desert Eucalyptus. The ss pin is flush, it is not domed. Oh, and the clip is sharp too. :)

OAL- 11-3/4" (no, it's actually not very little ;))
Blade- ~7-1/8"L x 1-5/16"W x ~1/4" thick at the guard


Please feel free to cuss & discuss: the knife, the idea behind it, etc. :)


Thanks for looking guys!

***edited to add video***


[video=youtube;z2eo2chhNxk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2eo2chhNxk[/video]



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I think you have a winner on your hands. Just gotta figure out how to put one in mine!
 
I really like this one Nick. I think this one bridges the collector/user gap nicely.
 
I like it Nick, it is a great idea behind it too.
Only thing I am unsure about (I am sweating just thinking of critiquing a Wheeler knife. :o) is the small angular heel of the blade versus a plain rounded one. I always remember something you said to me on one of my earlier knife about the way I had ended the cutting edge and how it stopped the eye. Well that's what this does for me. Of course maybe it's just because I am not use to seeing that and it will grow on me. Or more likely I simply have no idea what I am talking about. :o;)
 
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The following are nothing but personal opinions based on my own personal taste:

PROS:

I like the handle material.

I like the sharpened clip.

Ricasso and guard proportions are very appealing to me.

I am assuming that the fit is flawless (looks that way from the pics) as it has been on your other knives which I have seen.


CONS:

Not my favorite blade profile, especially the angular heel (as noted by Patrice).

The handle does not appear to be as shaped and ergonomic as on most of your other knives (maybe I would feel differently if I actually held the knife - I can only go by the picture). It does appear to have nice flow, though.

The location of the handle pin seems sort of random, and it just distracts from the appearance to me.

I really dislike "Brut de Forge."


Not something I would likely buy or use, but I don't think I am your target market.
 
I like it Nick, but where are you going to put the "WHEELER"?:D

I think the most important question is how do you feel about it? Maybe that's too heavy for this early in the morning, it's still morning here.

You've been super productive lately, good on you.

This is just a general question about definition and not directed at you personally. I had always understood "Brut de Forge." to include a forged finger groove and guard not just the ricasso left uncleaned. Am I wrong, or has the definition evolved some?

I tend to favor the classic WHEELER look more than this one, but that may be because we have gotten to love it so much. Its like hearing a number one hit from a band and then hearing another version from another artist or the "live" version, no matter how good it is, it's just not as good. It's just different.

We have to do different things, life gets too boring if we don't. And every once in a while we really hit on something really good.

All that said, I like it.
 
Thanks for taking the time to comment guys. :)

Pat and Ken- I'm not sure I understand what you're seeing--- do you mean the way the dropped edge is shaped? It's actually an arc... but maybe I'm just not on the same page yet. :foot:

As far as the blade shape, it's very function driven--- the long/lean point has scarey penetration, there is a lot of belly for a slashing cut, and the slightly raised/sharp clip aids greatly in a back cut.

But I don't expect everyone to like it, so I'm not arguing here. :)

I added a video to hopefully show the knife a little better and maybe clear up some of the issues being mentioned. Maybe... ;) :)


Thanks! :)
 
Another superior Fighter my friend.....: cool:

I can say that the clips on your knives are as sharp....or sharper....than many of the blades I've received over the years, the main edge goes without saying. ;)
 
The Virginian said:
The following are nothing but personal opinions based on my own personal taste:

PROS:

I like the handle material.

I like the sharpened clip.

Ricasso and guard proportions are very appealing to me.

I am assuming that the fit is flawless (looks that way from the pics) as it has been on your other knives which I have seen.


CONS:

Not my favorite blade profile, especially the angular heel (as noted by Patrice).

The handle does not appear to be as shaped and ergonomic as on most of your other knives (maybe I would feel differently if I actually held the knife - I can only go by the picture). It does appear to have nice flow, though.

The location of the handle pin seems sort of random, and it just distracts from the appearance to me.

I really dislike "Brut de Forge."


Not something I would likely buy or use, but I don't think I am your target market.
Click to expand...

Great comment and critique post.

I like the long and sharpened clip as well.

I happen to be a fan of brut de forge when it's used correctly and I feel that it is on this piece.

I completely agree with Ben in regard to this being a nice user/collector hybrid and it sounds like that was your intention. You nailed that aspect for sure.

The only thing I personally dislike is the pin that was pointed out by The Virginian. On my first glance at the knife it did stick out to my eye.

That being said, the pin wouldn't keep me from buying something like this as a user.

Fantastic piece overall and I really like the size that you went with on this.
 
I dig the concept, Nick. It's not an easy thing to do, to find that balance point between too rough and too refined, but I think you've managed it. I would love to see this type of 'mid range' knife with synthetic handle materials, and maybe rough surface ground flats.

Personally, I prefer this type of heel/dropped edge. The sharp transition from heel to edge might 'stop my eye', but that's only because it looks really cool. A soft, round heel, to my eye, can end up looking like a blob. The blob heel can look cool too, though, on the right knife.
 
Will Morrison said:
Personally, I prefer this type of heel/dropped edge. The sharp transition from heel to edge might 'stop my eye', but that's only because it looks really cool. A soft, round heel, to my eye, can end up looking like a blob. The blob heel can look cool too, though, on the right knife.
Click to expand...

makes for less obtrusive carry as well. I like a kick at the butt for choppy knives but that additional material definitely makes comfy carry more challenging.
 
Will Morrison said:
I dig the concept, Nick. It's not an easy thing to do, to find that balance point between too rough and too refined, but I think you've managed it. I would love to see this type of 'mid range' knife with synthetic handle materials, and maybe rough surface ground flats.

Personally, I prefer this type of heel/dropped edge. The sharp transition from heel to edge might 'stop my eye', but that's only because it looks really cool. A soft, round heel, to my eye, can end up looking like a blob. The blob heel can look cool too, though, on the right knife.
Click to expand...

+1

I think micarta would suit this piece well especially natural, maroon and black.
 
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