I am a part time knife maker. I am not trying to sell anything here just curious as to how many of you peeps use handmade knives for hunting.
Thanks
Jeff
Maddog McCray’s Knives
I’ve made about 150 knives myself and I make them to be used. Customers generally start out wanting to use them but when they get the knife, they say they are just going to display it cause it looks too nice to use.
I tell them to use it and when the shine on the horn or antler wears off, to bring it to me and I’ll re-polish it and sharpen it at the same time.
I have had customers so exacting on the handle length that one wanted the top of the hanlde to be 1/16 on an inch longer than the bottom. This can’t always be done on natural material since it doesnt always want to be symetric.
I’d just make them to be used but also make some plain, with less expensive handle material for users. Usually when they find out what material costs for nice India Stag or expensive metal, that makes them display it and not use it. But, it’s theirs to do what they want with it.
( I found that after accidentally cutting myself 5 times over a dozens years that the stiches and Emergency room rate take away all profit for the year. Then I got cut proof gloves) Only make Knives now on request since I never made any money doing it and it is just a hobby.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:21 pm
I do, but i’m also a part time knife maker and use my own.
Bulldog the Blacksmith
References :
March 1st, 2010 at 3:38 pm
I do! Made mine in high school back in the 50’s.
I used a hack saw blade for the blade with the saw teeth part of the blade as the sharp edge of the knife blade. And melted aluminum pistons for the handle. I’ve only touched up the keen edge of the blade 4 times that I can recall.
It’s really sharp as I can almost shave with it.
Works wonders when gutting deer, just touch the hide and it slices it wide open and a chop on the pelvic bone opens that up too!
References :
March 1st, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I use one and am quite fond of it. I am considering buyng another from Bill Hunt. Bill makes knives here in Indiana and they are real works of art.
References :
March 1st, 2010 at 5:00 pm
I’ve made about 150 knives myself and I make them to be used. Customers generally start out wanting to use them but when they get the knife, they say they are just going to display it cause it looks too nice to use.
I tell them to use it and when the shine on the horn or antler wears off, to bring it to me and I’ll re-polish it and sharpen it at the same time.
I have had customers so exacting on the handle length that one wanted the top of the hanlde to be 1/16 on an inch longer than the bottom. This can’t always be done on natural material since it doesnt always want to be symetric.
I’d just make them to be used but also make some plain, with less expensive handle material for users. Usually when they find out what material costs for nice India Stag or expensive metal, that makes them display it and not use it. But, it’s theirs to do what they want with it.
( I found that after accidentally cutting myself 5 times over a dozens years that the stiches and Emergency room rate take away all profit for the year. Then I got cut proof gloves) Only make knives now on request since I never made any money doing it and it is just a hobby.
References :
March 1st, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Indeed, and what can only be the best part is knowing the handle is part of an antler from a buck you shot youself.
References :
March 1st, 2010 at 5:59 pm
I use a William Henry, they are handmade, but not homemade.
References :