Elrikk
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Post by Elrikk on Nov 7, 2017 22:43:58 GMT
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 8, 2017 0:44:40 GMT
That's a pretty knife, all right. I feel like I've seen one or more (perhaps a few) very similar to it, though. $250 is kinda steep for a knife, but not that unreasonable. I just wish I knew what it was reminding me of...
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Elrikk
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Post by Elrikk on Nov 8, 2017 2:56:47 GMT
It is pretty....
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Nov 8, 2017 3:13:50 GMT
Very handsome. I've also seen this type of design before. I can't name it(I mean, yeah, it's a Bowie, but I don't know what sub-style). CAS Sobral has put some out. The only issue I have is that it appears to be DH, but the hamon falls short of the heel of the blade. Don't know if that'll affect it, but I'd like it to go a little further, past the heel. I do like it a lot, though.
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Post by kalkikrosah on Nov 8, 2017 22:25:21 GMT
Looks quite nice. Definitely a Bowie knife with a fantasy flare to it, but nothing about it is impractical. T10 is a tool steel which is very hard. That should help with sharpness for sure and it is said that T10 is more durable than carbon steels with similar carbon content. Should be real good at slicing and cutting for sure. Chopping wood may be outside of its intended use, so I recommend starting off small if you intend to use it for this purpose.
The Ebony wood handle is beautiful, I love how well they bring out the grain on the finish. The contours on the handle should help you grip it better but that little flare at the back end of the knife may dig into your wrist and could prove bothersome with extended use. I do not see a peen on the bottom or a bolster cap so I can tell you it is definitely not peened. It might be an integrated handle, it could be pinned but I would imagine it is a rat tail tang. I prefer peened blades as they have better structural integrity but rat tails, when done properly, can be just as good. The fit and finish on the blade seems well done so I would assume that the rat tail is done properly and isn't a cheap weld job that is likely to fail.
The blackened guard gives it character and helps with wear resistance. The blade itself should also be more resilient than traditional carbon steel tool and won't need as much cleaning and maintenance. The scabbard/wooden holster is the only thing I would knock. The ebony wood is great but I am not a fan of the string ties around it and the lack of a belt loop means you would have to hold it as it is too long to carry in your pocket. Maybe you can make a custom sheath or order one for it but it won't be portable.
If you want a back yard cutter, a light chopper or you want to carve up the Thanksgiving turkey with style it would be a good purchase. It would also look nice as a display piece in your armory. I would not recommend it as a bush craft knife or everyday carry. Its size and lack of a portable sheath restrict it in these regards.
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 8, 2017 23:42:46 GMT
I don't like using the term "rat tail" to describe knives, unless it's the common welded-on number seen on decorative pieces.
Many knives, such as the famous kukris, have a stick tang which is essentially glued into the handle. Sometimes natural resin, sometimes it's burned in. This is not a weakness by default; as I've mentioned, kukris are built like this, and we all know how tough they are.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Nov 9, 2017 0:49:31 GMT
I don't like using the term "rat tail" to describe knives, unless it's the common welded-on number seen on decorative pieces. Many knives, such as the famous kukris, have a stick tang which is essentially glued into the handle. Sometimes natural resin, sometimes it's burned in. This is not a weakness by default; as I've mentioned, kukris are built like this, and we all know how tough they are. I’ve always called the tang on kukris and similar knives, unless proven otherwise with a visible tang and rivets, rat tail because this is what I’ve heard them called. I like your point in distinguishing a kukri type glued in tang from a cheap welded on tang by calling it a stick tang.
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 9, 2017 9:53:41 GMT
I've seen a few places call for the distinction, and I agree, there needs to be a different word.
An invisible tang may or may not be skinny, but when anybody hears "rat tail" they immediately jump to the cheap knockoff stuff and convince themselves the piece in question must certainly be non-functional.
Nah, it's just got the ol' hidden tang thing going on. It's fine.
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Post by kalkikrosah on Nov 9, 2017 14:12:20 GMT
I am with pgandy on the rat tail debate. I have heard that terminology used the most so that is the terminology I decided to use. Partial tang, hidden tang and stick tang are all interchangeable with rat tail tang. I am aware that "rat tail" has a negative connotation associated with it but at the time that is the term that popped into my mind.
I did state in the original post that it looks like the tang wasn't a cheap spot weld rush job that will be prone to fail. It looks very similar to the type of tang Tora Blades would use. The pictures don't give me a real good look at where the handle meets the guard so I cannot say for certain if it was burned in, epoxied or wedged and screwed together.
But for clarity's sake how would you differentiate between a rat tail and all the other tang terms I mentioned?
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christain
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Post by christain on Nov 9, 2017 14:32:58 GMT
I've come to use the 'rat-tail' term for any tang I can't see. Especially if I can't see a peened end. Heck, every sword I own is a rat-tail...but I know what's under the grip of every one of them from much research looking at reviews and photos. Especially here in the 'sword construction' forum. My personal opinion of this knife---I think you'd be better off with a Cold Steel 1917 Bowie. I used to have one, until a friend bugged me for it until I broke and sold it to him. It's a fantastic knife...and you'll save a little $$$. .....Chris
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 9, 2017 16:23:14 GMT
I am with pgandy on the rat tail debate. I have heard that terminology used the most so that is the terminology I decided to use. Partial tang, hidden tang and stick tang are all interchangeable with rat tail tang. I am aware that "rat tail" has a negative connotation associated with it but at the time that is the term that popped into my mind. I did state in the original post that it looks like the tang wasn't a cheap spot weld rush job that will be prone to fail. It looks very similar to the type of tang Tora Blades would use. The pictures don't give me a real good look at where the handle meets the guard so I cannot say for certain if it was burned in, epoxied or wedged and screwed together. But for clarity's sake how would you differentiate between a rat tail and all the other tang terms I mentioned? Oh, I agree the terms are largely interchangeable. I just prefer to use "hidden tang" when it's completely covered by the handle (as opposed to the sandwich construction most would know as "full tang") until I see any suggestion of how wide it really is. Over 1/4" it's a plenty substantial tang, under that it moves to stick or yes, rat tail. Then again, I've also taken to calling the "tang" on the cheap replicas a welded rod. Anything one-piece is usually good, anything two piece depends on the weld, but can generally be assumed as a weak point.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2017 1:58:47 GMT
Hidden tangs are a fact of life. I doubt anyone would refuse a Randall if offered. For that matter 100s of other bowie manufacturers. Are there concerns? Sure there are. Especially so when pushed beyond reasonable limits.
I see the listed knife as a fighter.
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Post by Richard Arias on Nov 10, 2017 3:02:49 GMT
Well will you even use it? Do you backpack? Hike trail? If your not going to use the expense is Pointless. If you have the money to spare for a knife make a custom for a specific task or personal preference. That is not an EDC knife and your not a southern greycoat in the civil war. The days of mountain men and frontier living have past. I carried big knives a lot on California where gun carry was hard to come by. But in Arizona it's a gun and a folder.
At that price there are more proven knives and models. But if you just like collecting you could do worse.
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Elrikk
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Post by Elrikk on Nov 10, 2017 3:37:56 GMT
I live in a cave....so....
No really, I just collect.
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