my first custom knife

[TTEscrima]

That's sad... I've been fortunate I suppose. So far the guys I've purchased from were straight shooters (and well organized)...

Even out of country orders have been delivered on time...

I dare say I'll never order another custom again, I've had terrible experiences with designs stolen and custom knives that were "lost" and yet turned up in other peoples hands. I'm owed 4 customs that I've written off all from well known makers. For the last decade I've carried a fixed blade tanto made for me by the man who makes the CIA and NSA's knives, it cost me a sixth of the customs.

[DickHardman]

They served in the Congo and learned a healthy respect for sticks and knives in the process.

can you go into more detail about this??

[TTEscrima]

can you go into more detail about this??

They were sent to the Congo in 59 and both have scars from spear wounds and knives from going h2h with tribal warriors before the UN allowed use of deadly force in 62. Prior to that they had empty weapons they had to use as clubs whenever the riots broke out. Aside from that look up the Belgium Congo crisis for a look at what the country was like back then.

[TTEscrima]

TTE,
My father is a custom knifemaker and is not far from you. He doesn't do work for the general public, but his stuff is truly hard-use and classy to boot. He made one a few years ago for a friend of mine. When he presented it, my friend said it looked too nice to use. My Dad grabbed it out of his hands, unsheathed it, and pulled his forge hammer out of the toolbox on his truck. Using the two-pound sledge, he hammered that knife right through the diamond steel bumber of the truck. No nicks, no chips, and no tip damage whatsoever. He wedged it back and forth a few times to get it out and grabbed a stone to tune the edge back up, but it still shaved hair without difficulty. He also made one several years back that he used to consecutively butcher a cow and then cut a trailer home in half. It took a while, but he took pictures and documented the whole deal.

If you ever reconsider the custom knifemaker experience, let me know and I'll pass on his contact info.

Sounds like a serious knife!! I appreciate the offer and I'll keep it in mind.

[Tant01]

I dare say I'll never order another custom again, I've had terrible experiences with designs stolen and custom knives that were "lost" and yet turned up in other peoples hands. I'm owed 4 customs that I've written off all from well known makers. For the last decade I've carried a fixed blade tanto made for me by the man who makes the CIA and NSA's knives, it cost me a sixth of the customs.

I was going to say "That's a bummer" but spilling coffee on myself is a bummer... Missing the bus is a bummer... getting screwed like that leaves me searching for the lexicon...

[DickHardman]

i would still like to hear from you guys about why you all chose to carry the benchmade gravitator wharncliff. what makes that knife "the one" ?? what sets it apart??

[TTEscrima]

i would still like to hear from you guys about why you all chose to carry the benchmade gravitator wharncliff. what makes that knife "the one" ?? what sets it apart??

Like I said, I don't carry it because I thinks it's fugly. I do like the handle ergonomics since its great for striking when closed and you can use it any grip including pikal. Aside from that great steel and high quality all around at a reasonable price. They open smooth as glass and lock up is rock solid. I think its pretty much a folding overlord one of the favorite fixed blades around here. I've finally decided on the BM 426 same materials and handle but a spearpoint blade that isn't so freaky looking I think it's less intimidating to the sheeple or a jury if it ever comes to that.

Model 426 Couture

I don't want the fancy ass couture model though.

[Tant01]

I do like a traditional drop point (FIXED) blade... Spare me the serrations though.

[kingoftheforest]

Like I said, I don't carry it because I thinks it's fugly. I do like the handle ergonomics since its great for striking when closed and you can use it any grip including pikal. Aside from that great steel and high quality all around at a reasonable price. They open smooth as glass and lock up is rock solid. I think its pretty much a folding overlord one of the favorite fixed blades around here. I've finally decided on the BM 426 same materials and handle but a spearpoint blade that isn't so freaky looking I think it's less intimidating to the sheeple or a jury if it ever comes to that.

Model 426 Couture

I don't want the fancy ass couture model though.

His problem is he doesn't know what a sweet knife looks like cause he's an old man.

The gravitator is basically a reverse tanto. The opposite side from the norm is sharpened. I bet dollars to donuts it makes a nastier cut than spear point.

[DickHardman]

what do you guys think of the 35 dollar BM instigator. designed by your homie snody.

[kingoftheforest]

Rob Schnider

If it's not a knock off than you got that for about 50% off.

Awesome find that's a decent knife.

[DickHardman]

If it's not a knock off than you got that for about 50% off.

Awesome find that's a decent knife.

new graham knives has em in stock for $31. they are made in taiwan, which accounts for their lower price i believe.

New Graham Knives - Detail

[kingoftheforest]

Trench warfare

WWII knives aren't they? Very rare and hard to find but you get lucky and find one on Ebay from time to time.

More of a collector's item than anything at this point. Knives have evolved way past those antiques.

But still an awesome knife.

[DickHardman]

They were sent to the Congo in 59 and both have scars from spear wounds and knives from going h2h with tribal warriors before the UN allowed use of deadly force in 62. Prior to that they had empty weapons they had to use as clubs whenever the riots broke out. Aside from that look up the Belgium Congo crisis for a look at what the country was like back then.

sounds pretty rough.....

[DickHardman]

btw what do you guys think of this one????