Herman Williams 863 with Elk handles

[doglegg]

Was able to fish this wonderful Herman Williams customized 863 out of the bay. Saw it pop up and figured I had no chance but only two of us bid. In emailing with Mr. Williams about the knife he proved to be the perfect gentleman. I am excited about this one. Thanks for looking.

[Steve Warden]

That's a BEAUTY!

[Doc B]

Gorgeous stag on that one!!!

[philco]

Careful Floyd, you'll get spoiled buying knives like that.

[jerryd6818]

Well, that's pretty spectacular!!!

[doglegg]

Thanks Steve, Doc and Jerry. And Phil, I feel pretty spoiled in having it. Thanks.

[Tony_Wood]

Floyd, that is a beauty. I was not aware of HW knives until this last year. Was introduced by someone else posting one here.
I enjoy his work. Have not held one in hand, but the workmanship appears to be top shelf.

[doglegg]

Thanks Tony. I only knew of him by seeing his work on here. But he is both a craftsman and a gentleman. Thrilled with this one.

[orvet]

That is a beauty Floyd, some of the best done elk stag I have seen.

Floyd, that is a beauty. I was not aware of HW knives until this last year. Was introduced by someone else posting one here.
I enjoy his work. Have not held one in hand, but the workmanship appears to be top shelf.

Don't feel bad Tony, imagine my embarrassment as a Schrade guy when I had been customizing Schrades for two or three years and someone said one of my knives looked like what Herman Williams does. I don't remember the exact wording, but they didn't say my work looked like Herman Williams work, it was more along the lines of my work reminded them of Herman Williams work.

I humbled myself further by asking "Herman who?"
That was when I learned about Herman Williams, the amazing work he does and his special relationship with the old Imperial Schrade Corporation.

I started looking at some of Herman's knives that people were posting on B/F and I learned from looking at his knives that I was just beginning to learn what it meant to customize knives.

Someone suggested that I find a copy of Sargent’s “Guide to Pocket Knives & Razors”; 2nd edition. I think both the 2nd & 3rd additions both have a picture of Herman Williams and about a half a page story about how Herman got started customizing Schrade knives.

[kootenay joe]

The Schrade 863 is a great pattern and these handles are outstanding. I have never seen elk antler with this surface texture or this rich color.
Did you ask Herman if he did anything to enhance these pieces of elk antler ?
kj

[orvet]

The Schrade 863 is a great pattern and these handles are outstanding. I have never seen elk antler with this surface texture or this rich color.
Did you ask Herman if he did anything to enhance these pieces of elk antler ?
kj

I can pretty much guarantee you he dyed the elk antler. It doesn't come that color off of the elk, and the natural color tends to fade, so dying the antler is almost a foregone conclusion, most especially if they are sheds that have spent any time at all laying on the ground in the weather.

[stagman]

Doglegg...that has I believe specially for the size of the knife,
the "very best" Elk Stag scales I have ever saw !!! Gorgeous !!!
Character, color, I tend to lean 80% fixed blade, 20% folder for
knives I have held on to, but that one bud is gonna make myself
take a closer look at what Mr Willams knives are out there for sale.

Stag

[doglegg]

The Schrade 863 is a great pattern and these handles are outstanding. I have never seen elk antler with this surface texture or this rich color.
Did you ask Herman if he did anything to enhance these pieces of elk antler ?
kj

Roland, he described them as 'burned', which I suppose really brought out the texture and produced the color.

Thanks Dale and Stagman. You fellows being knife mechanic's would appreciate Herman's technique even more than me.

[Montanaman]

That's a real beauty, doglegg, congrats.

[doglegg]

Thank you MM, I value your opinion.

[LRV]

Herman is not only a great knife guy but a real gentleman. We have had quite a few e-mail discussions over the years. A great Schrade historian. He loves old cars as well and we had fun comparing our car histories as well. Drop him a note he loves to hear from us all.
TTYL
Larry

[doglegg]

Thanks Larry and I agree.

[bladecollectorr]

The Schrade 863 is a great pattern and these handles are outstanding. I have never seen elk antler with this surface texture or this rich color.
Did you ask Herman if he did anything to enhance these pieces of elk antler ?
kj

Roland, he described them as 'burned', which I suppose really brought out the texture and produced the color.

Thanks Dale and Stagman. You fellows being knife mechanic's would appreciate Herman's technique even more than me.

Really nice 863. Great knife!

Take Herman literally at his word "burnt" on the elk antler treatment on your knife. Schrade factory had basically two stag treatments.

1. "natural stag" which wasn't messed with color-wise like the "Ranger Edition" 5OT knife and many others: http://collectors-of-schrades-r.us/FLYE ... C91-NP.htm

2. "burnt stag" which is carefully toasted with actual fire until the desired range of darker-brown and golden colors like the 85th Anniversary and many others: http://collectors-of-schrades-r.us/FLYE ... C90-42.htm

Williams sometimes adds a third variation. His own "signature reddish-brown" stag-color variation which is his secret formula but it would be the only one of the three that uses dye in the process. Here's a link to an old article about how he does what he does: http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/ ... manacs.pdf

Attached are pics of three more knives as examples. These three are Sambar but the treatments would apply to Elk too.

[kootenay joe]

Good informative post. Thank you bcr !
kj

[doglegg]

Thank you bladecollectorr, very useful information. I appreciate your sharing. I have another one on the way with the reddish brown stag.