When do you not ask for a shield?

[kc custom]

Heres a lineup of my current shields. I hope to add "dogs head", "star", and "cloverleaf" this year.
Left to right Double Bomb, Oval, Badge, Arrowhead, Acorn, Gimp, Ace of spades, Bullocks, Single
bomb-Rocket, Federal, Keystone. I usually pry one I like out of an old knife trace it onto 1/16"
ats-34, then file them out to shape and leave them "ice hard" after heat treat. Hence "Sole
Authorship" and not 100% symmetrical. Only 2 requests for no shield in 4 years
Ken.

 

[midnight flyer]

I think it really has to do with the individual knife itself.

I have always thought of shields as I do as cuff links on a shirt. A great fitting, well made shirt can go to the next level with a great pair of cuff links.

Conversely, cuff links won't save a poorly cut, poorly made shirt. They are just more "stuff" on a shirt.

Nor will a shield add anything to a poorly made knife. But nicely done in the right proportion, with the right handle material, and located in the exact spot for maximum impact, they make nice cuff links indeed.

Robert

 

[Morrow]

I opted for no shield on this one.

 

[black mamba]

No shield on this Lloyd, the stag is terrific, but the right shield (bullock, maybe) could enhance it even more.

 

[Blues]

Interesting, Jeff.

Using John's work as a further example...with this particular knife now in hand, I don't think I'd opt for a shield at this juncture if I had the choice:

 

[Robert.B]

All 3 of those knives about look amazing, I wouldnt change a thing about them!

 

[richstag]

If I liked a knife and it had a shield I would still buy it. But, if I had the option I would say no shield. I like the minimalist look. With that said I have plenty of knives that I think I would miss not having the shields, so its kind of a knife by knife scenario for me.

But, I have seen some shields that I would prefer were not on a knife.

 

[Big Dave]

Thanks for posting your shields Ken. That's cool. That's the first time I've seen the templates...if that's the correct word.

 

[Leading Edge Fab]

Gee Ken, I can't believe I'm only one of two that requested no shield and I've made 250 shields in the last week. By the way the stag looks great without the shield.

Heres a lineup of my current shields. I hope to add "dogs head", "star", and "cloverleaf" this year.
Left to right Double Bomb, Oval, Badge, Arrowhead, Acorn, Gimp, Ace of spades, Bullocks, Single
bomb-Rocket, Federal, Keystone. I usually pry one I like out of an old knife trace it onto 1/16"
ats-34, then file them out to shape and leave them "ice hard" after heat treat. Hence "Sole
Authorship" and not 100% symmetrical. Only 2 requests for no shield in 4 years
Ken.

 

[Peregrin]

I've never spent too much time thinking about the question that Big Dave raised. So I looked at all the traditional pocket knives I have, and I've reached a conclusion. I can't find one knife, with a shield, that I'd like better without the shield. The one handmade knife that I have that is shieldless, just looks wrong to me.

Conclusion: I like shields.

 

[cnas122]

Jeez fine. So what's my point with all of this??? Get what you want. You don't have to be a shield man or a non-shield man. Some knives, I want a shield. Some I don't. Some I want 2. Only a few times have I asked/not asked for a shield based solely on the original pattern

But on the opposite end of the spectrum, some shields get put on things not normally seen with shields (this one from Tony with NYNC shield

Some people even do 2 shields

 

[glocktenman]

I've got one custom that I had built with a shield. I have two that I'm in line for that will not have a shield. In my opinion it depends upon the knife style and what you like.

View attachment 232266

 

[supratentorial]

Ken, Thank you for posting the photo. Very cool! :thumbup:

I haven't ordered many customs but I would order a shield on most. It's sort of like the cherry on top. That said... I think the examples posted in this discussion look good without shields, especially the shadow patterns. It's just a matter of personal taste though.

On a side note, I just bought this vintage cattle knife (don't have it in hand yet) and it lacks a shield. Although the jigging is quite nice, it sort of looks naked without a shield.