Shinken and Tiffers make a present....

[British Red]

Well, here’s the other set I promised to show (a present for a mate whose trail mark you can see on both items). Hes in the car on the way here so I reckon its safe to post withou wrecking the surprise

Knife by Shinken – handles of Palmira, blade 12c27 steel .

Sheath by Tiffers, “double dangler” belt loop (allowing the knife to be worn high or low) with paulted trail mark on the front. Matching case with belt loop containing DC4 diamond/ceramic stone and firesteel loop.

My sole contribution was to co-operate with Tiffers on the design (I kind of like the separate pouch for stone and steel)…oh yeah and picking up the tab.

Thanks so much to Tiffers and Shinken for their work on this…reckon its better than a book token?

Red

 

[-Switch-]

Good work Shinken and Tiffers


Good stuff Red, but I reckon your mate would prefer the book token.
Incidentally, I'd be able to relieve you of the knife if you like, free of charge, to save you any embarassment (Why is there no 'jealous' emoticon? )









By the way... trail mark?? you've mentioned this before - what's it all about?

 

[British Red]

Good work Shinken and Tiffers

Good stuff Red, but I reckon your mate would prefer the book token.
Incidentally, I'd be able to relieve you of the knife if you like, free of charge, to save you any embarassment (Why is there no 'jealous' emoticon? )

By the way... trail mark?? you've mentioned this before - what's it all about?

Sorry Switch, from his reaction I expect he wants to hang on to it - Tiffers and Shinken, Tim sends his thanks (well he will when he recovers the power of speech - he's a little overcome right now!).

Switch - trail mark....

Originally used by people marking trails to show that they had passed that way. I'm sure you have seen the various arrangements of sticks, stones and other materials used to guide someone following a "trail blazer". Originally of course, people used to "blaze" or cut trees to show a route - we don't do that now of course.

So - you have various signs that show where to go and not to go, but, who left the mark ...and who else is "en route"? So the trail mark is a way to show who is communicating (kind of like a radio callsign if you will). Why a mark? Well, literacy was an issue of course and "discretion" too.

Some of us use them for a variety of purposes - not least to mark our gear, bivi locations etc. Rather nicer than scratching your initials on something - it can be embroidered, engraved, branded, paulted or carved into your posessions. A small flat piece of wood in a flat stick can be left outside your hammock (like a house sign). Means nothing to anyone else, but your buddy pitching up late knows its okay to prod that particular green maggot!

Some groups also use other marks for other meanings. Gypsies (Romany) used to mark signs on farm gateposts etc. meaning "not welcome here", "good folk" etc. for their brethren.

Think of it like a simple avatar if you like

Red

 

[Shinken]

I am glad he like's it!

But i think Tiffers work is a bit too classy for the knife!

 

[British Red]

Shinken,

There speaks a modest craftsmen The knife and sheath complement each other perfectly - Tim spent a lot of time "fondling" and asking about it - he really liked the palmira!

So, IMHO, a knife like that deserves a quaility sheath - thanks again mate :You_Rock_

Red