The EDC fixed blade proves itself more than just a pretty face.
After finding First Degree Forge’s website, I reached out to Joshua Brown about testing one of his knives for “Spec Sheet.” He agreed and sent me his EDC Fighter. The shape really caught my eye, along with the blue-and-black handle. The grinds are symmetrical from side to side. I checked the handle for any epoxy gaps and found none, though I did find a few areas that might cause a hot spot or two while cutting.
Light Cutting Tests
I went straight to the 20-pound bond copy paper for the initial sharpness check. The EDC Fighter zipped through the material quickly and repeatedly. I had to really concentrate on moving my fingers quickly so I didn’t leave any DNA on the paper or the knife. Joshua’s blade is very sharp indeed.
I had an extra box to pull a slicing piece from. The cardboard parted quickly. I could feel some friction as I finished the cuts. It was the medium dragging on the thick blade spine, giving the cardboard a slight curl. However, there was no slowdown in cutting.
The EDC Fighter crunched its way through 190 cuts in the sisal rope.
A piece of 8-ounce leather was next. The EDC Fighter sliced it smoothly and aggressively. I could hear every crunching slice, a sound that brings a smile to my face. The handle was comfortable but felt a tad thick for my hand.
I rolled right into some skiving with the same leather. The edge crunched into the material cleanly. Overall, the EDC Fighter was quite controllable at keeping the spacing between slices even. The flat-ground blade indexed perfectly off my finger.
Heavy Cutting Tests
Whittling time! The edge produced some thick curly-cues and wanted to bite deep into the wood (there was some possible wood grain deflection). The handle made for a secure cutting grip but the steel near the choil was sharp on my skin. A little sandpaper would remove the unwanted sharpness.
Next on the menu was some baton work on a knotted pine 2×4. The large handle was comfortable and stopped any shock from transferring to my hand. The blade drove smoothly through the wood with little damage—only a little smear on the finish.
The edge produced some thick curly-cues and wanted to bite deep into the wood. The handle made for a secure cutting grip but the steel area by the choil was unnecessarily sharp on the author’s skin. A little sandpaper would remove the unwanted edge.
The sharpness test on sisal rope awaited. The EDC Fighter crunched its way through 190 cuts. I found that the thumb rest also had a sharp edge to it—again, an easy fix with sandpaper. The handle was comfy and the palm swells worked great.
The final paper slice was barely different from the first. What little problem there was mostly was caused by the paper picking up some dampness in the air. The edge remained very sharp.
Last of all was my regular semi-destructive test—whacking the edge into a whitetail deer antler. I gave the knife 30 good antler chops and didn’t hurt the edge at all. Heat-treatment grade: great!
Botton Line
The EDC Fighter is a very nice knife, comfortable to hold and an outstanding performer.
Changes
Soften the previously mentioned non-blade sharp edges where fingers or thumb meet steel.
From historic clashes to modern conflict, these fierce custom blades prove there is still a profound amount of art in the tools of war.
Since the dawn of man, the edge of the blade has been used to hash out disputes between everything from clans and tribes all the way to nations. While not the main battle implement in today’s conflict, the martial nature of the knife remains. This particular collection of fierce customs demonstrates there is a heap of art in war.
Caleb Ledford Long Sword
An electric 1084/15N20/mild steel Turkish-twist damascus defines the 31-inch blade of Caleb Ledford’s long sword. Lightening the sizable slicer’s load is a tapered fuller running on its midline. The handle is a pitch-black ebony, and the guard and pommel are cold-blued mild steel.
Jacco Van de Bruinhorst San Francisco Bowie
With matching blade and inserts, Jacco Van de Bruinhorst’s take on the San Francisco bowie is an elegant Barbary Coast brawler. The Canadian maker used ProCut/1084 to create what he calls a “snakeskin pattern.” If you study closely, the inserts harken back to the gold rush days with 24k gold inlay.
Jim Poling Dirk
Commissioned by a descendant of King James IV of Scotland, journeyman smith Jim Poling’s walnut-handled dirk appears freshly plucked from the highlands. The dagger boasts a 13-inch 1084/15N20 twist damascus blade, antiqued mild steel fittings and coin-edged nickel spacers.
Andrew Blomfield Pesh Kabz
Master smith Andrew Blomfield has taken more than one stab at the pesh kabz in his career, and lands the blow with this 11.5-inch bladed example. The eye-catching mosaic blade is contrasted by the very conservative tones of the purple gidgee handle and blackened steel bolster. A traditional flourish, brass blossoms are on the handle’s pins.
Michael Deibert Wakizashi
Alabama-based journeyman smith Michael Deibert brings traditional Japanese styling to life with this striking Wakizashi. The 18-inch blade features 1,100 layers of 1080/15N20 steel, paired with a wrought iron bolster. A classic stingray and an Ito-wrap handle complete the 28-inch overall build.
Nate “Tuna” Grant Pocket Fixed Blade
Nate “Tuna” Grant Pocket Fixed Blade
Journeyman smith Nate “Tuna” Grant delivers a compact powerhouse with the Defender. This 7.375-inch overall fixed blade features a 4-inch flat-ground blade forged from 1084/15N20 steel in a striking diamond drop pattern. The build is finished with rich Mun ebony scales.
Emmett Eitreim Dagger
Emmett Eitreim presents a refined 12-inch overall dagger featuring a 7-inch flat-ground blade. The steel is a striking rose pattern forged from 15N20/1084, complemented by a 954 aluminum bronze guard and pommel. A stabilized spalted maple handle completes this elegant, high-contrast build.
Check Out More Cool Customs:
Cool Custom: Tony Lewis’ Tribute Knife To Steve Dunn
Cool Customs: Rocco Nawrocki’s Knife For Sergeant Bunker
Designed by Allen Elishewitz, KA-BAR’s USA-made drop-forged EPT pairs a 2.5-inch blade with a clip-equipped sheath for easy pocket carry.
KA-BAR has expanded its line of drop-forged steel tools with the Elishewitz Pocket Tool, or EPT. Designed by veteran maker and former Force Recon Marine Allen Elishewitz, the compact fixed blade targets the growing daily carry market with a format tailored specifically for pocket carry rather than belt wear.
Built for Daily Duty
The EPT centers around a short, broad 2.5-inch drop-point blade ground flat to a 20-degree edge per side. KA-BAR crafts the knife from 0.1875-inch thick 425 high-carbon stainless steel, hardened to 56–58 HRC. The stout blade geometry offers plenty of strength for routine cutting tasks while keeping the overall footprint manageable.
Because the knife utilizes a one-piece drop-forged construction, the skeletonized handle is integral to the blade. A finger ring integrated into the butt end assists with control during use while serving as a quick-draw indexing point when pulling the knife from a pocket.
Pocket-Friendly Carry
Rather than relying on a traditional belt sheath, the EPT comes equipped with a custom USA-made sheath featuring a reversible, loop-over wire pocket clip. This setup allows the fixed blade to ride deep inside a pocket in much the same manner as a standard folding knife.
At 6.75 inches in overall length and weighing 3.2 ounces (0.2 lbs for the knife alone), the U.S.-manufactured piece delivers the structural integrity of a fixed blade without adding unnecessary bulk to a daily kit.
Elishewitz Pocket Tool (EPT) Specs Designer: Allen Elishewitz Overall Length: 6.75 in. Blade Length: 2.50 in. Blade Width: 1.70 in. Blade Thickness: 0.1875 in. Blade Steel: 425 High Carbon Stainless (56–58 HRC) Blade Type/Grind: Drop Point, Flat Grind Edge Angle: 20 degrees per side Construction: Integral drop-forged 425 stainless steel Weight: 3.2 oz. total (2.24 oz. knife weight) Sheath: USA-made sheath with reversible wire pocket clip MSRP: $78
Fixed-blade hunter finds its roots a knife gifted to CRKT’s founder.
CRKT is 30 years old this year, but who’s counting candles? Apparently, the company, because it’s commemorating the milestone with the release of a little something. And what better way for an outdoorsy brand from Oregan to mark an anniversary than with a hunting knife—a dang slick-looking one at that.
Shake hands with the Soldotna.
Designed by renowned craftsman, guide and all-around outdoorsman Russ Kommer the knife is a bit of a team effort. With the Soldotna, CRKT partnered with the master blacksmiths at Vegas Forge in Nevada to make the blade’s Damascus steel and worked with TOPS Knives in Idaho to manufacture the knife. It comes with a full-grain leather sheath with a belt loop and stud closer, which is hand-made in Idaho. Yet, the design itself is pure Kommer.
The Soldotna’s roots lie in a custom knife the maker and backwoodsman created for CRKT founder Rod Bremer. As the story goes, it was a gift for Bremer’s grandson who had a particularly special hunt planned. The name of the knife, interestingly, comes from an Alaskan town near the Kenai River where Kommer and Bremer would angle for king salmon together.
In addition to the limited edition, CRKT is offering a carbon steel version with a tan canvas Micarta handle.
As for the knife itself, it’s designed as a do-all hunting knife boasting a 3.5-inch drop-point blade, with a flat grind. It has enough belly for skinning detail but is svelte enough—particularly at the point—to handle more fine jobs in the field.
Ergonomics take the front seat in this extremely manageable knife, with a slight palm swell in the walnut handle to ensure it fills the hand. Furthermore, there’s a slight curvature near the finger guard, a safety feature that locks the knife in hand and prevents slipping. Well thought out, to say the least.
CRKT is only doing a limited run of the damascus Soldotna, with only 200 pieces up for sale. One of these beauties will set you back $500. However, if you don’t have that sort of change floating around your couch cushions, CRKT is offering a Cerakoted carbon steel Soldotna at a much more affordable $200. Note, the carbon steel model has the same specs as the Damascus, except in steel and handle material, which is tan canvas Micarta.
The Drop Point Blade Is One Of The Most Utilitarian Blade Styles. From Outdoor Knives To EDC Folders, The Drop Point Is The Way To Go.
The drop-point blade is perhaps the most useful shape for outdoor knives. It’s an excellent cutting tool and the point makes it good at puncturing too. Whether it’s cleaning a kill or just opening up a gift box, the drop point is an excellent all-rounder that any knife lover should have.
Ka-Bar/Becker Knife & Tool BK16 Short Becker
The wide drop-point blade of the KA-BAR/Becker BK16 has the ideal edge geometry to handle precise tasks like whittling.
It is a midsize knife that is easy to carry, handle and use. The 4-inch blade of flat-ground 1095 Cro-Van steel can hold a respectable edge and sharpens quickly in the field. The black textured epoxy coating is non-glare and corrosion-resistant.
The Zytel handle is a typical Becker design—highly ergonomic with a palm swell that fills the hand nicely. The handle edges are rounded to eliminate hot spots. Part of the tang is exposed for the lanyard hole. There’s also traction notches on the spine to choke up for added control. When you hold the BK16, notice how solid it feels. Even though one of the smaller knives in the line, it still feels capable of handling most cutting or camp tasks.
The sheath is a ballistic nylon with a rigid plastic liner. An accessory pouch holds a small lockblade folder or sharpener. The knife secures in the sheath via two button-snap nylon straps. The BK16 holds snugly inside the sheath with no rattling. Made in China, the sheath is of very good quality.
The BK16 is a workhorse. The drop-point shape is utility friendly and covers a broad range of general camp chores, from food prep to field dressing. The flat grind ensures optimum slicing.
The handle shape is classic Becker. A forward finger recess forms the lower guard and a palm swell mid-handle seats the hand comfortably. All edges are rounded for maximum comfort during prolonged use. The BK16 comes with two sets of scales: black Zytel and coyote tan. I opted for the tan. I love the contrast with the black blade.
I successfully batonned the knife through wood. The knife shrugged the task off and repeatedly came back for more. Whittling was easy. The ergonomic grip is comfortable and you’re able to use the exact pressure needed. The BK16 handles food prep with confidence.
If you need a compact fixed blade capable of tackling large tasks, the BK16 is it. Made in the USA, it has an MSRP of $132.
Fallkniven F1 Pro
The Fallkniven F1 Pro’s blade geometry makes baton work almost effortless.
The Fallkniven F1 Pro features an extra-heavy-duty build and ELMAX high-performance stainless blade steel, which offers enhanced edge holding and toughness. With a 4-inch, convex-ground blade and 8.5-inch overall length, it is a formidable knife, weighing in at 6.1 ounces.
The blade stock thickness is .19 inches, fairly thick for a knife this size. The full tang extends through the Thermorun rubber handle and is exposed on the butt for excellent torsional rigidity.
The handle sides feature a heavy checkering pattern for an excellent grip with wet or dry hands. The Thermorun material has a sort of a grip-you-back quality, similar to Kraton. The oblong handle shape rests in your grip comfortably so that you feel in control of the knife.
The sheath is well made of heavy-duty Zytel with a nylon webbing belt loop and button-snap retention strap. At first, the nylon webbing may seem a bit cheap but in reality it’s very smart.
Why? The webbing allows the sheath to move freely at your side in case it gets snagged by branches, or to self-adjust when you are seated in a chair or a vehicle. Most rigid sheaths do not allow for this. Not to mention, the nylon webbing material is weather and moisture-resistant.
The knife locks into the sheath via the guard as it engages a spring-loaded tab in the sheath’s side. This alone is enough to hold the knife inside, but securing the handle with the snap strap guarantees the knife stays put until you release it. The sheath’s bottom is open to allow moisture to escape and resist blade corrosion.
The F1 Pro and the BK16 are the heaviest-duty ones of the test bunch. The F1 Pro easily completed baton work. The thick blade stock and flat grind split wood like a wedge. For whittling, the convex edge has a ton of bite. It shaved off thick chunks of wood as I carved multiple stakes to a point. It made fast work of the task but, at the same time, was controllable and made precise cuts when needed.
In some respects it worked as hard as a larger knife. In the kitchen, don’t dismiss the F1 Pro due to the thick blade. It slices vegetables with precision, proof this beast of a knife can handle delicate tasks as well.
There were no problems with the Thermorun handle. My hands got a bit sweaty during outdoor use and the handle never felt like it was going to slip in my hand. The checkered texturing is the right amount and not overly aggressive to your skin.
With an MSRP of $407.95, the F1 Pro ELMAX is one of the most expensive knives you will find in this class, but the chosen materials and highest quality of build offset the cost. You get what you pay for and this is a high-quality tool.
White River Knife & Tool Hunter
The blade of the White River Hunter is flat ground for optimal cutting performance, and the steel offers toughness and high edge-retention qualities.
The White River Knife & Tool Hunter is a simple design, with a 3.5-inch drop-point blade paired with an ergonomic handle. Blade steel is CPM S35VN high-performance stainless, and the handle comes in several material options. The 8.25-inch overall length is well-suited for field dressing and possible bushcraft use, too.
The blade is flat ground for optimal cutting performance and the steel offers toughness and high edge-retention qualities. A polished finish makes the blade a snap to clean and also seals micropores, thus helping prevent rust. It’s kind of unusual to see a mirror polish on such a blade due to it being a labor-intensive finish; most such blades have either machine satin, stonewash, or even bead-blasted finishes.
A large finger recess helps index your grip, and a significant palm swell rests the knife in your hand comfortably. The butt has a bird’s beak pommel to prevent your hand from sliding backward.
As for handle material choices, they include three Micarta® flavors: natural burlap, black burlap, and black/OD green. Micarta is an excellent choice for an outdoor knife, as it is dimensionally stable and impervious to the elements and absorption of fluids. It also has a tactile feel that aids in grip retention in all conditions.
We selected the natural burlap for the test, as it has a very organic appearance, almost a wood tone. The feel is akin to that of canvas Micarta. The sheath is formfitting Kydex, with a molded Kydex belt loop that accommodates belts up to 2 inches wide.
The cutting performance is superb. The knife is efficient and simple to maneuver. The flat-ground blade sails through meat and vegetables. Being a smaller fixed blade means it can be used for more delicate or intricate cutting.
I like the burlap Micarta. It’s very durable, looks great, and has a great in-hand feel. Burlap micarta isn’t common in production knives, so this is a bit rare—for now.
The shorter-length blade handles kitchen utility tasks well. Who knows—this knife might wind up in your kitchen pulling permanent duty when it’s not out with you in the woods. The White River Hunter retails for $180 for any of the handle material options. This is a really good price for a USA-made fixed blade with premium blade and handle materials. If you like refined fixed-blade hunters, the White River Hunter is for you.
Chris Reeve Knives Backpacker
The Chris Reeve Backpacker handles like a dream. The knife is balanced perfectly and feels like an extension of your hand. It’s very predictable in use and is a slicer by nature. (Dexter Ewing image)
The newest fixed blade from Chris Reeve Knives, the Backpacker is for outdoorsmen and backpack hunters who want a fairly lightweight sheath knife that is quite usable with a smart design and high-end materials.
It features a 4-inch drop-point blade hollow ground from CPM Magnacut, the latest of the high-performance stainless super steels. Magnacut reportedly has the best edge retention of any high-end blade steel. The Backpacker will go the distance with edge holding. A stonewash finish gives the blade a slight industrial look. Stonewash finishes do a good job of hiding scratches that occur during use.
The handle has a hollowed-out full tang, which helps keep weight to a minimum (3.8 ounces) and improves balance. The scales are canvas Micarta in black or natural. The Micarta is sculpted to provide placement of the hand and fingers, enhancing user comfort and blade control.
Canvas Micarta has a grippy nature and seems to get better when your hands are wet, unlike other materials that may feel less tactile when wet. Two pairs of hex-head bolts secure the scales which are removable, resulting in a skeletonized fixed blade to further reduce weight and bulk.
The integral guard formed by the blade’s height is a smart design I really like. It allows you to choke up on the handle for precise control, as well as keeping your hand in place.
The Backpacker comes with a Kydex sheath which locks around the lower portion of the exposed tang that forms the guard. It does not encompass the handle scales as most fixed-blade Kydex sheaths do. This is done on purpose so if you do decide to remove the scales and use the Backpacker skeletonized, the sheath will still work and lock on the knife for safe carry.
A flat-head screw at the end allows you to fine-tune how tight the sheath locks onto the blade. Not many sheaths have this feature. The rivet spacing allows use of a large Tek-Lok belt fastener (the knife does not come with a provision for belt attachment, so it’s up to the buyer to supply such).
The Backpacker handles like a dream! The hollow grind slices easily. I used the knife to cut meats and vegetables. The cutting performance is predictable, efficient, and precise. It’s like driving a nice European sports car.
Handle comfort is first class; I love the way the Micarta feels in-hand. It’s light as a feather for a fixed blade of its size, and no doubt the minimal weight does a lot to improve handling. When you choke-up on the handle with your thumb placed on the blade spine, you can feel how the ergonomics work to lock your grip on.
The Backpacker is a high-end, USA-made hunting/camping fixed blade. MSRP: $300. A CRK knife for $300 is a great price, actually, and you get a lot in return, including high-end materials and the company’s design and manufacturing/engineering expertise.
Buck 112 Ranger
Buck 112 Ranger
Buck makes great knives, and this folder certainly is one of their best. The Ranger is a variation on the famous 110 Folding Hunter with a drop point instead of the original’s clip point.
The knife is beautiful with an ebony handle and ethically-sourced Crelicam ivory. While the handle is stunning, the star of the show is still the blade. Made from 420 HC stainless with a satin finish, the 3-inch blade is everything you would want in an EDC. With a thick belly and thick tip, the blade slices and punctures confidently.
The heat treat imbues the blade with excellent corrosion resistance and durability. It’s hardened to an HRC 58 so the knife can handle the wear and tear of everyday use with ease. This is a classy knife at a great price.
MSRP: $63.99
Benchmade Bugout
Benchmade BK-2
When it comes to drop point EDC knives the Benchmade Bugout is one of the most iconic. It was designed for outdoor use which makes it overpowered as an EDC for so many reasons.
There are many versions of the Bugout, and all are excellent, but for this piece we chose the BK-2 for its affordability in relation to other knives in the line.
The BK-2 is a fully blacked out version of the Bugout with a CF-Elite handled married to the CPM-S30V blade. The steel comes in a black Cerakote finish and is treated to a 58-60 HRC. The knife shines in large part thanks to its weight. At just 1.8 ounces, the BK-2 is so light and nimble in the air that it can feel like cutting with air.
It’s the Bugout. It’s great. It’s one of the highest-quality drop point knives on the market.
MSRP: $190
Kizer Drop Bear
This knife was released over the summer and it is excellent. We have already written an in-depth review of the Drop Bear, and it’s worthy of a second mention.
The 154CM steel blade is meted to an aluminum handle. At 3.8 ounces it’s a substantial little knife that can handle the day-to-day tasks asked of it and can even be used as a kitchen knife in a pinch.
The knife’s clutch lock, Kizer’s newly-adopted Axis-style lock, is fun to use and keeps the blade secure at all times. This is an excellent new addition to the world of drop point pocketknives.
MSRP: $158
Editor’s Note: Mike Abelson provided content for this piece.
Understand how and why custom hunting knives cost what they do.
When I attend shows, one of my main goals is to talk with knifemakers and check the prices of various custom knives. One of the best shows to do that is the BLADE Show. This past June my goal in the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta was to talk with 50 custom makers to get their takes on trends, material prices, overall demand, etc., regarding the knives they make and sell.
Luke Dellmyer custom hunting knife.
The custom knife that dominates the fixed-blade market is the hunter. This is due primarily to the fact that there seems to be an endless variety of hunting knives that can be made, and they usually have a lower price point than many other custom knives. Unlike other customs, hunting knives are often bought for use. Consequently, they are frequently tested by many users, from the casual outdoorsman to the professional hunting guide. The firearm may dispatch the game, but the knife provides the meat and potentially the trophy the taxidermist creates.
Over the years, thousands of articles have been written on and about hunting knives, including a few by this writer. In this article, I want to discuss not types or designs but pricing on knives in the hunter category.
Custom Hunting Knives Cost
Wess Barnhill ladder-pattern damascus hunter.
Several factors go into the cost of building or making anything. Most makers need a place to make the knives, usually a garage or a shop. Next comes the equipment, which varies from maker to maker. Belts for grinding, polishing and putting an edge on the blade can be one of the more costly items a maker utilizes. Electricity, propane or wood provide the energy to work the materials that become the knife. No matter how the knife is built, these are typical costs shared by most makers. The costs vary depending on the prices of the materials to make the knife. Steel, guard/bolster material, handle material and leather if a sheath is required all impact the finished knife’s price, as will the maker’s skill at using these materials.
Custom Hunting Knives Blade Steel
Dan Lewis’ dmascus and copper san-mai hunters, both striking outdoor options.
The majority of makers use either stainless or carbon steel. Each offers advantages and disadvantages. Because of the diversity of steel, hunters can select a knife with the steel that best suits their needs.
Some hunters prefer patterned damascus steel, such as the ladder pattern of the damascus hunter by ABS master smith Russ Andrews (see accompanying image). Some hunters indicate the damascus blade’s distal tapering and differential heat treatment give the knife a better edge-holding capability. Others prefer steel of a san-mai construction as in the knife of ABS journeyman smith Dan Lewis. By forge welding more malleable steel onto either side of a harder steel, san-mai provides the blade with more structural integrity without sacrificing its ability to hold an edge.
As you can imagine, creating these steels takes additional time and is an added expense. The steels can add anywhere from $150 to $400 to the knife’s cost.
Custom Hunting Knives Handle
Russ Andrews amber stag hunter is a looker.
The handle material varies from natural to such synthetic(s) as G-10, carbon fiber and Micarta®. Natural handle materials are even more diverse, including ivory, antler/horn, wood, mother-of-pearl and bone. The advantage of synthetics is they are not subject to the effects of weather and temperature and so do not shrink and/or expand. Also, Micarta and G-10 are less expensive than some natural handle materials.
Natural handle materials can give your knife a unique look, making it stand out from other knives. Ivory, predominantly mammoth or ancient walrus ivory, is among the most distinctive and expensive handle materials used on hunting knives. Mammoth ivory comes in the form of scales and can cost anywhere from $100 to $250. Ancient walrus ivory costs are largely determined by the color(s) and condition. Prices generally range from $200 to $400.
Antlers and horns of all types have been used as knife handles from the onset of knives being built. The most commonly used antler on custom hunting knives is Sambar stag. In addition to its classic look, the natural lands* and grooves of the antler will contour to your hand, giving you a better grip when using the knife. Stag’s demand and lack of supply over the past 15 years have driven the price up considerably. You can expect to add $125 to $175 to the cost of the knife for an excellent piece of stag.
Mike Malosh’s hunters are outfitted with either an elk and black Micarta or stacked leather washers.
Watching the price of stag increase encouraged me to look at other members of the deer family. One such member is the elk. It has many of the same characteristics as the stag antler, such as the natural lands, grooves and coloring. However, the price is considerably less than stag—around $50. The Elk Hunter (see accompanying image) by Mike Malosh gives you an idea of what an elk antler looks like on a custom hunting knife.
Wood is also a favorite handle material for both makers and collectors. Talk about diversity—wood offers just about any color you could want. Now, with the wood stabilization process commonplace, you eliminate most of the adverse effects of weather on the natural handle material. The price point for wood ranges from $5 to $50 to $75 for scales or a block of desert ironwood or koa. The damascus hunter by ABS journeyman smith Wess Barnhill features a beautiful set of desert ironwood scales. Its range of colors helps ironwood find its way to many knife handles.
Walnut is a hardwood favored by makers such as ABS journeyman smith Luke Dellmyer. It is a very stable, attractive wood that costs $30 a block. Another natural handle material I like, but you don’t see much, is stacked leather washers, as on the Mike Malosh Bear Hunter. One advantage I found with stacked leather is that, over time, the handle material will conform to your hand, providing you with a custom grip. You can expect stacked leather to add about $30 to the knife’s cost.
What Makes A True Value
As a professional custom knife purveyor, I offer prices based on my conversations with suppliers and makers and the materials I have bought over the years. As you know, everything gets more expensive, so prices may vary. The makers’ ability to combine the materials to create functional and aesthetically pleasing knives comes from years of honing their skills in their shops. Once you understand material pricing and can differentiate the skill levels of the different makers, you will realize that this is where the true value lies.
*Like on the inside of the barrel of a firearm, lands are the raised part of the antler and the grooves are the recessed part.
Check Out More Outdoor Knives:
NESSMUK KNIFE: OPTIONS IN THE ALL-AMERICAN OUTDOOR KNIFE
BEST TOMAHAWKS: OUR TOP HAWKS FOR BACKWOODS TO BATTLEFIELDS
Texas-based maker gives his take on the Randall Model 19.
It’s safe to say Adam Williams has had a lifelong love affair with Randall Made Knives.
“I’ve been drawn to Randall Made Knives and their designs since my grandmother gave me a copy of the 1973 edition of The Gun Digest Book of Knives and saw my first image of a Randall knife. I was around 11 or 12,” he wrote.
Little did this matriarch know where her gift was going to lead her grandson. Eventually, the Texas-based maker said he worked for the legendary company when a chance trip to Randall’s headquarters in Orlando, Florida, for a stock sale developed into a whole lot more.
“While there, I asked if they ever hired. They told me they were actually hiring right now and would need me to start within two weeks,” Williams related. “I rode back to Tampa and asked my now wife if she’d be open to moving to Orlando, and without hesitation, she said, ‘Let’s do it.’ I showed up for my first day at Randall Made Knives expecting to sweep floors. Instead, they handed me a piece of steel stamped Randall Made, Orlando, Florida and told me to start grinding. I couldn’t believe it.”
Given this history, it’s little surprise Williams finds Randall a wellspring of inspiration in his own creations. His 10.63-inch Silverado hunting knife is one such example. The blade style is modeled after the stout design of the Randall Model 19—also known as the Bushmaster.
Adam Williams
Williams gives the classic all-purpose design his own twist, forming the ample 6-inch blade from Baker Forge Raindrop copper go mai and outfitting it with an azure hunk of fossilized walrus ivory. He finishes it all off with a nickel silver guard and butt cap. Despite his familiarity with Randall’s design language, his Silverado presented challenges, particularly in venturing into new materials.
“This was my first time using Cu Mai, and thus my main challenge with this knife. It was also my first time using Gator Piss etch,” Williams said. “Jordan Berthelot of JB Blades provided plenty of tips regarding the etch. This coupled with multiple re-sanding, re-buffing and re-etching, I finally got the finish I was looking for on the blade.”
Rare materials, excellent execution and legendary inspiration—it’s likely Randall’s namesake, Bo, would have approved of Williams’ work.
