The Quintessential Bob Loveless Knife

The Drop Point Hunter has to be the quintessential Bob Loveless knife; most copied pattern there is and the most comfortable in the hand.  I have had many Drop Point Hunters but always looking to find a better example to upgrade the collection.  I guess there could be a reasonable debate as to the green Micarta vs. stag as the perfect representation of the DP but it is hard to argue against the beauty of stag.  I have had a very nice example of a natural stag DP but recently acquired an amber stag piece.  I think I may have to keep both.

Mike Quesenberry Master Smith Knife #1

I first met Mike Quesenberry at an ABS (American Bladesmith Society) show in San Antonio and really liked his work.  Tim Hancock ABS MS and friend said that Mike was a maker to watch, so I did.  After getting my first piece from Mike when he was a Journeyman Smith, a fighter, I asked if anyone had asked for his first MS knife.  No one had, so I asked then and there and Mike agreed.  I have worked with many knifemakers and it is often my habit to challenge them to do something new/different.  Most welcome the challenge as did Mike.  We decided on a push dagger and one with pique work to up the difficulty factor.  Mike has less hair now.  Here is the result.

Cechinni/Terzuola CT3

Gus Cecchini (GTC Custom Knives) and Bob Terzuola are two of the industries "hottest" knife makers.  They have collaborated on several projects, the latest dubbed CT3, which was the creation of 6 knives right after the TKI (Tactical Knife Invitational) show.  Here is one of the 6 knives.

 A large knife, too heavy for me to carry but right there with the trend for bigger knives,  This knife also has the flipper opening mechanisms that GTC uses for the Airborne flipper, one of the slickest openers out there, here is a link to demonstrate how it works link

Rag Micarta

One of the rarest of materials to find on a knife is true Rag Micarta.  Rag Micarta, a brownish/greenish color, hasn't been made for many years but every once in a while some turns up.  i traded some Westinghouse Ivory Micarta for some Rag Micarta and with the help of a friend got some to Tony Bose to put on a knife.  Here is a brand new Wharncliffe Trapper from Tony Bose with Rag Micarta scales.

Harvey Dean "catfish" engraved by Ray Cover Jr.

This is Harvey Dean's Catfish model, this pattern is more commonly  referred to as an Elephant Toenail but Harvey likes to call it his "Catfish" model, so it is.  This knife features Harvey's ladder pattern Damascus made from 1075 and 15N20 steels and it is made as a three-bladed whittler, bolsters are stainless steel and engraved and gold inlayed by Master Engraver Ray Cover Jr.  The mammoth handles are secured with 14-karat gold pins and there is one 14-karat gold escutcheon on the presentation side of the knife with an engraved boarder, the back springs, two of them, are stippled and the third is polished to highlight the whittler pattern.  Harvey is a member of the AKI (Art Knife Invitational) group of makers.

Jody Muller Fire Fight (from the ongoing series)

Here is another masterpiece from the Fire Breathing Dragons "Fire Fight" series that Jody has been creating for me over the past 6 or 7 years, this is the most spectacular creation to date, and the first with Deep Relief carving.  This piece is sole authorship as are all of Jody's knives, he forges his own Damascus for the blade, does all the engraving and builds the knife himself.  This knife features an all stainless handle with full coverage engraving utilizing Gold, Silver and Copper inlays, the Damascus blade is forged from 1095, 15n20 and nickel and has engraving along the base, the engraving circles the back strap so that the Dragons wrap themselves around the knife.  A wonderful and unique work of art.

A very cool old dagger with a Russian flair

A very cool and unusual piece, a one of one by Rob Charlton of Damascus USA fame.  I contacted Rob to inquire about this knife, his reply; "this is a one off I moved at the NYC Show lo' those many years ago.....(I Think) he was a tattooed guy with studs in his face.....don't know what I sold it for (but I wouldn't dupe it for less then 3,500-).....as I recall it was a real project which I started with a piece of Damascus that some outfit in the land of the (former) Red terror sent me pre-1990's ....... They wanted me to promote their Steel or something. I just don't got the memory anymore. Anyway, it's a hell of an art piece & you have a legit heirloom."  This knife features a Damascus blade which is marked DAMASCUS USA and, below it, in Russian интEPмEт Pоссия which I am told translates into International Metal and below that is "one of one".  The Russian is characteristic of the Soviet era so that dates this knife to pre 1991, confirming what rob remembers about it, the guard and pommel have the look of Mokume but I cannot be certain, the overlays have filigree work and semi precious stones, the handle is most likely ebony with silver wire wrap.  The sheath is wood wrapped with leather, the throat and tip of the sheath seem to be of the same composition as the guard and pommel and also decorated with filigree and semi precious stones..........  The blade is marked DAMASCUS USA and, below it, in Russian интEPмEт Pоссия which I am told translates into International Metal and below that is "one of one".  The Russian is characteristic of the Soviet era so that dates this knife to pre 1991. OAL is 16 3/4'.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.