<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:<hr height=1 noshade>Hmm...I wonder if we could have a damascus lock lever as well (with David Boye style cut-out). <hr height=1 noshade></BLOCKQUOTE></font><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2>
Carlos, you've got to stop this <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. I'm not a young man anymore and all this excitement might prove too much for me <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. It just keeps sounding better and better.
Sal, please put us out of our misery. Is this likely to be a goer or not?
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
Just another idea
Cost will be a signifiant factor. Making anything is possible. Selling $900 production knives is hard to do.
Put a damascus blade in a FRN handle and you've jumped the price by $100 - $200 already, depending on the type of damascus.
Evrina is no longer being produced (you have a very rare piece, Clay) and Linda's beautiful scrim adds another $200.
That's why I'm asking for your opinions. My apologies for forcing you to think about cost (a real drag for me), but when reality does rear it's ugly head, we mortals yield.
sal
Put a damascus blade in a FRN handle and you've jumped the price by $100 - $200 already, depending on the type of damascus.
Evrina is no longer being produced (you have a very rare piece, Clay) and Linda's beautiful scrim adds another $200.
That's why I'm asking for your opinions. My apologies for forcing you to think about cost (a real drag for me), but when reality does rear it's ugly head, we mortals yield.
sal
Hi Sal,
I guess part of the problem is that if you put a damascus blade into an FRN handle (Delica) would result in a $150 to $250 knife that likely no one would want. At the very least it needs Micarta and that must add at least another $50.
Could you work up some MSRP numbers for different possibilities?
1. Damascus blade & Ivory Micarta scales
2. Damascus blade, clip; & Ivory Micarta scales
3. Damascus blade, clip, lock lever, back spacer; & Ivory Micarta scales
What do you think is a reasonable MSRP limit? #3 would be the finest, but obviously the most expensive -- but by how much?
Edited by - Carlos on 5/11/2001 6:33:15 PM
I guess part of the problem is that if you put a damascus blade into an FRN handle (Delica) would result in a $150 to $250 knife that likely no one would want. At the very least it needs Micarta and that must add at least another $50.
Could you work up some MSRP numbers for different possibilities?
1. Damascus blade & Ivory Micarta scales
2. Damascus blade, clip; & Ivory Micarta scales
3. Damascus blade, clip, lock lever, back spacer; & Ivory Micarta scales
What do you think is a reasonable MSRP limit? #3 would be the finest, but obviously the most expensive -- but by how much?
Edited by - Carlos on 5/11/2001 6:33:15 PM
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Clay Kesting
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:<hr height=1 noshade>you have a very rare piece, Clay <hr height=1 noshade></BLOCKQUOTE></font><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2>
Sal, don't I know it. It is the centrepiece of my collection and I'm never likely to forget how I came by it <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. I didn't mean to suggest that the Anniversary piece should be scrimshawed, I was just thinking that if it was ivory micarta, I might get it scrimmed myself.
If it is necessary to stay with the FRN handle to keep the cost down, would it be possible to change the colour to make it more distinctive. Perhaps burgundy or even the blue already being used on the Delica? However I would much prefer micarta scales and would certainly be prepared to pay extra to get them.
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia It's tomorrow already.
Edited by - Clay Kesting on 5/11/2001 8:14:20 PM
Sal, don't I know it. It is the centrepiece of my collection and I'm never likely to forget how I came by it <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. I didn't mean to suggest that the Anniversary piece should be scrimshawed, I was just thinking that if it was ivory micarta, I might get it scrimmed myself.
If it is necessary to stay with the FRN handle to keep the cost down, would it be possible to change the colour to make it more distinctive. Perhaps burgundy or even the blue already being used on the Delica? However I would much prefer micarta scales and would certainly be prepared to pay extra to get them.
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia It's tomorrow already.
Edited by - Clay Kesting on 5/11/2001 8:14:20 PM
I think the painful ($$$) truth is that a quality damascus folder is an expensive thing and there is no way around it. IMO a 25th Anniversary piece should be very special. I agree with Clay that I'd be willing to spend more for ivory Micarta scales. I could probably live without most of the other damascus bits <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> , but the hilt really should be on the same level (in terms of quality and aesthetics) as the pricey pattern-welded blade. Enough philosophy for now. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
The damascus is the pricey part. I'm chasing damascus prices now. Damasteel is considerably less expensive and looks very much the same. That might be a way to go.
I personally do not want to use FRN, neither does Jeff (Our GM). He suggested using a boltser and some type of oddball handle, stag, ivory micarta or?
sal
I personally do not want to use FRN, neither does Jeff (Our GM). He suggested using a boltser and some type of oddball handle, stag, ivory micarta or?
sal
Hi Sal,
I was going to suggest bolsters of sterling silver, but held back due to Clay's admonitions on keeping the price down. I am also unsure of how good bolsters would look with the Delica's handle shape.
If you opt to use a bolster (of whatever material), I still vote for ivory Micarta scales, and damascus or damasteel bits (if possible for clip, lock lever, and spacer).
I was going to suggest bolsters of sterling silver, but held back due to Clay's admonitions on keeping the price down. I am also unsure of how good bolsters would look with the Delica's handle shape.
If you opt to use a bolster (of whatever material), I still vote for ivory Micarta scales, and damascus or damasteel bits (if possible for clip, lock lever, and spacer).
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Clay Kesting
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Now you're doing it too Sal, this is way too much excitement for someone of my age <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. I would love Spydie with bolsters, nice long ones, Barlow style (showing my age again <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>). Carlos what about nickel silver rather than sterling silver, much less expensive. Stag or jigged bone scales would be nice but could further add to the cost, I'd be just as happy with ivory micarta. As far as cost, I want one of these even if I have to sell most of my other knives and one (two?) of the kids <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>.
Sal, please keep us posted, I'm really interested in this project.
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
Edited by - Clay Kesting on 5/12/2001 8:06:44 PM
Sal, please keep us posted, I'm really interested in this project.
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
Edited by - Clay Kesting on 5/12/2001 8:06:44 PM
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vampyrewolf
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Brian_Turner
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Sal -
Damasteel would be a wonderful choice. Glad to hear that FRN is less than popular <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> .
A Spyder with bolsters?!? Man, that's why you're the knife designer guy. An excellent left turn to distinguish a special knife.
I still like the idea of ivory micarta and a damascus clip. Never seen a Damasteel clip! I know it would add to the cost, but if the blade, bolster, and clip are all matching damascus, you've got one spectacular effect that is rarely found outside of the custom arena.
I'd use the size of the knife to keep price down rather than adjusting with materials. Go full-on for the design, then select a smaller model to reduce the amount of materials.
Damasteel would be a wonderful choice. Glad to hear that FRN is less than popular <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> .
A Spyder with bolsters?!? Man, that's why you're the knife designer guy. An excellent left turn to distinguish a special knife.
I still like the idea of ivory micarta and a damascus clip. Never seen a Damasteel clip! I know it would add to the cost, but if the blade, bolster, and clip are all matching damascus, you've got one spectacular effect that is rarely found outside of the custom arena.
I'd use the size of the knife to keep price down rather than adjusting with materials. Go full-on for the design, then select a smaller model to reduce the amount of materials.
Hi Brian,
I can't agree on the size issue -- most damascus folders are made puny to keep costs down. It is like putting carbon fiber scales on a Cricket -- it is nice but it doesn't compare to the grandeur of a carbon fiber Civilian; I think you lose much of the impact of the fancy materials if the form is too small. In the case of this 25th Anniversary piece, I would say nothing smaller than a Delica, and I would still prefer an Endura. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Damascus bolsters? I have looked at a number of custom folders with damascus bolsters and it seems to me to be "too much," and overly ornate. I think they reduce somewhat the impact of the damascus blade by their size and their proximity to the blade. A silver bolster would at least blend somewhat with the ivory micarta and not de-emphasize the blade.
I think I would prefer no bolster at all, but with damascus used for the clip, lock lever, and spacer. I think this would tie the whole knife together, and give the damascus a continuity from blade tip to handle butt, yet without detracting the primary emphasis from the damascus blade. I wouldn't object to silver bolsters if bolsters are deemed necessary.
I can't agree on the size issue -- most damascus folders are made puny to keep costs down. It is like putting carbon fiber scales on a Cricket -- it is nice but it doesn't compare to the grandeur of a carbon fiber Civilian; I think you lose much of the impact of the fancy materials if the form is too small. In the case of this 25th Anniversary piece, I would say nothing smaller than a Delica, and I would still prefer an Endura. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Damascus bolsters? I have looked at a number of custom folders with damascus bolsters and it seems to me to be "too much," and overly ornate. I think they reduce somewhat the impact of the damascus blade by their size and their proximity to the blade. A silver bolster would at least blend somewhat with the ivory micarta and not de-emphasize the blade.
I think I would prefer no bolster at all, but with damascus used for the clip, lock lever, and spacer. I think this would tie the whole knife together, and give the damascus a continuity from blade tip to handle butt, yet without detracting the primary emphasis from the damascus blade. I wouldn't object to silver bolsters if bolsters are deemed necessary.
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ramlanrafie
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Clay Kesting
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I'm all for using damasteel if it will help keep the cost down. Likewise I have mixed feelings about bolsters, I really like the look of them but I'm afraid they may make the knife too expensive by making the manufacturing process too complex. Without bolsters, the knife could be linerless like the micarta Calypso Jr. etc, but bolsters would necessitate the use of brass or stainless steel liners. Perhaps Carlos is right, no bolsters but damasteel clip and locking bar would give the best appearance for a reasonable price. I think the Delica would be the ideal size.
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.