Tuna Valley Cutlery Co., Excelsior Knife Co., & Napanoch Knife Co. are three popular brands currently controlled by The Daniels family. These are old names that went dormant for years, but have since been brought back to life with modern offerings. This forum is here to discuss & show off knives & related items with brand names under the Daniels Family umbrella.
Rookie wrote: ↑Wed Dec 06, 2023 7:46 pm
This Old Man Norman was a 1 piece special prototype with handles by Mammoth Mike. Yellow mammoth tooth handles, and a rooster shield.
Cool Rooster Shield and of course the mammoth tooth scales are amazing! Carl, if you ever decide you have too many DFKB knives, I'll be happy to take a few off your hands brother.
I'll be sure to let you know. For now I'm still on the hunt for more, but I'm sure some day, it will be time to let them go to new homes.
I should be on track for showing my entire Tuna Valley collection here by New Years. Only a few handfuls still to go. After that, I'll just post here when I have new ones to show. Or maybe do some fancy group shots.
Next up, the production run of the Old Man Norman in 2022 in Amber Stag.
Rookie wrote: ↑Mon Dec 11, 2023 1:09 pm
I should be on track for showing my entire Tuna Valley collection here by New Years. Only a few handfuls still to go. After that, I'll just post here when I have new ones to show. Or maybe do some fancy group shots.
Next up, the production run of the Old Man Norman in 2022 in Amber Stag.
Great looking Old Man Norman, Carl! Look forward to seeing some group shots of your TVs. I think a group shot of Burnt Stags, Amber Stags & Ivories would look amazing...
Rookie wrote: ↑Mon Dec 11, 2023 1:09 pm
I should be on track for showing my entire Tuna Valley collection here by New Years. Only a few handfuls still to go. After that, I'll just post here when I have new ones to show. Or maybe do some fancy group shots.
Next up, the production run of the Old Man Norman in 2022 in Amber Stag.
Great looking Old Man Norman, Carl! Look forward to seeing some group shots of your TVs. I think a group shot of Burnt Stags, Amber Stags & Ivories would look amazing...
For sure, I'll be doing some group shots like that!
Rookie wrote: ↑Mon Dec 11, 2023 1:09 pm
Old Man Norman in 2022 in Amber Stag.
Love the Amber Stag!
Since I have never seen or handled an OMN in person, I am curious about the thickness of the stag handle scales.
I'll grab a few and take some photos after work so you can get an idea. For the stag and ivory, they are usually pretty thick slabs. For a collectible knife, I like a thick chunk of gnarly stag or character ivory. But I do see the point people make about how they don't ride in the pocket very well if you are carrying them around.
The wood, jig bone, or buffalo horn ones are fairly thing handle slabs.
Rookie wrote: ↑Mon Dec 11, 2023 7:25 pm
For the stag and ivory, they are usually pretty thick slabs. For a collectible knife, I like a thick chunk of gnarly stag or character ivory. But I do see the point people make about how they don't ride in the pocket very well if you are carrying them around.
Agreed . I only collect, never carry, my Tunas and a thick slab o stag looks really good in my display case. Although, TBH, I did think some of the stag handles I saw on some Phoenix Jacks were much too fat which made the hafting look a bit awkward.
Here is a shot of most of the production run Old Man Norman knives. From left to right:
Mammoth Bark Ivory
Green Maple Burl
Buffalo Horn
Burnt Stag
Crosscut Mammoth Ivory
Amber Stag
Jig Bone
I've learned from talking with the knifemaker that the thickness of the handles (particularly with stag) is also affected from how much curvature there is on the outside edge of the antler. Too much curve makes it harder to thin it down, or you lose the width necessary for larger (wider) pattern types.
Another Old Man Norman, this was part of the Cultured Artistry Collection series in 2022. Green mammoth tooth, and a "tree of life" shield. A lot of folks commented that the shield too closely resembled the Boker logo, so no others were made after this 1 release.
Rookie wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2023 2:46 pm
Another Old Man Norman, this was part of the Cultured Artistry Collection series in 2022. Green mammoth tooth, and a "tree of life" shield. A lot of folks commented that the shield too closely resembled the Boker logo, so no others were made after this 1 release.
Beautiful knife, I do agree it looks quite a bit like the biker shield though.
Rookie wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 5:49 pm
Here is the last Old Man Norman that I have to show. It is a prototype done by Oiseau Metal Arts with fluted ivory and Mayan art theme engraving.
Once again you saved the best for last. That one is absolutely stunning; I love everything about it!
Rookie wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 5:49 pm
Here is the last Old Man Norman that I have to show. It is a prototype done by Oiseau Metal Arts with fluted ivory and Mayan art theme engraving.
Rookie wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 5:49 pm
Here is the last Old Man Norman that I have to show. It is a prototype done by Oiseau Metal Arts with fluted ivory and Mayan art theme engraving.
Once again you saved the best for last. That one is absolutely stunning; I love everything about it!
Is the pile side bolster also engraved?
Thanks Q, yes pile side is an exact match of the front.
Rookie wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 5:49 pm
Here is the last Old Man Norman that I have to show. It is a prototype done by Oiseau Metal Arts with fluted ivory and Mayan art theme engraving.
Rookie wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 7:58 pm
To go along with the previous prototype, this was another prototype by Oiseau Metal Arts done on the Old Man Jack pattern, with the same theme.
Every time I think you've reached the pinnacle you show yet another one at the next level beyond. The show just keeps getting better and better.
Rookie wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 7:58 pm
To go along with the previous prototype, this was another prototype by Oiseau Metal Arts done on the Old Man Jack pattern, with the same theme.
Rookie wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 7:58 pm
To go along with the previous prototype, this was another prototype by Oiseau Metal Arts done on the Old Man Jack pattern, with the same theme.
Every time I think you've reached the pinnacle you show yet another one at the next level beyond. The show just keeps getting better and better.
haha, well I'm glad you are enjoying. Not too many left to go. But there are always more prototypes out there to track down, and still a handful of other Tuna knives that I've seen, but not had the chance to purchase. Some built on the S&M Express switchblade, for example. And there should be a new pattern or 2 in 2024 coming for the Tuna line, which will be fun.
Rookie wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 7:58 pm
To go along with the previous prototype, this was another prototype by Oiseau Metal Arts done on the Old Man Jack pattern, with the same theme.
Another beauty Carl, and interesting scroll work.
Thanks! Yes I thought it was pretty interesting. I'm not sure if it was ever planned to go into full production, or if it was just allowing the artist to do something unique on a couple pieces. Either way, pretty neat.
Rookie wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 5:49 pm
Here is the last Old Man Norman that I have to show. It is a prototype done by Oiseau Metal Arts with fluted ivory and Mayan art theme engraving.
Wow what killer bolster. They should do more like that, some kind of glyph like that is fabulous. Not to mention the fabulous colors in that Mammoth tusk. What a cool piece, that is art at it's best.
"It's what people know about themselves inside that makes them afraid." -No Name, High Plains Drifter
Rookie wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 5:49 pm
Here is the last Old Man Norman that I have to show. It is a prototype done by Oiseau Metal Arts with fluted ivory and Mayan art theme engraving.
Wow what killer bolster. They should do more like that, some kind of glyph like that is fabulous. Not to mention the fabulous colors in that Mammoth tusk. What a cool piece, that is art at it's best.
This past summer there was a run of new knife picks by a different knifemaker. These were marked "1st Run". They came in 3 different handle types: Burnt Stag, Mammoth Ivory, and Burnt Orange Burl.
Finishing out the year showing a few more Tuna Valley knives. This is the newest one to my collection, the last of the Phoenix Jack releases. This one in Gaboon Ebony wood with Raindrop Damascus blade.
The last one is this unique 1 piece prototype. It is called the "Pathfinder" and was built on the Phoenix Jack frame. This was a test to try out some possibilities for future runs, including: a small recessed EO to reach the nail pull, fluted/lined bolsters, laser etching on the blade, compass insert in the handle, and a different type of handle material (in this case, compressed hemp wood).
I'll be sure to let you know. For now I'm still on the hunt for more, but I'm sure some day, it will be time to let them go to new homes.
. I only collect, never carry, my Tunas and a thick slab o stag looks really good in my display case. Although, TBH, I did think some of the stag handles I saw on some Phoenix Jacks were much too fat which made the hafting look a bit awkward. 
