I almost got the #20 instead of the #6....the main difference I think is blade stock 1/8" vs 5/32" respectively. I really like the one you have. I like braiding so I always want a lanyard hole, even though I have stayed with the simple leather thong and antler bead Gene supplies.
My double sheath was at my request. I wanted a Hunter's pair and ask Gene about a piggyback sheath...small knife on top of the larger one, and he then ask me about the spine-to-spine. The book under the Great Plains Skinner is "The Skinning Knife" by MC Cole....an excellent historical review of the knives of the plains. In it was essentially that flat spine-to-spine sheath. It had a slot in the center for a steel which I tried to find an old one to include but just could not get it together in time. Anyway that sheath was a first combo for Gene and I bought the whole package of 2 knives and 3 sheaths together....I sort of think Gene made me a good deal just because he likes to make new stuff from time to time.
I have no idea how much each of the individual sheaths added to the package but my guess is not much....not meaning that this is what everyone should expect but just in the context of this transaction.
Chad wrote a spectacular review of one of Ingram's #1 patterns. I totally agree with his conclusions and his observations on the knife and sheath. I just cannot seem to stop getting knives from Gene as I seem to have found a maker that suites my prefered styles, is exceptionally responsive to weird requests, and of course, makes fine knives at exceptional prices with relatively short delivery times.
Chads review is here, and well worth reading....
http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=115
Chad takes great care to review tools in "real" use manners that I find perfectly suited to my normal and expected uses. Ingram's blades have impressed me greatly. I am working on an Ingram review that is not like Chad's with emphasis on testing but more about Ingram himself and his knifemaking style. This will not be up for some time, however.
The nicest thing about Ingram is that for somewhere around $120 you can have a great knife.....in many cases this is not much more and maybe even less than production knives. An extra few bucks can add some unique materials, but really a basic Ingram say with Micarta is a knife anyone would be proud to own and most likely a tool passed down with pride.
I feel very fortunate to have the ones I have, and to "know" Gene through them.
My next one again has a sheath design of my own......a neck sheath that hopefully will solve some of the things I most hate about this type of carry. Flat 6-plait kangaroo braid behind the neck then round 6-plait through "tunnels" on each side of the sheath...sort of making a bolo tie sheath. I am an odd character already, this should just add to the mix :roll:
Here is a preview of both the knife and the sheath idea.
and an image from Gene of the SLK knife...mine will be in green jigged bone.
I braided the kangaroo bolo that will go on this design. It is unterminated until Gene threads it into the sheath. It is also several inches longer than waist length...I will trim to suit. This could also be worn cross chest for underarm carry. The knife profile is small Sebenza like eh?
Sorry about the weird color cast...
