Your opinion on a new (?) trend...

Mongo

Mongo

Joined
Nov 5, 2001
Messages
8,969
Greetings all, I figured this was the best place to discuss this since some of y'all have rather "strong" opinions on various features of some customs. By now, I hope everyone has received their October 2006 (:rolleyes: ) copy of Blade magazine. On the cover is a fine fixed blade by John Young, called the "Delavan fighter". It is a 6&1/4" double edged Loveless inspired blade with a mammoth ivory handle and double guard.
The feature that REALLY stands out to me is the checkering on the front 1/3 of the handle. Now, in MY PERSONAL OPINION, I really dislike this feature. The mammoth ivory is drop dead gorgeous, and I feel that the checkering detracts from it's inherent beauty. I'm sure there is probably a reason for this, something like grip enhancement etc. But in all reality, this knife is a safe queen and will never ever see any sentry eliminating duty.
So, what do you think? Is this a feature YOU would like to see on other knives? Do you like it, dislike it? Would you commision a knife with this feature?

(donning my Nomex underpants...)

Mongo
 
I like checkering, I think it's beautiful in its own right. With this said, I haven't seen this knife (I find Blade rather un-interesting...)
 
I would prefer my ivory to stay ancient. It does look nice on the Young fighter. I guess if I was having ivory on a definate user knife, I would consider it. Would have to be stainless. I wouldn't have it done on any of my carbon steel blades.
 
I liked it...maybe because I hadn't seen it before. I'm not sure if it adds functionality...but the pic definitely made me want to try it out...feel it "in hand".

That said, mammoth is so prone to checking and cracking...I can't imagine checkering being too good for it...
 
I think that if he had checkered a small portion of the rear of the handle I might like it better, it would make the handle more symmetric. As of now, like you said it distracts your eyes from the rest of the knife like it was almost an afterthought.
 
I think checkering is underutilized in the knife world. It's another 'embellishment' that actually serves a purpose. There are skillsets involved in doing good checkering and add to the roster of handmade aspects on a custom knife.

Funnily, I have JUST rec'd back a set of walnut scales for a folder I ordered three years ago. I sent out the scales to a shotgun artist to get fancy checkering and they were returned within a couple of weeks. When I show you the before and after, I am certain you will acknowledge the added beauty and functionality.

Now, does it work on that fighter? Tomato, tomahto....

Coop
 
I like checkering on a wood handled knife, having not seen the John Young
"Delavan fighter", I don't have an opinion on it.

Doug :)
 
I like checkering on wood sometimes, on pearl a lot of the time, and on anything else not at all.

Roger
 
I think checkering looks good on some materiels, mostly synthetics, but seems like a waste on such a beautiful piece of mammoth ivory.
 
Thanks for the link Joeshredd.... I think that is a beautiful knife, but I think the checkering detracts from the beauty of the mammoth ivory. I guess some materials aren't meant to be checkered. I like it in wood, micarta and MOP though...
 
New trend??? Knife handles have been being checkered for hundreds of years!!!!


Variety is the spice of life!!! :p
 
Mongo said:
Thanks for the link Joeshredd.... I think that is a beautiful knife, but I think the checkering detracts from the beauty of the mammoth ivory. I guess some materials aren't meant to be checkered. I like it in wood, micarta and MOP though...
Click to expand...

Your sig line is kinda relevant here - the checkering by Tom is in the style of my .45... That and the fact that it is some of the most attractive blue and cream Ivory I've seen, well, it's grown on me! LOL!!! :D Otherwise, I tend to agree with y'all - mammoth ivory is naturally beautiful and IMHO, doesn't need embellishment... except on art pieces like mine.... ;)

Now, if I can get similar slabs and have 'em made for my .45... That'd really be a pair!!!!!:eek:
 
I would prefer the same treatment you would see on a nice shotgun, with plain wood and a nice desin cut into it.
 
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