Out of Africa....

[smokepole]

I made this recently for a client in the Netherlands. guess it qualifies as a true custom knife, designed to the client's specific requirements, (even though I might well make a few more at a later stage). Anyway, the brief was for something "Out of Africa" and that was very short and suitable for EDC carry. Total knife was not allowed to be longer than 165mm or 6.5", and this knife is just that, although the pronounced curve does add to the length of the cutting edge a bit.

I used typically rustic and natural African materials - the steel is from an old circular saw blade, on which I left the pitting in place, handle scales are African Black Chacate and the bolsters warthog tusk. All pinning and the lanyard tube in brass.

Unlike many short fixed blade knives, this one has a full grip - I have large hands and it fits me perfectly. Despite this the knife, including sheath only weighs 185 grams or 6.5 ounces. It also fits inside the outline of my hand, even sheathed.





I cross cut the tusks to get the internal coloration and kept as much of the original external contours as possible.



The sheath is set up for inside the belt carry, where the belt goes over the sheath and through the loop, catching the sheath and knife between the belt and your body. It is also small enough to carry in your pocket.





Thanks for looking. Comments, as always, are welcome

[royal0014]

Interesting!

[little d.]

i like the blade design and the handle.

[tank]

Unusual design but it looks very useable. Great work Willem.

[Quick Steel]

Unlike many short fixed blade knives, this one has a full grip

I find your work very interesting; unique. My hand is only medium but I favor a relatively large handle on smaller blades. Some well known production companies sometimes fail me in this regard. They don't seem to appreciate how critical the "hand connection" is to the blade.

[smokepole]

Thank you gents!
Tank, thank you, glad you like it! The client reports that he is indeed finding it very useable - he is very happy with the way the knife handles and how much pressure the full handle allows him to put on the short, curved blade - which brings us to Quick Steels point - the handle connection is crucial and is often either overlooked or made subservient to the quest for "looks". I have a real dislike for any knife I cannot grip fully and securely.
Quick Steel, thank you also for the compliment regarding my work, it is much appreciated.

[wishful]

Very cool knife Willem.

[smokepole]

Thanks Gary!

[Easy Goer]

To me, you nailed it! The addition of the warthog tusk and the way it contrasts against the dark wood bespeaks of the African bush, very nice work.

[orvet]

A real beauty Willem!
Every time I see another of your knives I get more excited about getting mine!

Nice work!!!

[jerryd6818]

Every time I see another of your knives I get more excited about getting mine!

Smoke, that's a lightly veiled hint. He's really saying "knuckle down brother and git' 'er done".

[orvet]

Jerry, one must never rush creative genius.
That is why my repairs & custom work takes so long.



I don't have that much genius so I have to nurture it along slowly.

[jerryd6818]

Come on Dale. Don't try to shy a shyster. You're doing the pee-pee dance waiting to get that knife or am I measuring someone else's peck in my half bushel (as my mother used to say).

[Mossdancer]

smokepole:
Well, Goodness knows that I sure resemble Old Sam's quote. So I reckon I will weigh in. First, I regard embellishment to a knife as secondary and yours has a very nice secondary aspect. The utility function is foremost for me and yours has a major drawing point. The short wide blade seem to be ideal for working the heavy skinned animals that exist in Africa although if it exists there a thicker steel might have added a bit of heft. I like the rise for the index finger and with the hefty handle there should be no problem exerting enough pressure to cut through anything. What do you figure the rockwell hardness of the blade after working it came out as(I think maybe 60-62 as the saw blades are tougher than all get out). Regardless of all I have said you have produced a really nice product and your customer likes it so it must be extremely good.
moss

[smokepole]

Sorry for the late reply gents, I have been off sick in bed with bronchitis threatening to go to pneumonia, and since then have had some hectic catching up to do!

Jerry, I hear you about the subtleness of that hint!! Gentle as an earthquake, isn't he?

Dale, I am catching up - yours has been cut and profiled and one of these days the muse is going to grab me by the ear and sit me down next to that knife - I feel it coming on.

Moss, Easy Goer, thank you gentlemen! Moss, I didn't have that one tested but test blades from that specific saw blade have all been around 61/62 - after a double temper cycle. And you are right about the hefty handle couple with the short blade - the new owner reports that it cuts like a machine!

[orvet]

Jerry, I hear you about the subtleness of that hint!! Gentle as an earthquake, isn't he?

It is the Marine in Jerry coming out!