Ingram Sod Buster slip-joint

[Schwert]

I posted this over at BB yesterday, but thought I would put it over here too. I got an email yesterday from Gene Ingram answering another question I had asked him and he kindly attached an image of his latest work. I was just about blown away when I saw he had created a slip-joint folder. A traditional Sod Buster pattern slip joint has never really been too high on my list of must haves….until I opened his image.

It only took me about 20 seconds to ask him more questions about this knife.

This knife has polished linen micarta scales, stainless pins, nickel silver liners, and done in 1/8” thick D2 with a 3.5” blade. Overall it is 4.75” long.

I quote Gene:

Only the one model initially...traditionally styled slip joint with bronze washers...big folder with rock solid spring lock-up. I will not take orders, but will make a call list of those interested. As a knife comes available I will offer it to the first on the list with pictures, a full description and price. I will start these big knives at $400. I have a short list going.

Well I am on the short list……and cannot wait to get my call

I know this slip joint is a bit too long for you folks to carry, but Gene asked me today how the UK determines blade length….a few minutes in the legal forum at BB and I gave him some suggestions.

I am excited about this one.

 

[jojo]

That's a beauty! I didn't realise you could polish Micarta to that extend

 

[bushwacker bob]

That is superb! If Gene made those with a less than 3" blade he'd sell them all day long on this side of the pond,even at $400 with current exchange rates.

 

[Hoodoo]

Showoff!

Bob, I got a feeling Gene has a 3-incher already on the drawing board.

 

[Schwert]

Showoff!

Bob, I got a feeling Gene has a 3-incher already on the drawing board.

Yeah, this is one I could not help but showoff....A UK Sod Buster.....seems a novel idea eh?

 

[bushwacker bob]

Well there are lots of UK sods,so bring on the buster.

 

[Schwert]

Here are some more images of this knife. I had to return the prototype today so spent a few minutes taking some photos this weekend. All week I opened and closed this one trying to see if there were any recommendations I could make for Gene. I could not think of a single thing to change. I cannot wait for my name to come up the list.

 

[michiel]

Man I wish I could afford such a slippie! Very nice lines!

Michiel

 

[CatFisH]

I was on the list early and as the knife became availiable....Gene handed me mine on Monday...it is typical of Gene Ingram's flawless execution of a classic pattern...a solid working folder that won't be stuffed in the bottom of the sock drawer and be only collectable...

it is a masterpiece of perfection...

 

[Schwert]

Well CatFish and I were neck and neck on the top of Gene’s list. We both got our large SodBusters this week and I could not be more happy.

Turns out that this one is mighty familiar to me….this is the prototype I had for an early inspection….this time returned sharp and MINE.

This is definitely a high class working knife. Definitely meant for daily use.

Vietnamese Sandwich….Marinated grilled pork, cucumber, daikon radish, marinated carrots, cilantro, jalapeño peppers with mayo and a soy-based sauce on a crusty French roll, all for $3.

I am at the top of the world with this slipjoint from Gene. Not sure I will ever need another knife…..oh wait, there was that smaller version of the SodBuster coming along. I had better put my name on the list again…..

 

[Hoodoo]

Well CatFish and I were neck and neck on the top of Gene’s list. We both got our large SodBusters this week and I could not be more happy.


I am at the top of the world with this slipjoint from Gene. Not sure I will ever need another knife…..oh wait, there was that smaller version of the SodBuster coming along. I had better put my name on the list again…..

Neck and neck BUT....

Better getchyur name on that list cuz ya never know when ya might get scooped...






again.

 

[Schwert]

Here are some“action” shots of Gene Ingram’s incredible SodBuster from my weekends adventure……plus a tongue-in-cheek story.



Slogging round and round the estate grinding grass, clover and moss with the power mower is dull work, but what good is a SodBuster with busting some Sod?

Mowing the lawn in a gentle rain shower is a rather unique Seattle experience. Cool and refreshing it can be, but sometimes a few minutes alone with camera and a few tools can make up for the rather mundane aspect of the lawn cutting.

Here I gathered up my favorite hot water boilers and decided to make a cup of tea with the new Ingram SodBuster in the staring role. The large Kelly I picked up from Lee Valley about a year ago and it has ridden around in my Emergency kit in the trunk of my car. I had never gotten around to burning it in….an essential to remove machining grease and sealant. So now was as good a time as any. I had to prune out some dead wood in an ornamental plant so I saved off some pencil sized sticks plus some thumb sized ones for tea making…all cut with my Felco pruners. With a paper of gunpowder, my large Kelly filled, and SodBuster at the ready, I got started.

First a couple of fuzz sticks.

Then some powered cedar bark scrapped with the SodBuster.

And some fine shavings of the cedar, the powdered cedar and shaving usually work quite well catching firesteel sparks.

A folding knife presents some challenges to use of a firesteel. I generally like to use the knife spine for scraping, but in this case having an Ingram sharp blade fold back is not a good idea, so I used the square corner at base of the knife blade behind the grind plunge. Realistically using the flat metal scraper that comes with the firesteel might have been a more logical choice, but then this tea brewup would not have had the necessary adventure that only the use of a fine custom knife can bring to backyard brewups.

Blow the spark up into flame.

And transfer on a rare and valuable piece of birch bark (stolen from my neighbor’s tree) to the Kelly fire pan.

A few minutes later the Kelly is boiling furiously and ready for brewup.

Actually this water plus two more boilups needed to be discarded to get rid of the Kelly sealant and other goop…but for illustration purposes this is….well sort of gritty Imperial gunpowder tea.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

man that is a gorgeous looking blade..... i love gene's work.... i have his $30 drop point....

 

[TheGreenMan]

Gorgeous folder, Schwert, but way beyond my 'white trash' pocket

I’m envious of those that can afford it

Best regards,
Paul.