Jay Bigler: His fixed-blade knives

[MaryJayn Bigler]

This early knife is unusual for the fact that it is dated... 1997. "Jay Bigler" is engraved on the other side.

[MaryJayn Bigler]

No two are alike, but this one gets pretty close to one that I posted on Dec. 4. There are differences, but they are slight.

[MaryJayn Bigler]

Antler and steel...

[MaryJayn Bigler]

White and gold...

[MaryJayn Bigler]

Yes, Dad used a lot of white...

[1967redrider]

Those last three look like they would be excellent skinners. Thanks for posting!

[MaryJayn Bigler]

Those last three look like they would be excellent skinners. Thanks for posting!

You're welcome!

[MaryJayn Bigler]

I really like the pattern on this blade. It shifts as it is moved in the light.

[Madmarco]

All great skinners you've been posting M.J.! The all-metal folder in your store is also very cool! There's a specific name for that dimpling on the blade, I think it's Japanese but I can't recall the name!

[ken98k]

All great skinners you've been posting M.J.! The all-metal folder in your store is also very cool! There's a specific name for that dimpling on the blade, I think it's Japanese but I can't recall the name!

It's called jewelling and commonly found on firearms. The actual purpose for it is to help retain oil on the surface to which it has been applied.

[doglegg]

I enjoy your post and your Dad's knives Mary-Jayn

[MaryJayn Bigler]

All great skinners you've been posting M.J.! The all-metal folder in your store is also very cool! There's a specific name for that dimpling on the blade, I think it's Japanese but I can't recall the name!

Thanks, Marco! And thanks for checking out items in my "store". I am very grateful that I can list them for sale here.

[MaryJayn Bigler]

All great skinners you've been posting M.J.! The all-metal folder in your store is also very cool! There's a specific name for that dimpling on the blade, I think it's Japanese but I can't recall the name!

It's called jewelling and commonly found on firearms. The actual purpose for it is to help retain oil on the surface to which it has been applied.

Thank you for the information, Ken. I have learned something new today. Always a good day when one can learn something new.

[MaryJayn Bigler]

I enjoy your post and your Dad's knives Mary-Jayn

Thank you, doglegg!

[Madmarco]

All great skinners you've been posting M.J.! The all-metal folder in your store is also very cool! There's a specific name for that dimpling on the blade, I think it's Japanese but I can't recall the name!

It's called jewelling and commonly found on firearms. The actual purpose for it is to help retain oil on the surface to which it has been applied.

Thanks for the info Ken! I learned something new today too!

[MaryJayn Bigler]

A "middle period" knife...

[MaryJayn Bigler]

Well, this is it for the old photos and the pictures of Dad's fixed-blade knives that I have sold. I wanted to group these together to show how Dad's gun-stock knives evolved over time. There are a couple of them in the group photo that I posted several weeks ago on the forum with Dad's folding knives. All of the knives in that photo were made in 2004 and the first part of 2005. Of the other two pictures, the one with the sheath that looks much like a gun scabbard is the first one he ever made. The other is for sale here in my store. As you can see, they got less detailed and more "free form" in a way.

[MaryJayn Bigler]

If you have checked out my "store", you have probably seen these photographs of these knives already. In case you haven't, here are the fixed blades that I have listed there so far. There will be more of both folding knives (those have already been posted in the other forum about those) and the fixed-blades. Thank you to all who have checked out the two forums where I have been showing Dad's work.

[MaryJayn Bigler]

New in the "store"...

[1967redrider]

Those gunstocks are very cool.

[MaryJayn Bigler]

Those gunstocks are very cool.

[MaryJayn Bigler]

Top drawer! Literally. Yes, it's a nice knife, and it's new in my store. Dad stored it in the top drawer of the map chest that Mom and I gave Dad one year for Christmas for keeping his knives. The chest has five drawers. Dad filled that up pretty fast. That's why I have found knives everywhere around the house.

[Dan In MI]

I've said before that I briefly had a Jay Bigler knife in my hands last year, when it made a stopover on an international trek. Lately I've become more interested in fixed blades, and hopefully I'll be able to pick up a Jay Bigler fixed blade of my own one day. They sure are nice!

[MaryJayn Bigler]

I've said before that I briefly had a Jay Bigler knife in my hands last year, when it made a stopover on an international trek. Lately I've become more interested in fixed blades, and hopefully I'll be able to pick up a Jay Bigler fixed blade of my own one day. They sure are nice!

I would love to hear more of that story and the knife!

[Dan In MI]

Of course!

A fellow AAPK member asked me to forward it to him, and I agreed. The knife had a drop point blade (if I recall correctly) that had a dark coating. "Jay Bigler Anna, IL" was engraved or stamped in script. I'm pretty sure the handles were stag. I really liked the look and feel of it. Now I wish I had taken more detailed notes and/or not deleted the photos I sent to the knife's new owner.