I never even realised i had these posts, i swear when i subscribe i don't get email notification ><
Thanks for all the feedback, very much appreciated. I am going ahead with mark hill as maker regardless of exact style. I have initially asked about a woodlore 'clone' on the basis the handle may suit my hand better (the outer bones in my hand have a wonky set from a break); the fatter handle with taper and pronounced pommel section look very practical.
Only the more i look the more i prefer the style of the SPB over the woodlore visually. It is a very nice bit of kit and the blade is very similar to the woodlore so i presume it must be a very effective design for all round use. I am thinking about asking for a hybrid: get the more pronounced pommel section and handle taper from the woodlore but keep the overall shape of the spb. Essentially SPB looks with woodlore grip.
Now the eagle, i am not sure about visually (i know, i know). It seems to have the better functionality going by the review linked below and i can see what is meant regarding the curves. But, there is something about the shape that doesn't sit right with me. I understand that is fairly shallow and i am looking for a tool, but, well, yknow; there is always going to be a visual attraction aspect to a blade and the SPB is the best looking knife of that class i am yet to find. The things i find less nice to look at on the eagle are the very things that add functionality according to the review linked (the convex grinds).
So, what i ask is: how does the SPB compare to the eagle in use on various tasks? Assuming they are both 3mm blades. If the eagle excels at cutting and working wood for craft, what do the SPB and woodlore excel at in comparison? Opinions seem to be the eagle is better than the woodlore, but what about the SPB?. Bear in mind i will probably be going for 3mm on any style. All opinions welcome, used em or not.
I am currently seeing this as a compromise. Shift some appearance for functionality and vice versa. This may well be a poor observation in that experience will render the SPB or woodlore every bit as practical.
Sorry for all the waffle and thanks for any further input, as you have probably guessed i have had knifes on my mind all day today and have a habit of over thinking, after all it is 1:31 and i am still at it.
Cheers, tally.