Comfort Knives!

[Ivoryman]

Here you go IMAN , just got done oiling em up and thought be a good time for a group pic for you. The 72 is one nice fitting and looking piece , and the Camillus bone in the short line is some of the best in my book . Thanks for all the nice cutlery you’ve shown !! .
Have a good one .
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Thanks a bunch, that's really a great line up. We see a lot of those around here and that's the best looking group shot I can remember. Great colors. Thanks again.

[toomanyknives]

Some great looking knives there, gentlemen!

[WillyCamaro]

Some mighty fine Iron you boys are showing off today, mighty fine. My favorite tis yer boot dagger JP, lines just perfect on that Schrade...

[Madmarco]

Well guys, I'm posting late today because what started out as a wonderful day did a complete turnaround and became a nightmare! I went to the mailbox this morning expecting to see a package that's on the way from Mark at SSk, but instead there was a package that I wasn't expecting for awhile yet, and 1 single envelope. In the package was the knife I'm posting today, and it comes with quite a story. I had spotted the knife on this forum when it was posted by another member in 2018, and it was one of those knives that "ya just gotta have", so I messaged the owner asking if it might be for sale. He said that he hadn't thought of the knife in awhile and he had no special attachment to it, and that he'd look for the receipt so he could give me an accurate price. Some time passed and I hadn't heard from him, so I messaged him again. About 2 weeks later he sent me a message stating he would sell the knife for $150./shipped, along with some pictures. I agreed to his terms and we set a date to do the transaction. The day before we were to do the deal I messaged him just to be sure everything was on track, but got no reply. Suffice to say the deal fell through and I began a search on ebay for one. I found one almost immediately but the price was out of my league, so I sent the seller an offer which he immediately accepted. This really surprised me and I realized I'd need to do some financial shuffling to pay for it, which I did successfully. I paid for the order and it arrived today, much to my excitement. I opened the package and was enjoying my new knife when I remembered the envelope. I opened it only to find a "Notice of Seizure" from Customs for my package from Mark. They claimed that all 3 knives enclosed had "index flippers"(I don't know what those are either)when in fact 2 knives have thumb-studs, and the 3rd has nothing more than a nail-nic, all 100% legal to import into Canada. I can appeal their decision, which I will, although, I don't have a lot of confidence in government officials that can't even distinguish a thumb-stud from a flipper. That fact may actually be to my benefit because when they're reviewing the claim they will see that the 3rd knife doesn't even have a thumb-stud, so perhaps they will rule in my favor by realizing their agent needs some work on his assessment of knives. I'll let ya know when it's all settled. Now, the knife! It's a genuine prototype of a knife that was commissioned by Blackjack Knives to be built in Seki, Japan but never was. There was paperwork in the package from Jemmy Iwahara from Japanese Knives Direct, the same fella that Mark(SSk)deals with, stating the knife is a proto that never went into production, there were only a few made and were made by hand, and that the knife is very rare. I'm going to contact Jemmy to see if he can tell me anymore about the knife because, the tang stamp on mine and the copy from the deal that fell through is "FLT-1", but, I found another copy on ebay that has a tang stamp of the official Blackjack logo, and an asking price of US$1498., so I'd like to know why the 2 are different and who exactly built them. So, what was shaping up to be a stellar day ended up being just an O.K. day. The trails and tribulations of a Canadian knife enthusiast! Here are the specs! It's an 8 3/8" oal linerlock/SS dagger blade with stud, NS bolsters, brass liners, and black ringed micarta covers. Just a gorgeous knife that I'm very pleased to own! If you click-on a picture once it will open in an expanded window, and if you click-on it again it will magnify so you can read the paperwork and see the tang stamp!
WIN_20210215_13_24_56_Pro.jpgWIN_20210215_13_25_19_Pro.jpgWIN_20210215_13_25_45_Pro.jpgWIN_20210215_19_31_18_Pro.jpg

It was too late to edit my OP guys, but I got a bit more info on my B/J proto! Jemmy said that he couldn't explain the different tang stamps but they usually didn't stamp their protos although he really can't recall from over 30 years ago, the knives were built by Mr. Noda whom I'm assuming is/was a renowned Japanese maker, and value is what current collectors would value it at. So, not a lot more to go on, but suffice to say the knife is staying with me under any and all circumstances!

[Madmarco]

Well guys, I dug out this big ole' Japanese tanto folder as my comfort knife for today! This one is totally unmarked, although, I was told by the fella I bought it from that he bought it in England over 30 years ago and he believed it was built in Japan. It's an 11 3/4" oal lockback/SS tanto blade with the nail-nick positioned directly adjacent to the finger choil on the handle, NS ornately engraved with a dragon bolsters, brass pins, no liners, and jet-black ABS covers with deep grooves for gripping. Fairly heavy at about 8 oz.'s, and the blade came oiled and sharp. This was 1 of the 1st knives I purchased about 2 years ago, and it's the one that got me started on wanting to acquire as many different knives from around the world as I could find, and afford. It's definitely a showpiece knife, although, if so desired it would make an excellent user since it's so solid, albeit a bit big for the pocket!

[Papa Bones]

Here you go IMAN , just got done oiling em up and thought be a good time for a group pic for you. The 72 is one nice fitting and looking piece , and the Camillus bone in the short line is some of the best in my book . Thanks for all the nice cutlery you’ve shown !! .
Have a good one .

Simply awesome J.P.

[Papa Bones]

Well guys, I dug out this big ole' Japanese tanto folder as my comfort knife for today! This one is totally unmarked, although, I was told by the fella I bought it from that he bought it in England over 30 years ago and he believed it was built in Japan. It's an 11 3/4" oal lockback/SS tanto blade with the nail-nick positioned directly adjacent to the finger choil on the handle, NS ornately engraved with a dragon bolsters, brass pins, no liners, and jet-black ABS covers with deep grooves for gripping. Fairly heavy at about 8 oz.'s, and the blade came oiled and sharp. This was 1 of the 1st knives I purchased about 2 years ago, and it's the one that got me started on wanting to acquire as many different knives from around the world as I could find, and afford. It's definitely a showpiece knife, although, if so desired it would make an excellent user since it's so solid, albeit a bit big for the pocket! WIN_20210218_14_41_15_Pro.jpg

That is a Hoss of a knife. Very ornate bolsters, and I like how they molded the traditional hilt braids in the handles. I've always liked the tanto design.

[Madmarco]

Thanks Smitty! I really like the tanto blades too, and, you've taught me the proper name for what I was calling grooves, "hilt braids", thank you for that!

[Ripster]

Thanks Smitty! I really like the tanto blades too, and, you've taught me the proper name for what I was calling grooves, "hilt braids", thank you for that!

That’s a lot of knive! And that Tanto blade is blinking cool ,like it
Lot of neat stuff been shown here, been interesting.
Thanks all for the comments on pics, been fun .
Stay in the Comfort Zone Mark ,thanks for a neat thread .

[Madmarco]

Thanks Smitty! I really like the tanto blades too, and, you've taught me the proper name for what I was calling grooves, "hilt braids", thank you for that!

That’s a lot of knive! And that Tanto blade is blinking cool ,like it
Lot of neat stuff been shown here, been interesting.
Thanks all for the comments on pics, been fun .
Stay in the Comfort Zone Mark ,thanks for a neat thread .

Thanks J.P.! Yes, that tanto surely is a big one! And thank you for your posts, I've enjoyed them equally too! Don't be a stranger, I have all my fixed blades to post yet! And I'm ALWAYS in the Comfort Zone J.P., I tried uncomfortable and didn't like it much!

[WillyCamaro]

Thanks Smitty! I really like the tanto blades too, and, you've taught me the proper name for what I was calling grooves, "hilt braids", thank you for that!

That’s a lot of knive! And that Tanto blade is blinking cool ,like it
Lot of neat stuff been shown here, been interesting.
Thanks all for the comments on pics, been fun .
Stay in the Comfort Zone Mark ,thanks for a neat thread .

Thanks J.P.! Yes, that tanto surely is a big one! And thank you for your posts, I've enjoyed them equally too! Don't be a stranger, I have all my fixed blades to post yet! And I'm ALWAYS in the Comfort Zone J.P., I tried uncomfortable and didn't like it much!

Hear, hear mates!
I like me the looks of that 'un, mad mad Marko'.
Now thinking of it, I'm going ta go and pull out my Taylor brand tanto, for tomorrow's comfort knife. I do love me some curvy blades.

[Madmarco]

Thanks Willy! Is the Taylor tanto you're referring to your fixed blade? Either way, please post some pics of it!

[Madmarco]

I have another big ole' beast of a knife for ya today fellas! This is a Curel made in Portugal 12 3/4" oal from tip to end of bail fulcrum-release folder/SS drop-point blade with n/n, brass bolsters bail and pins, SS liners and lever, and Elk horn covers. Weighs a robust 7 oz.'s, and arrived incredibly sharp. It's marked with an Elk's head and footprints etch on the front blade, as well as "Curel/Inox/Portugal" as the front tang stamp. Opens with slip-joint action, and closes by lifting the lever and folding closed. In the photos on the site the finger choils on the handle were parallel to each other, but when mine arrived they are staggered, which I was a little upset about, until I held it and realized that the way they are is actually far better for a proper grip. I've always really liked big knives, and this one touches all the bases for me! I've mentioned this previously but, if you click-on the pic it will expand and you can see the details much better!

[WillyCamaro]

Thanks Willy! Is the Taylor tanto you're referring to your fixed blade? Either way, please post some pics of it!

Thank you Mark!
It's my pleasure to show 'er off, she's a comfy looker.

Yesir mate, designed by Taylor, made by Seto from Seki Japan.
Tapered tang, concave ground, top counter grind; = one of the best production fixed blades I've handled.
Give it the the Japanese, they have an eye for lines 'n design on knives.

[Quick Steel]

Willy, I need some education. Will you kindly explain "top counter grind." It appears that the spine of the knife becomes very thin in the center, remaining thicker at each end. Is that right?

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Nice Willy, really nice tanto fixed blade.

[WillyCamaro]

Willy, I need some education. Will you kindly explain "top counter grind." It appears that the spine of the knife becomes very thin in the center, remaining thicker at each end. Is that right?

Hey Gary!
Yesir mate, what you see there, has been ground out by hand. It's called counter grinding, removing material from the spine, opposite the cutting edge. That term I learned from studying knife making, not just something I cooked up.

[WillyCamaro]

Nice Willy, really nice tanto fixed blade.

Thank you Mark.

[Quick Steel]

Thanks Willy. Never thought the term was something you made up. Now one last question. What is the purpose of such a grind? Thanks in advance.

[WillyCamaro]

Thanks Willy. Never thought the term was something you made up. Now one last question. What is the purpose of such a grind? Thanks in advance.

No problem mate, I was just joking...

Sure, it tis done for styling, cut down on overall weight, and to help balance out the knife.
Why more companies don't do it, is due to the fact you need a skilled knife maker, who is proficient with a grinder, to hand shape it. Or you would need a special swing-jig to grind it. Either way, it's another extra step in the knife making process, more finicky then, let's say, top edge grind. And because it's a Tanto, you wouldn't want a full top grind, IMHO.

[Quick Steel]

Thanks Willy. Makes sense. Its always nice to learn something. By the way I think it is a very fine looking tanto.

[WillyCamaro]

Thanks Willy. Makes sense. Its always nice to learn something. By the way I think it is a very fine looking tanto.

[Madmarco]

That is one gorgeous tanto Willy, thanks for posting it again! I like it more every time I see it!

[WillyCamaro]

That is one gorgeous tanto Willy, thanks for posting it again! I like it more every time I see it!

Thank you Mark, them Japanese do know how to make a sweet knife, that's for sure.

[Madmarco]

I'm have another big knife to post today, and it's this Ridge Runner 11 3/4" oal lockback skinner! This knife comes with a SS clip-point blade with n/n, SS satin-finished bolsters, SS liners, brass pins, brass lanyard tube, and nicely grained Rosewood covers. Weighs-in at about 5 oz.'s, and very sharp. Has a Ridge Runner tang stamp and was made in China, but for a $17. knife it's extremely well-built and solid.