A STRANGE LITTLE KNIFE

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dweb1897
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A STRANGE LITTLE KNIFE

Post by dweb1897 »

This knife was given to me some time back. I suppose a Russlock was the inspiration. The handle is a piece of crown stag. It measures right at 6" open and there is a makers mark on the tang that appears to be a P with a W attached inside a circle. The blade appears to be hand forged. All in all, quite a nice bit of work...but it's the carving on the butt that really makes it a keeper.
CARVED CROWN STAG  RUSSLOCK (1).JPG
CARVED CROWN STAG  RUSSLOCK (2).JPG
CARVED CROWN STAG  RUSSLOCK (3).JPG
CARVED CROWN STAG  RUSSLOCK (4).JPG
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garddogg56
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Re: A STRANGE LITTLE KNIFE

Post by garddogg56 »

That is beautiful ::tu:: ::tu:: 8)
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Old Hunter
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Re: A STRANGE LITTLE KNIFE

Post by Old Hunter »

Really interesting and inspired folk art piece. Wonder what it’s history is and I wonder if the inspiration is the other way around, with the RussLock being inspired by pieces like yours. OH
Deep in the guts of most men is buried the involuntary response to the hunter's horn, a prickle of the nape hairs, an acceleration of the pulse, an atavistic memory of his fathers, who killed first with stone, and then with club...Robert Ruark
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Re: A STRANGE LITTLE KNIFE

Post by SteelMyHeart85420 »

Wish I could see the knife that carved that, had to be some decent steel. Antler is tough stuff
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geocash
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Re: A STRANGE LITTLE KNIFE

Post by geocash »

Looks to me like someone with skill had artistic inspiration. That's a really cool piece.
geocash
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glennbad
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Re: A STRANGE LITTLE KNIFE

Post by glennbad »

Very interesting take on a friction folder. Love the handmade look of it! And that carving at the butt end! ::tu::
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edge213
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Re: A STRANGE LITTLE KNIFE

Post by edge213 »

That is a really cool friction folder.
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Sharpnshinyknives
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Re: A STRANGE LITTLE KNIFE

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

The blade looks to be inspired more from a Higonokami knife. Of course a Russlock is inspired by that as well. Or the person who made it just wanted a way to open it and have the lever flow into the back of the stag. It’s very well done. The carving is pretty amazing.
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Meridian_Mike
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Re: A STRANGE LITTLE KNIFE

Post by Meridian_Mike »

WOW... I just LOVE the face on the end of the horn. That is really great!!

I have seen many items that had faces carved into them for what ever reason the artist deemed "necessary".

I have an old fusee watch from 1810 period that has a face carved into the balance arm....
Thomas Boyfield Melton Fusee movement.JPG
Mike
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Greenman
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Re: A STRANGE LITTLE KNIFE

Post by Greenman »

Attractive knife, dweb1897!

In the world of hand-forged knives, knives like yours are generally known as goblin friction folders. While many modern “heat and beat” knifemakers have tried their hand at making at least one of these folders, I believe that this style was first popularised by a bladesmith named Larry Fuegen. You can find more photos of goblin folders online by running a image search using the keyword string “goblin friction folder knife”.

As mentioned by Old Hunter, extended-tang friction folders existed long before Case introduced their RussLock. I suspect that Case’s designers got their inspiration for the RussLock from these primitive folders.
Josh

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dweb1897
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Re: A STRANGE LITTLE KNIFE

Post by dweb1897 »

I want to thank all of you for the kind words and the info. I learned a lot from this post and sure appreciate it.
I have a hard time trusting someone who doesn't like dogs...but if my dog doesn't like someone, I'll trust that.
Acorn, a better friend than I deserved, gone but never forgotten...run fast and free 11-5-2018 I'll see you soon
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