When do you not ask for a shield?

Big Dave

Big Dave

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 18, 1998
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I think the side of this knife without a shield looks better than the side with the shield. The stag is so pretty I find the shield kind of breaks it up.

I'm starting to rethink shields. I know they add interest and when done well they point to fine craftmanship. But, some makers like Jess Horn don't use shields and his knives look perfect without them.

Anyway, have any of you guys requested custom slipjoints without a shield?

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Dave, I don't ordinarily ask for a knife without a shield but I don't mind getting one without one either.

For me it really depends on the pattern and scale material (and possibly the intended use for the knife).

When I purchased a "Winchester" pattern from Jerry Halfrich at the Blade Show some years ago he had two on his table...both in nice stag. I chose the one without the shield because I really liked the stag on that one. I've never regretted the choice and to this day Jerry says he'd have chosen the same one.

So, while I generally prefer 'em with a shield, I have plenty without 'em as well. It don't make me no nevermind.
 
I do prefer shields in general, but also have knives where the maker was not inclined to haft the knife with a shield due to the handle material, the lines of the knife or other reasons that can vary from historical representations to the makers preference on his design. I like those knives just as equally as the ones with shields. Especially with highly figured stag, like Elliott, I could go either way and not be disappointed in any way.

(I guess I have been hanging around Blues too much ... Na :D)
 
I can't imagine specifically requesting one without a shield, but I have some that don't and I like them both ways. There are patterns that look just as good sans shield, especially when hafted in stag or pearl.

Some people will argue that really good stag shouldn't have a shield. I think that it can look good with one as long as it's simple like on your Ohta, Dave. I don't find it too distracting at all.
 
I have never requested a knife without a shield but I have done the opposite and requested a shield on both sides.

I like shields and most of my knives have them but I like the ones without shields just as much. I think for me personally, if there is a shield I usually like it but if there is not, I don't really miss it.

I think the Ohta in your photo looks good with the shield but I agree that it would also look good without it.

The problem that I would have in requesting a knife without a shield is that I would want to see it with and without a shield before I decided. Not always an option so I guess I would go with a shield unless I was 100% sure.

Not much help I know but that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
 
Sometimes if the handle is short, and there is an extended
bolster, such as with a Barlow, a handle may look busy with a sheild. Usually I like shields but I can certainly see cases that justify leaving them out.
 
I'm having a couple made form Todd Davison, and was wondering this very question. To shield or not to shield, that is my question. I have some Ivory that would look good without it IMHO. But still not sure what to do. I'm leaning towards a shield more so than without.But, I do agree that some stag looks better without it and definitely a barlow looks better without one.
 
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I requested this one with no shield because (a) the original didn't have a shield and (b) I thought the big slab of ebony looks nice.

Get a custom knife the way you like it. There is no right or wrong answer. If you want a knife without a shield, then get it. I'll also add that makers charge less for the knife if they don't have to do a shield.

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Wow, CNAS, that is cool. Can you give more details?

I guess I'm in the minority on shields. They seem like decoration to me. I'd rather leave them off.
 
Thanks for sharing your knife wisdom. Yea, I'm with you...depends on the knife.

The Ohta is sweet...just put a polished edge on it and I'm ready to slice up Monday's mail.

Aloha,
Dave
 
I'm not a fan of shields either, even tho I understand it is part of the craftmanship of the knife. It's a relatively "new" thing to me (traditionals in my homeland have horn/bone/stag handles and no shield), so maybe that's why I usually prefer plain handles. It also depends on the handle material.
I have seen shields look very good on dark wooden handles for example, or dark bone; it makes a nice contrast. Instead, on lighter colours, and less uniform materials (meaning uniform in colour), I prefer the handle without the shield. I also agree with Corey that on "slender" handles a shield may look better than on a "short & fat" handle (such as a Barlow).
From what I've seen, most production knives (in the American patterns) usually come with a shield. On a custom knife, I may agree with u and have it made without it.
After all, taste is taste...
Fausto
:cool:
 
I agree with Gus and Elliot on this, though I can't say I've ever requested anything because I don't own any customs yet! :( but when buying, be it a vintage knife or new production if it didn't have a shield but still appealed to me it wouldn't bother me either way.
 
Can anyone point me in the right direction for a shield name reference.
I did the CAD on about 18 shields based on pictures but I haven't been able to find a list with correct names.

Thank you in advance.

Mark
 
I am new to this game. The two customs I have on order, neither have shields. I like to see as much of what ever the scale material is made out of. I find the shield can hide or distract from the scale material.
That is not to say all shields are "bad", just not my first choice. Having said all the above about not liking shields, my Menefee EDC has a shield. I guess I just shot myself in the foot!!!
 
I would prefer that my knife have no shield, if it has great looking natural materials. Stagm woods with nice grain like rosewood and walnut should not have a shield. Very small knives look too busy with a shield. I'd prefer my peanuts did not have a shield. If the makers name is clear on the tang, a shield sometimes is overkill, not to mention messing up the view of the nice stag.

Carl.
 
H2Oknife said:
Can anyone point me in the right direction for a shield name reference.
I did the CAD on about 18 shields based on pictures but I haven't been able to find a list with correct names.

Thank you in advance.

Mark
Click to expand...

Mark, There are a few examples on page 13 of Levine's Guide 4th Ed and a list of 6 groups on p32 of Collector Knives: Crests, Bars, Gimp, Gimp Variations, Round/Oval, Figural. Here are a couple of examples based on those references.

Bar
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Crest
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Figural
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Gimp
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Gimp Variation
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Round/Oval
round-oval.jpg


I've also heard of this shield referred to the "Sowbelly shield" but I don't have a reference for it.
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Thanks Jake,

I have shields in some of my slippies but others are customs better with the natural look IMHO.

Mark
 
I find that shields help some knives and hinder others.
If I had to state a preference, I'd say that I prefer knives without shields, but I do concede that they look good on some knives.
I think they look better on knives with smooth scales, and the worst on heavily textured scales, like stag for example.
 
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