My favorite fixed blade is a Benchmade Delta Raider - also discontinued, although I don't know why they would stop offering such a great knife.
Including myself, I've wounded far more men with this blade than any others. J.A. Henkels. An edge holding machine.
Well I made this one. My first knife actually. Every part and piece you see, except the screws. Some more I made My first and second Auto during construction. I sadly quit making after I finished these.
This one is gorgeous. What would it take you to get back into crafting knives and making me one of these?
The US has some superb cutlers.... in fact, my opinion hasn't changed since the last few knife threads. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398039 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=353048 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=323300 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181651 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297057 I guess not much has changed since then.... Anyway, I recently got this lovely neck knife in ATS34 and G10 from an Aussie maker called John Foxwell. Fit, finish and comfort are faultless, and I'm embarrassed to post how cheap it was for a custom. And, I've got this on the way from a UK custom maker called Stuart Mitchell... damasteel and mammoth ivory, a leaving present from my old team. I had a few spare quid so I got a matching beater done in RWL34/G10. He makes custom matching knives for Purdey and Holland and Holland.... so he's a bit good then. However, I'm in England, so in my pocket everyday is a little custom Victorinox Lumberjack in Alox by SwissBianco.
Allan, It is the dumbest mistake I have ever made, but i got burnt out and sold all my shop equipment to fund another hobby. Maybe one day I will get back into it. It is probably one of my more creative adventures in life! Thanks for the comments! Chris
I'm being lazy and not taking pics of the actual knives, but I have a few. The internet is chock full o' pics. Nothing custom or super-expensive, just good, utilitarian tools that I like. Daily pocket pal is a Buck Whittaker Metro. Bought it on clearance at WalMart a couple of years ago for $5. CRKT M4-03 assisted opening. Never owned a sharper knife outta the box....this one was a gift from a friend. Another WalMart cheapy. Gerber Profile. Titanium coated 4" blade and rubber grips. After using this cheapy to butcher deer with, I'll never want an expensive hunting knife. Holds an edge like mad, very comfortable grip (even when it's 25* and yer hands are bloody), and easy on the hand. I've had this CaseXX for years. It was my big brother's. And it sucks. Doesn't hold an edge and is uncomfortable to grip. But it is pretty. Best knife I've ever owned is my Gerber Multi-lock tool. I never make a trip without it. Owned the same one since 1998 and it's been all over the lower 48 and Canada. I've never had to sharpen the knife blade. Never.
I collect Case Knives. My two favorites are my Grandfather's worn out genuine stag medium Stockman and the same model I purchased just after he passed away. My everyday work knife is the Victorinox® Mechanic™
Of the culinary breed. <TABLE style="WIDTH: auto"><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 11px; FONT-FAMILY: arial,sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: right"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Chewie, you missed this one too, in Inmates... http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=392202 Now this is a knife:
+1 on Benchmade. I carry one daily. I used to have a Spike in full auto (like the pic above) but got wary in CA. Got an Elischewicz (sp?) and promptly lost it. Replaced them with others. Will try to post a pic in a bit. D