*** What's Your Grail? GAW *** Winner Announced

[Edm1]

In 2013 I think I saw a picture of a GEC pemberton. I really was infatuated with it and ended up buying what I considered my grail pemberton. Single Clip blade , buffalo horn scales. This knife went everywhere with me. Small and did everything. I loved it. Somehow, around 2015 I lost it. I'm sure it must have fallen out of my pocket in a hotel room somewhere. I've looked MANY times through my house and truck. Since then, I have been looking for another, to no avail. I know it isnt expensive, or most peoples Grail.( actually probably noones but mine) but that's my Grail. I was excited when GEC had the latest run, but the latest just weren't what I needed. Thank you.

 

[untytled]

What a fantastic idea. Thanks for the opportunity. My grail doesn't exist "yet" possibly.

I've become enamored with the 66 as of late. Problem is I prefer the 2 blade jack variant. The tortoise shell acrylic (don't ask why) but it makes me smile everytime I see it. I would normally shy away from synthetics in a traditional but am starting to prefer it but only in that particular flavor. So if GEC ever runs the 66 2 blade jack like this....



.... garbed in these handles with this centered shield = supercalifragilisticexpialidociously awesome. In my opinion only of course.

 

[Norcaldude]

I don't really have a grail at the moment. I mean, I'd love a custom by Bose or Ryu Kawamura but I don't see myself ever spending that much money on a knife.

edit: a picture I just saw reminded me that I do have a grail, one of those smooth bone Waynorth Lambsfoot knives.

This harness jack has been in my pocket since I got it and it's one of those knives that I like so much that I find myself thinking of selling off most of the others.



I have liked the look of the 'native' pattern customs I have seen and took the plunge last week and bought one. Just waiting for it to get here from the Ukraine. Hopefully it arrives without problems. Not exactly a grail but it is very anticipated.

 

[waverave]

And the coolest part about having a GAW, for me, is commenting/interacting with everyone!

Cool giveaway Darren! I’ve been really liking the Zulu style knives of late and would love to find a black micarta Esky Zulu some day. In the meantime, I ordered a custom from Willem O’Kelly that may prove to satisfy that desire.

View attachment 1280807 View attachment 1280808

Oh man can't wait to see that custom

I'd like to enter for my friend mitch4ging Dennis.
He's been a little under the weather so-to-speak and I think this would pick up his spirits.

My grail knife is near-impossible to get, as a grail should be. I came (sorta) close to it once but the seller backed out. It's my favorite GEC pattern (#76 Jack) and the shield and jigging just do it for me. Maybe I'll luck into one some day and maybe it will just remain something to eternally search for. I'm being patient and vigilant.

Had to Google an image, I think it belongs or belonged to a member here.

Wow that is a very cool knife...definitely don't see those pop up very often. Just when you least expect it though...blam! I'm sure one will come your way at some point

Great GAW, Darren. Not entering for myself (I have a subscription--the best knife magazine out there), but on behalf of mitch4ging .

My "grail":

Elephant ivory Bowie knife. The one pictured is a Randall knife. Not practical to EDC, but what a knife! (My main EDC is a 12cm Laguiole. Fits in the pocket, perfect size for the hand, very practical and beautiful.)

Good luck to all!

Wow wonderful Bowie!

This is my grail. The only way it could be better is to be in ebony with this shield

Thanks for the awesome GAW, I promise I won't hijack this one

Beautiful And no worries at all about that

 

[waverave]

My grail has and always will be one of Mr Halfrich's folders, had this one in several years ago and just love the blade shape and handle contours, blade was ground nice and thin to really cut well, but out of my reach.

IMG_1077 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

The blade's edge starts fairly close to the bolster and there isn't any sharpening choil on this so it wouldn't get hung up on material when you are cutting with it, plus the tip is lower which I do prefer a great deal.

and thanks, I am certainly in on this, it has been probably decades since I had any knife magazines, that would be cool to get once again,

IMG_1079 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2

Wow that is one beautiful knife!

I am in, what a great GAW idea! Here is my current grail- the picture was taken from the internet- which is a Dr T Dino pattern knife.
View attachment 1281192

Wonderful knife...those Dr T's have a ton of personality.

Great GAW! Thank you for the opportunity!
I hope to stumble across T.A. Davison #1703 some day.
View attachment 1281194
I hesitated a bit too long when I saw it pop up; was disappointed when Todd said it had sold; have been disappointed ever since.

That is a beauty! I like the extra swedge he put on that one.

Many of you know how I adore ram's horn as a handle material, and I'm also a big fan of intricate Damascus steel. This Bowie from Adam DesRosiers is about as good as it gets for me. Unfortunately not mine and never will be. Maybe that really makes it a grail.

Yowza that is amazing! And you're right...maybe a true grail is something that can never be acquired

Great giveaway Darren! My current “grail” would be an Enrique Pena knife. I keep looking around and would be thrilled with a micarta swayback for example....but if we’re talking I just won the lottery, than I would have to up my grail to one of his stockmans.
View attachment 1281343View attachment 1281344View attachment 1281345

Enrique sure does have a talent for the slipjoints. I think I saw he was doing more of them lately which is good to see

 

[waverave]

Great idea for a giveaway, and very generous of you....

I have quite a few knives that I really like, that are also really useful. I suppose at this time in my life, my only "grail" type knife would be one of Jerome Latreille's laguiole knives.
something similar to this.... in my mind, what he does is pure artistry in steel.

For sure they are beautiful knives. I saw a show on Science channel recently on one of the makers and how they put them together. It was really neat to watch.

Thank you for the GAW Darren. I would like to throw my hat in the ring.


Currently my grail would be this, or any other bone handled schrade cut co (or shapleigh DE made by schrade cut) slant square bolster 4'' stockman in minty condition.

View attachment 1281370

Nice!

Awesome GAW. Thanks, Darren.

Working towards a John Lloyd similiar to this one with musk ox handles.

View attachment 1281372

John makes a wonderful knife I love how he gets playful with the shields and materials.

From Darren , waverave - "I haven’t been as active lately as I’d like to be, and it has been a while since I hosted a GAW. My apologies but between work, family and school it has been really hard to keep up with everything (especially the Guardian’s thread!). Any spare time these days I try to spend in the shop learning how to make knives."

1st off, I'd like to say to you Darren - I accept your apology!
Like -yeah - you should really apologize to us

2nd - Thank you for the cool GAW. Great idea and would be well received

I offer my GRAIL. Won't ever get one unless I find it in the road - then I would be compelled to try to track down the unhappy owner so it would, at best, be a pass through grail find.

From Dave at Crossed Heart Forge this sublime looking and beautifully made

MOUNTAIN KOTANTO or a near cousin.

View attachment 1281391

Wow!!! Very cool

In 2013 I think I saw a picture of a GEC pemberton. I really was infatuated with it and ended up buying what I considered my grail pemberton. Single Clip blade , buffalo horn scales. This knife went everywhere with me. Small and did everything. I loved it. Somehow, around 2015 I lost it. I'm sure it must have fallen out of my pocket in a hotel room somewhere. I've looked MANY times through my house and truck. Since then, I have been looking for another, to no avail. I know it isnt expensive, or most peoples Grail.( actually probably noones but mine) but that's my Grail. I was excited when GEC had the latest run, but the latest just weren't what I needed. Thank you.

A single clip blade Pemberton has been on my list for a while..the buffalo horn version would be fantastic! I can understand why that is your grail...and hope you find another

What a fantastic idea. Thanks for the opportunity. My grail doesn't exist "yet" possibly.

I've become enamored with the 66 as of late. Problem is I prefer the 2 blade jack variant. The tortoise shell acrylic (don't ask why) but it makes me smile everytime I see it. I would normally shy away from synthetics in a traditional but am starting to prefer it but only in that particular flavor. So if GEC ever runs the 66 2 blade jack like this....

View attachment 1281410

.... garbed in these handles with this centered shield = supercalifragilisticexpialidociously awesome. In my opinion only of course.

View attachment 1281411

Nice! And tortoise shell 66's are still available from dealers. It would be a very simple mod to delete a blade. We could have your grail made in a jiffy

I don't really have a grail at the moment. I mean, I'd love a custom by Bose or Ryu Kawamura but I don't see myself ever spending that much money on a knife.

This harness jack has been in my pocket since I got it and it's one of those knives that I like so much that I find myself thinking of selling off most of the others.



I have liked the look of the 'native' pattern customs I have seen and took the plunge last week and bought one. Just waiting for it to get here from the Ukraine. Hopefully it arrives without problems. Not exactly a grail but it is very anticipated.

That's a beauty! Those natives seem to be popular right now. I like the blade profile it is something kinda different.

 

[aji1]

I know it’s not in the top ten, but surely “Thou shalt not covet thy fellow board members Bose” is somewhere on the list? I hope not, because this Bose swayback of @Chief is a thing of beauty that I would love to own. The other one doesn’t suck either. He also recently posted a mammoth Davison that dropped my jaw...

Thanks Jerry. Need to do another group pic of the Boses with a couple recent additions. This creamy little swayback is very happy here

Doesn't suck either.

By the way, I am not in for the GAW, as I am overseas.

 

[Pinemoon]

Some beautiful knives on this thread
It's cool to learn about the custom makers.

Thanks for the generous GAW waverave, Darren. I meant to subscribe to KNIFE but never did, so I am in on this. A subscription is a great idea.

A couple of my grails:

Randall 27 Trailblazer in stag

RA-M27M_S54S by Pine Moon, on Flickr


Boker Mamba in bog oak with Damascus

17831_111100DAM-01 by D P, on Flickr

 

[abcdef]

Either of these will do. Thanks for the opportunity.

 

[Barman1]

Ultimate grail?
Something damascus that Jerry Fisk hammered out...similar to his "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" Bowie.
But I am so incredibly unworthy of that level of craftsmanship it humbles me to even look at the pictures.

But a little closer to an attainable grail?
Jared Oeser Wicked Lanny's.
One of the variations, not necessarily the beauty in this picture.
The weathered metal handled version speaks more to my style...but this picture is prettier (of course it is, the credit speaks volumes).

 

[kamagong]

This bowie is my grail.

I suppose I could contact the maker to build me one similar, but I doubt he'd be able to recreate the perfect synergy of damascus steel, hamon, and gorgeous stag handle on this one.

 

[waverave]

Some beautiful knives on this thread
It's cool to learn about the custom makers.

Thanks for the generous GAW waverave, Darren. I meant to subscribe to KNIFE but never did, so I am in on this. A subscription is a great idea.

A couple of my grails:

Randall 27 Trailblazer in stag

RA-M27M_S54S by Pine Moon, on Flickr


Boker Mamba in bog oak with Damascus

17831_111100DAM-01 by D P, on Flickr

Those are both very beautiful knives

Either of these will do. Thanks for the opportunity.

Beauties! You're right...either will do

Ultimate grail?
Something damascus that Jerry Fisk hammered out...similar to his "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" Bowie.
But I am so incredibly unworthy of that level of craftsmanship it humbles me to even look at the pictures.

But a little closer to an attainable grail?
Jared Oeser Wicked Lanny's.
One of the variations, not necessarily the beauty in this picture.
The weathered metal handled version speaks more to my style...but this picture is prettier (of course it is, the credit speaks volumes).

Wow that wicked Lanny's is...well...it is wicked!

This bowie is my grail.

I suppose I could contact the maker to build me one similar, but I doubt he'd be able to recreate the perfect synergy of damascus steel, hamon, and gorgeous stag handle on this one.

That knife is a superb example of master craftsmanship.
Speaking of masters, there was a recent feature article in Knife magazine on SharpByCoop Photography...he does amazing work and I am fascinated by his processes. We all try to snap fancy photos and post here but that guy took it to master-level.
Imagine your job is to handle, look at, and photograph high-end custom knives!

 

[Jolipapa]

 

[waverave]

I am intrigued. What are we looking at here?

 

[Jolipapa]

I am intrigued. What are we looking at here?

A Sportsman's by Mathieu Herrero, warthog ivory slabs

 

[waverave]

A Sportsman's by Mathieu Herrero, warthog ivory slabs

Wow that looks very well put together...very nice!

 

[kamagong]

That knife is a superb example of master craftsmanship.
Speaking of masters, there was a recent feature article in Knife magazine on SharpByCoop Photography...he does amazing work and I am fascinated by his processes. We all try to snap fancy photos and post here but that guy took it to master-level.
Imagine your job is to handle, look at, and photograph high-end custom knives!

Yes it is. In another time, that bowie would have been the type of weapon worthy of being named.

I imagine having Coop’s job would be a double-edged sword. You get to handle and closely examine loads of high quality steel and be paid for it. But on the other hand, there has got to be a few times where he holds a piece that’s magic. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to own such a blade, except...it’s not available at any price.

 

[mitch4ging]

I had to think about this one a bit. So many fantastic knives, so little time!

First, I certainly want to share the opportunity that others have done for me, so I would like to post for Gary @5K Qs , always post incredible multi quotes, I think that's why his handle is 5,000 Quotes!

So many great makers and vendors here, I would love to support them when I can. So my grails would be:

The great folder from Charlie! This forum has really shaped my mind on what works for me, and one that I have discovered here, due to Jack Black, is the Lambsfoot! Charlie's version is just incredible, especially the Ebony, so it is the top pick for the folder!

As far as fixed blades, one maker here has really hit the nail on the head for me, and that's John over @Redmeadow Knives Such a talen young man, and his designs really are wonderful. I would put his Bowie at the very top.

 

[mike Berkovitch]

I am after three knives at this time

the first, and hopefully will arrive sometimes this year, is a custom Honk Falls Trapper, by Mr. Paul Mason. Here's a photo of similar one


The other two are production knives, but seems to me it is impossible to get - 2019 forum knife, and 2019 GEC #93 Real Lambfoot.

Not an entry but most interesting topic.

Mike

 

[bbfish]

Definitely a whaler. I spend ALOT of time out on my boat in the waters around New York and New Jersey and come in contact with a ton of whales, so the knife just calls my name. Hoping they make a new run sometime in the future, but realistically I think I’ll just have to be patient and pay the premium in the aftermarket if one comes up.