All About Pocket Knives

Jimmy Ray Sabo, the man behind "Jimmyz Pocket Jewelry" in Texas creates fanciful original designs and then transposes them onto knife handles using fine inlays of semi-precious stones and pearl.

I recently acquired my first Schrade knife customized by him after admiring his work for many years. My knife has a Viking theme and he produces knives with all sorts of whimsical themes. Texas is a long way from my Northern Ontario home but enjoying a good chuckle is universal. Quality craftsmanship speaks for itself. (except today )

I believe you need to see these intricate pieces as fun, creative examples of jewelry made by a highly skilled craftsman. They probably aren't the best choice for digging the latest road-kill rabbit out of your truck's tire treads. I'd likely use my trusty delrin Schrade 8OT for that.

I think these knives make spectacular display pieces that can "wow" non-knife folks as much as knife collectors. I thought I'd start this thread by posting pics of my knife and some others I harvested online that belong to others.

Hopefully people will add more interesting Jimmy Sabo creations to this thread as time goes by.

My knife:
Knives belonging to other people:

More examples:

Anyone know if this knife was made by him? Looks similar to the Case knife w/ the balloons. This one was done on a United Cutlery Seki Japan.

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: ↑Fri Aug 07, 2020 1:38 am Anyone know if this knife was made by him? Looks similar to the Case knife w/ the balloons. This one was done on a United Cutlery Seki Japan.

Ding! Ding! We already have a new addition. Thanks for posting!

I can't say for sure but that really does look like his work. I don't think there are very many doing this sort of work. Jimmy works on all different brands of knives including custom-built knives and his own Jimmy Sabo marked Damascus knives.

Here's 10 more to help you compare:

These are amazing!

edge213 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 07, 2020 2:19 am These are amazing!

I figured I wasn't the only one who would admire these knives. I'm glad you enjoy seeing them as much as I do!

...and 10 more:

Ace's & eight's on the last one....
The Dead Man's Hand...
what Wild Bill was holding when shot in Deadwood, 1876

I have about twenty of his great knives and they are beautiful, Adog

A few more

Here are three small Toothpicks that I use as EDC but only put in my watch pocket for special occasions. Adog

My favorite, I don't know how he can cut the stones and MOP so small and precise, these are 3"" Case Toothpicks,

bladecollectorr wrote: ↑Fri Aug 07, 2020 2:28 am

edge213 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 07, 2020 2:19 am These are amazing!

I figured I wasn't the only one who would admire these knives. I'm glad you enjoy seeing them as much as I do!

...and 10 more:
schrade - 13OT.jpgvintage-winchester-knife-ladies-leg_1_7ff3db3e3e290394df2a962acbc9cbcc_resize.jpgincredible-jimmy-sabo-customized-ka_1_8691fef16320730f1b80490f9d0a7d88_resize.jpgjimmy-sabo-buck-usa-140-custom-mother_1_f763335355376519ee55af8c333e7f19_resize.jpgjimmy-sabo-buck-usa-custom-blue-lapis_1_0fb18b6032fd0ed01d0807626c3bdcd4_resize.jpgjimmy-sabo-case-xx-usa-wolf-head_1_a705d90393c385f8a2ada59a84fc299a_resize.jpgjimmy-sabo-custom-hand-made-halloween_1_f62d198552b6e3e940cfd62bf90ed267_resize.jpgjimmy-sabo-inlaid-red-eagle-custom_1_ef92eb3f5217ae1d8cbe64976cd504df_resize.jpgkissing-crane-pearl-red-ruby-opal_1_e98696d20dada061b700b63e7ebe6274_resize.jpgrussell 4.jpg

That French Kate knife w/ the fish is really beautiful. That would look good on any knife.

stagman wrote: ↑Fri Aug 07, 2020 5:05 am Ace's & eight's on the last one....
The Dead Man's Hand...
what Wild Bill was holding when shot in Deadwood, 1876

I recently re-watched season 1 & 2 of tv show "Deadwood" as lead-up to watching much newer season 3. They weave that "true-story" into the the fictional plot. Sucks to be Bill that particular day. Killed by a coward.

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: ↑Thu Aug 20, 2020 12:48 am That French Kate knife w/ the fish is really beautiful. That would look good on any knife.

I agree!

Adog wrote: ↑Thu Aug 20, 2020 12:43 am My favorite, I don't know how he can cut the stones and MOP so small and precise, these are 3"" Case Toothpicks,

Thanks for adding all your examples to this thread! That Kokopelli toothpick looks great. My understanding is that Jimmy's inlay style is Zuni.

I found this "how-to" regarding pearl inlays. It shows how much effort is involved to create just 7 pieces of pearl. Sabo's knives have a lot more pieces than that.
https://blademag.com/knifemaking/knifem ... arl-inlays

I cleaned and polished my Viking motif Schrade 7OT. Here are some fresh pics.

I've had this Case Russlock for a few years; don't know if it's a Sabo mod but it looks like his style.

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 3:03 pm I've had this Case Russlock for a few years; don't know if it's a Sabo mod but it looks like his style.

Nice one! It does indeed look like one of Jimmy's creations. You could ask him if you want to confirm that. He's a friendly guy. I'm sure he would reply.

Here’s my collection of sabo‘s. He makes some amazing knives. I’ll try to find a zippo lighter if anyone he has one celestial pattern.