Why are knives so expensive??

[hso]

I just sold the Larry Harley Damascus Double D Guard Bowie with Mastodon Ivory scales for $3k. The buyer was happy as a clam and even happier when Larry drove down from Bristol with the Knives 2007 book with the bowie on the cover and signed it.

Larry forged the damascus, forged the blade and guard and beehive nut to fit it all together. Hand carved all the file work. And them attached humongous Mastodon ivory scales to it.

 

[Mandirigma]

I am still awaiting his critque.

Still waiting on it. UPS guy has a light knock that I don't always hear when I'm sleeping. Heck, sometimes I don't hear my phone thats right next to my head. (sorry I missed your call)

But its also Easter Weekend so I expect some delays.

What I can say is that The Tourist has been nothing but a pleasure to work with, very easy to talk to, and communicates well.

Please don't take this the wrong way, Tourist, but its kind of reassuring how much effort you've put into assuring my happiness with the sharpening. People that worry about what their clients think make me happy happy. Pride in your skills is a motivator for me.

And for those asking, I sent him a Beta-Ti Karambit. The Kbit design I have a hard time sharpening as it is. Let alone in Titanium. I never expected it to be this much trouble.

The Tourist actually apologized for not putting a mirrored edge on it. IFAIK to put a mirror finish on Titanium you must use HF acid in a difficult and dangerous process called attack polishing. (I didn't learn this until I talked to a friend after I mentioned sending the knife out for a professional sharpening.)There is no way he could possibly be set up to do this, nor would I ask him to.

Already know I'm going to send my other EDC to him (this time tanto style blade and its steel) I just didn't want to be without both my knives at one time.

Valkman, yes, I know what you mean! I thought I was doing good with my regular stones and sharpmaker, now I'm thinking about getting some more dedicated sharpening tools! EdgePro Sharpening system, waterstones...

 

[The Tourist]

I may have posted some of these before. I wish a mirrored edge photographed better.

I believe such an edge really is needed on Japanese laminate kitchen knives, and that's where most of the work goes. However, I do my personal knives that way for clients to sample, and of course, for my greedy friends.

It takes several grit levels of waterstones, buffing papers (sometimes a film knicknamed 'eel skin'), paste and a thick glass called "glaziers glass." No matter what system you use, most of this stuff is available from Keith at Hand American.

http://www.handamerican.com/

And trust me, the knives are razor sharp. We refer to them as "toasty."