Knife collectors?

[Da_Shrimp]

I've been here for years, lurking and reading mainly, as I'm not American, but enjoying the discussions; but it never occurred to me before to ask if if anyone else anyone else here is a fan of fine knives and swords.

I just ordered this damasked beauty:

Love the pattering. And it also fascinated me how the design of the Bowie knife descends from the ancient Scramseax

[rhoda_penmark]

That is lovely - do I understand correctly that it was forged in England? Nice to know some that some crafts are being carried on, when most everything is being stamped out in China these days.

Ha ha - it sure looks like it could gut something in an emergency, if needed. :-)

[Spunky]

"...but it never occurred to me before to ask if if anyone else anyone else here is a fan of fine knives and swords."

Not sure if anyone is, but they sure are throwing a lot of DAGGERS at each other lately. :-)

[riverrunner]

Some very good American Damascus knife smiths post here

look at the knifes made by Jerry Fisk true works of art.

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/5021043

[Joe 6-pack]

sword pingworthy?

[DaveA37]

Not a collector. Beautiful knife. +

[Da_Shrimp]

Not seen that - will check it out. The Royal Marines here in the UK have the Fairbairn-Sykes, which is a classic design:

[Vinnie]

That is beautiful.
Went to the site. Saw no mention as to shipping to the USA. You happen to know if that can be done? Might be listed as a weapon of mass admiration. :)
One son is a collector and he’d love to have something like that.

[Vinnie]

I have several folders, a few fixed blades.
Most are Kershaw, USA made. Try to avoid Chinese.

My sons and I were discussing blades and steel just yesterday via texting.
The collector son said the best blades are coming from Italy, forget the city.
Niolox steel, harder than D2 and stainless. Rockwell up around 63-64.

[gunsmithkat]

I have a Puma Tec Damascus folder on my desk. Lovely blade and never needs sharpening.

[onedoug]

[BreezyDog]

I've the 2nd in line here except with the black blade (Elishewitz) I thought this was a work of art until I saw yours...:

[Charles Martel]

A true work of the blacksmith’s art. Almost lost, but now thriving in England (and the US I think).

I've noticed Damascus blades coming out of continental Europe, too - Sweden, Switzerland, even France (I have a beautiful Laguiole pocket knife with Damascus blade - impulse purchase on Amazon).

[Doc91678]

http://www.brettcogburn.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Bowie-Knives6.jpg

That’s the Jim Bowie knife....

[vetvetdoug]

I find old Westerns, Schrades, Camillus, Case, and other US brands with stacked leather handles that have rotted from misuse or neglect, and build new handles. I make new sheaths for them and have around sixty or more of them. At gun shows I will purchase a handmade knife from craftsmen/women. I also have several Randalls. Its just a hobby.

[johncatl]

I'm a knife guy and have been for many years.

I'm kind of eclectic in what I get.

I have some handmade ones, mostly folders I have a couple from Ralph Dewey Harris, a few benchmades, a Bradley which is a copy of a Chris Reeve, various auto knives including an Infidel and an original Seal and a Paragon,the usual Bucks, a couple of Case. and on and on

I've only missed one Blade Show and that was last year because I absolutely had to be out of town.

Right now, within reach, are over 20 knives

[bk1000]

Wow! I can’t believe the price for that beauty. I may have to order one myself! I really want a Hitori Hanzo katana.

[LegendHasIt]

Here are a couple of quick photos of one of my old makes; Far from my most artistic work, but the only one I decided to keep for myself. Not a collection piece. One I carry regularly for 'serious social work':

Cable Damascus made out of an old hunk of hoist cable found at an old Arizona iron mine. For a 'using' knife' I actually prefer cable damascus to layered damascus. Will take more stress and flex, than the layered and folded sheets of regular pattern welded. Not as pretty or impressive to look at though.

Handle is Desert Ironwood, self collected, not far from the iron mine where I got the cable.

Detail of the pattern, and a little bit of the 'file work' along the spine:

Someone asked upthread about meteorite steel: I always put at least a little bit of meteorite in every piece of damascus I made..... that dark squarish spot to the right is meteorite from the Canyon Diablo fall (self collected too... I guess you could say that other than the brass in the handle pins, the whole knife is 'found materials'.

[SgtHooper]

There is much chatter in the blade world about “Damascus steel”, now coming from Pakistan. So it appears the buyer needs to beware. Jus sayin...

[Daaave]

The collector son said the best blades are coming from Italy

I was given this knife for Christmas. youtube.com

[Salamander]

I have one of those.

It is absolutely gorgeous.

Sexy, even.

:D

I have a thing for daggers and switchblades.

The oddest things I own are hand made knives and swords, created by a now-deceased friend.

He used salvaged spring steel and saw mill blades to forge his blades.

He also knapped flint and I have one made of Mahogany Obsidian.