Matter of opinion, using a custom knife

[LIWolverine]

Like Shraggs was saying, that knife will hold its value for pretty much ever, and with careful use, actually should increase in value over time, as there simply aren't many of them being made anymore if at all. Mr. Winkler stopped taking handforged orders back in roughly 2007, as his wait time exceeded about 7 years at the time. He made several of the knives and tomahawks for the film Last of the Mohicans, including the iconic Magua tomahawk. His partner/wife Karen makes the sheaths herself, and they are works of art completely separate from the artistry of the knife. You have a sterling example of an ABS Mastersmith's work on your hands, and I know from personal experience that Mr. Winkler would tell you to use it. You will not meet a nicer human being than Daniel Winkler, and he will take care of you should anything happen.

That is awesome info! Thank you for posting that.

Use it! I have one custom made knife that a college friend of mine made me when his business was in its fledgling stages. He used reclaimed steel from a local saw mill and some cherry wood for the handle from my own property. Its a beautiful knife and at first I hated to use it. Then I realized that a knife is a tool and pulled it out of my safe and began using it. It stays on my belt for every hunting trip and has broken down many animals. Cool thing about the knife is my buddies business is now booming, and I have one of the first knives he ever made. His current backlog is 40 months so I hope nothing happens to the knife he made me.

I only have one knife I wont use and that is my great grandfathers Case trapper. He gave it to me when I was 7. I lost the dang thing on a hunting trip about 15 years ago and then a friend found it a few years later behind the bunk bed of his hunting cabin. I put that knife away forever after that.

Man that’s a cool story. I would definitely put that one away.


I decided to go with y’all and carry it and use it. It’s on my belt now and will be in the woods with me tomorrow. Can’t wait to get it bloody. I’ll definitely post pics. Thank you all for the great info and yalls opinions. I’m excited about it now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ChrisS]

Good on you. I’d use it, too.

I use my best collectible knife, which isn’t expensive but still it doesn’t go into the woods with me: my great uncle’s handmade depression era knife.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MustardBased]

LIWolverine,

Glad I could help. Mr. Winkler lives/works up the road a piece from me in Blowing Rock, NC. I didn't see it on the blade in the pictures you posted, but does the knife have his ABS Mastersmith stamp anywhere on it? It may not, since it was made in a batch rather than a one off. The stamp will be small, and it will be a simple "MS" the stamp may be in cursive as well. I see you're in Magnolia, I've done quite a bit of hog/coyote hunting down around EL Campo, Wharton, Garwood area, as well as Tyler, Rusk, Jacksonville. We have them bad in SC, but y'all are flat out eat up with them.

 

[flatlanderhuffandpuff]

That is a beautiful knife!


I can only speak for myself as a knife maker, but I want every one of our customers to use the knives we make for them.

Making a knife requires a lot of work and cost a substantial amount of money to purchase. Once we get paid we don't really care if the knife sits on a shelf in a man cave or if it processes game all over the world. The important thing is that we know it will perform if it is asked to. For instance, our custom offerings are all scale related so the shape and construction of the blade is never compromised. If its wood or C-Tek it might show some wear over time but it's not like it can't last many lifetimes.

A lot of custom knives look great but aren't necessarily designed for use. The truth is that the "flair" that sets many custom knives apart is the same thing that makes them less than ideal to use. That twist design will pack full of fat and blood and will make it more difficult to clean than some more traditional designs but should not disqualify it from use.

My grandfather gave me his old Ka-Bar which I use on occasion. I feel much more connected to him when I use than I would if it just sat on my shelf. When I pass down special items to my children they will certainly show wear but each mark is a memory. Would your children rather have something that you used, loved, and cherished or something that sat in your safe for a half century?

That's my view of "objects".

Phil

 

[6mm Remington]

If you need it touched up (sharpened) to perfection let me know. I will do it for free and absolutely guarantee that it will be razor sharp and have a Perfect Edge on it! Insure the heck out of it and I'd pay shipping back to you also.

 

[LIWolverine]

If you need it touched up (sharpened) to perfection let me know. I will do it for free and absolutely guarantee that it will be razor sharp and have a Perfect Edge on it! Insure the heck out of it and I'd pay shipping back to you also.

That’s an amazing offer! I’ll use it til it’s dull this week (hopefully) and I’ll take you up on that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Akicita]

"'The sword is appointed to be polished, to be grasped with the hand; it is sharpened and polished, made ready for the hand. . . " - Ezekiel 21:11

Use it - Akicita