Recently I gathered up more than a dozen of my fixed blade knives for a photograph, and when recounting to my son the origin of each, it occurred to me that I had only purchased two "hunting/camping" knives in the last 43 years, and the most expensive of the two cost $5.50, (in 1974). Most of my fixed blade knives were gifts from friends and family, or taken in as trades for of all things, surplus chickens. Some of my "gift" fixed blade knives I've never used, having simply forgotten having them, while others have been quite literally worn out from use. At 64, I certainly don't "need" another knife, but I've been looking at new knives, looking for something special, something "bling-ish", something extremely well made, and with an equally well made leather sheath.
My 2 favorite fixed blade knives are both, from pommel to tip, 8 1/2" long; I've large hands, the 2 knives could have been a trifle longer. I looked at getting a Randall, but don't fancy waiting 4 or 5 years for a custom from them, nor do I leap joyously at the thought of paying $700 for a Randall of a design of someone else's choosing. I've contacted two custom knife makers: one in the UK (Raven), and one in the US (Anderson Forge), neither have responded, and me with ready cash and a design in mind.
I like a quillon, front and rear. I like a straight swage atop the back of the blade. I like thumb grooves. I like a blade with a continuous belly. I like stag handles. I like a full tang. I like the handle to be swelled toward the center. I like carbon steel. I don't like a very thick blade; 5/64" is more than thick enough.
If you were going to buy what might be the "knife of a lifetime": What might it be? Who would make it? What features would it need have?
My 2 favorite fixed blade knives are both, from pommel to tip, 8 1/2" long; I've large hands, the 2 knives could have been a trifle longer. I looked at getting a Randall, but don't fancy waiting 4 or 5 years for a custom from them, nor do I leap joyously at the thought of paying $700 for a Randall of a design of someone else's choosing. I've contacted two custom knife makers: one in the UK (Raven), and one in the US (Anderson Forge), neither have responded, and me with ready cash and a design in mind.
I like a quillon, front and rear. I like a straight swage atop the back of the blade. I like thumb grooves. I like a blade with a continuous belly. I like stag handles. I like a full tang. I like the handle to be swelled toward the center. I like carbon steel. I don't like a very thick blade; 5/64" is more than thick enough.
If you were going to buy what might be the "knife of a lifetime": What might it be? Who would make it? What features would it need have?
