Derrick,
I'm a member of USN and have seen your work a few times there. The other day I stumbled upon your website without ever having made the association between Narly 45 and SteelFlame. Fantastic work, brother.
I am interested in the third KillBox on your pendant page, and I have some questions:
What size is the .45. KillBox with the links, and how much does it weigh?
What are the hex screws on the corners made of?
Are these manufactured ahead of time, or are they custom pieces? If they are custom, about how long does it take to have one made, and do you ask for payment up front or when the piece is set to ship?
And finally (and I'm sure you are asked this often, but I'll try anyway): Being that you're a member of USN, you must have at least a cursory interest in knives. Is there anyway you might be interested in trading a custom knife or two for a Killbox and chain? I have some beautiful, tough fixed blades you might find interesting.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Jason Crespo (I'mGatMan!)
Btw...I'm a moderator over at the Boresight Solutions forum on USN. If you're a fan of Glocks or other combat Tupperware you might want to take a look at Ben's work.
_____
Hi Jason,
I appreciate your interest in my work. It is good to hear from a fellow USN
member!
That particular KillboX pendant is just over 1 inch corner to corner. It
weighs about 23 grams. The screws are stainless steel and they are what
holds the silver bullet hole in place.
I currently have in stock a batch of holes and frames. I can have one put
together within a day.
Normally I am open to trading but my interest in blades are typically
tactical folders and they need to be for a Lefty.
FYI, The chain is separate from what is pictured on the site. All USN
members get 30% off the list price and free shipping.
Very cool stuff at Bore Sight! It looks very similar to the texturing that I
used to do on some of my jewelry. I use a tiny hot knife and melt the
pattern into the wax that I use for casting.
Please feel free to hit me up if there is anything that I can do for you.
Take care!
Derrick,
_____
Thanks for getting back to me. The killbox is exactly what I want. Shame I can't interest you in a beautiful fixed blade, as the only tac folders I have are an XM-18 and an NIB Emerson CQC-8. You're welcome the 8, but I just got the Hinderer and besides balis, I probably won't be buying any more folding knives for a while. I've got what I need, ya know?
I am glad, however, to hear about that gracious discount, and when
I can scrounge the loot, I will DEFINITELY be ordering a box and chain. Right now I am awaiting the birth of my first child (due in May) after a year of battling cancer, so it will probably be a little while (I will be ferreting my pennies away though, you can bet that.). Lucky for me, I know exactly what I want and where to get it.
So, I have one more question about the box: is this something I could wear every day, or would I have to worry about anything with the stainless screws? (Forgive my ignorance...does steel tarnish?)
As for BSS, it took me a while of trial and error to finally make my way to Glocks. If I had my way, i'd carry a 1911, but I had reliability issues with the Kimber and SA I owned. Long story short...Ben made my Glock 19 and 21sf feel as close to a 1911 as any gun can feel while still keeping that Glock reliability. If you ever have interest in some of his work, let me know.
Good luck with your work, and hopefully I'll be contacting you sooner than later about that order.
Oh...and is there any lead time necessary for the chain?
_____
Hey Jason,
Please send a few pics of some fixed blades that you might want to trade.
Hit me up when your child is born. I can help you with this for your wife -
www.lucyann.com
The screws will not be in contact with your skin unless it is flipped over.
The silver may tarnish but we could also do the frame in Vintage Gunmetal
(TM).
I am also a diehard 1911 fan but I don't think I will ever change. I am kind
of Old School in that way.
Take care!
Derrick
_____
Derrick,
My manufacturer of choice is Busse Combat. In case you're unfamiliar with them, I'll give you a little info.
Busse Combat is to fixed blades what Strider and Rick Hinderer are to folders. They make VERY tough knives meant to be beaten on unmercifully, and much of what they manufacture is for military orders. Jerry Busse invented a proprietary steel composition he calls INFI, which is widely considered the best hard-use steel on the market, and although it is not a stainless, is incredibly rust-resistant (I live in Miami where humidity is ridiculous, and have never had an issue). There is MUCH proof of their toughness in the form of abuse tests run by private owners, as well as live challenges performed at Blade shows.
They also have one of the craziest warrantees in the industry: you break it, they fix it. Nuff said. On top of that, they've created a big community of very friendly, helpful people in the Busse subforum of BladeForums. If you ever get a chance to wander in, you'll see it's just like USN in that particular forum.
That said, once you hold a Busse you will probably not want anything else, unless there's another maker who has a proprietary design you really favor.
The first two pictures are of a Busse Combat SFNO (special forces natural outlaw) with a sabre grind, bead blasted finish and black canvas micarta slabs, 7" blade, .20" thick at the spine. It is minty fresh and was released in limited quantity back in 2004. It is a highly sought-after blade because subsequent SFNO's were made with full-flat grinds, thus eliminating some of the weight from the spine.
http://www.pbase.com/balisong/image/106099611/large.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/balisong/image/106099513/large.jpg
The second knife in the next pic is a Busse Combat Badger Attack Tactical Limited Edition (BATACLE). 5" blade, satin finish, .27" blade thickness with tigerhide canvas micarta. It comes with a custom-molded kydex/nylon spec-ops sheath in tan. It has never cut anything, but does have some rubs from the kydex liner. The sheath was molded/fitted by Rob Hummelbaugh at Survival Sheath Systems. This knife was my intro to Busse Combat knives.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm29/Prozepoetik/Busse/IMG_3653.jpg
Next is one of my prizes:
It is a satin/hand-shaped tigerhide linen micarta 1/300 SFNO LE from the Busse Combat custom shop. Amazing knife only offered to "Hogs" by Jerry Busse. It has the same specs as the first, but thickness at spine is .22" instead of .20". There also some subtle differences in the lines.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/jerrybusse/SpartanSFNOLE5.jpg
Yours would actually be number 79
Finally, I have an unused Custom Graham Bros. Razel SS4 (4") in Paul Bos heat-treated S30V (same as most Striders) with green linen micarta, mosaic pins, and kydex sheath with tek-lok. It is a beautiful knife which I thought I'd turn into a user, but instead has sat in my drawer since I bought it.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm29/Prozepoetik/RazelSS4byGatman.jpg
Let me know if you see something you like. I'm hoping you do.
As for your own work, thanks for the info on the screws. Is the gunmetal finish you mentioned a finish applied to the silver, or is it a different metal? Where can I see an example?
Is there a way I could get a different sort of clasp on the chain, such as a fresh toggle or something? Never been a fan of lobster clasps.
Thanks for the link to the other site. I'll def show wifey when it gets closer to born time. Cubans are kinds superstitious about baby jewelry, though. Hell...we were gifted the baby's first diamond studs months ago, and she's due in May.
Anyway,
Holler at me when you can.
Jason (I'mGatMan!)
By the way: since you're a die-hard 1911 guy, check into a gun called the T.H.U.G. 1911 (the Twight Hard-Use Gun). It's a customization package designed by Mars Armament with input from a noted wilderness guy/trainer named Mark Twight. You may like that.
J
_____
Hey Jason,
If any thing I like the first blade that you listed.
Since it seems like you are an expert on Busse blades I hope you can shed
some light for me. My friend gave me this blade a while ago and he said it
was a prototype from a well known knife maker. When he gave it to me I did
not think much of it and threw it in my safe. It has been about 8-10 years
now and I asked him who the maker was and he could not remember. It has nomarkings but after looking at the photos that you sent it looks like
something Busse could have made. Please let me know what you think.
The Vintage Gunmetal(TM)is a surface finish. (See attached bracelet)
I think the lobster fits the chain the best. Also if a toggle was added it
may not fit through the ring for the pendant.
Take care!
Derrick
_____
Oh isht...that is a straight-handled Badger Attack, otherwise known as a coveted SHBA. About 5" of A2 steel from before the INFI was TMed. It has smooth bolts and smooth micarta, so I'd say your value there is a little over 1000$ give or take, depending on the market. It is one of the most classic examples of the Busse design aesthetic, and a fantastic knife. Arguably one of the best Jerry's made in that size range. That thing would go fantastically with the first knife I sent a pic of, however you probably don't wanna use such a rare and coveted knife. If you ever decide you want to sell it, I'll do whatever I can to help you out. I have a good presence on the Busse forums over at BF; Almost 3000 posts and about 10+ positive feedback. I was actually offered one just a month ago, but the 1100$ he was asking was a bit rich for my blood. He wanted the knife you liked plus another 500 or so. Sheesh...you got lucky with that.
I REALLY like that gunmetal finish a LOT. Would it wear off the silver at all?
If you are interested in my SFNO, I would gladly offer it up. Truth is, I have about 800$ in that knife, but being that you're not a collector or avid fan of Busse, I can understand you not wanting to give away that much value. If you like the knife and would like to own it, I would love to trade it to you for a .45 killbox and a 24" chain both in gunmetal. You let me know what you think. I think you'd be extremely happy with it as an all around knife. It'll handle any chopping well, can be batoned indefinitely due to the thickness of the spine, and is fine enough at the edge to handle most any camp chore, including carving. It is my favorite Busse knife, hence why I have three of them. It would go great paired up with a stout tactical folder like a Strider or Hinderer.
Let me know, and thanks for sharing pics of that amazing SHBA. I'm glad we got a chance to speak. I love hearing stories like that.
Regards,
Jason
_____
Hi Jason,
Wow you are an expert with Busse blades!
Like I said it has been sitting in my safe for a while. The reason why I
have never been too much into fixed blade is that I like to use what I have
and living in the city it is tough to carry a large fixed blade.
Okay deal. I think I have the parts to put a KillboX together for you. The
finish may wear in time but it is fairly durable and I can always re-do it
for you. Actually silver will oxidize in time and the Gunmetal is closer to
the aged look.
Just send me your address and I will get it out to you by the end of the
week.
Thank you!
Derrick
_____
Brother, you've made my day twice today. Finding out about the SHBA was dope, but now I'm really excited. Thanks.
Your knife is boxed up and will go out tomorow via USPS priority with insurance and delivery confirmation. Would you prefer signature confirmation, since the knife is pretty high-value?
Just to be sure, the gunmetal finish is over sterling silver correct? I've never seen sterling with a gun-metal finish. I'd like to know how that works.
I know how you feel about the fixed blades and whatnot. I live in inner-city Miami, and there's very little opportunity to use my blades here. I have a feeling, though, that once you get this blade you'll b looking for reasons to get outta town for a weekend. On top of that, it's always a good idea to have good kit...especially the way things are looking these days.
Thanks again, Derrick. I'm real excited.
Regards,
Jason
