Thats a beautiful chefs knife.  I got two from Takeda from Japan.  He was at the Chicago Custom Knife Show several years ago.  They are not nearly as pretty as that one but they cut real well.  They are very fragile and you have to be very careful what you cut, but wow, when you are using them as intended it makes kitchen prep pretty fun!

I am pretty good at the smithing part but my handle work still leaves a little to be desired.  Once all the fire and sparks are done and I've hand polished the blade and it cuts, I loose interest a bit.  I have a whole box full of blades waiting for handles.  When I want to use one, I do a quick cord wrap on it and get my cutting done.  I have done handles in micarta and several exotic woods but it isn't as fun to me as beating the steel into shape.  

Found a pic of one in process.  I will take some pics of blades in the next couple days and get them posted.

I picked up a couple of Mantis blades from "Mr. Knife Guy" yesterday here in Chandler.  http://www.mrknifeguy.com/

Brent, the owner, was very knowledgable and had a nice selection of brands and styles.

"Chaos" 


"Cinq 1" Karambit

Cinq. I like..

I'm a little late to this thread, but I'll post up anyway.
My daily carry knife is a Gerber Mel Pardue SBT3550 auto. I use it as a tool, the auto feature is great when you're holding a piece of wood over your head, and have to mark a line or cut a sliver off to make it fit. It has also helped me avoid trouble a couple of times. Holding it up, pushing a button, and having it go *snick* and people back the make the beast with two backs off.
My camping knife is also a Gerber, a MkI belt/boot knife. Small enough that I don't feel like a Rambo wannabe, but tough enough to handle camping chores, and takes a great edge.
My dress knife is from Lone Wolf Knives, and is a Gerber Paul style with bubinga handles and a damascus blade. Gorgeous knife, but only about 2 1/2" long.
Some beautiful knives in this thread.

Thanks for the input BB.
I'm checking out a Pohl knife now. Any comments on this brand?

Quote from: Bun-bun on September 13, 2010, 04:19:22 AM
I'm a little late to this thread, but I'll post up anyway.
My daily carry knife is a Gerber Mel Pardue SBT3550 auto. I use it as a tool, the auto feature is great when you're holding a piece of wood over your head, and have to mark a line or cut a sliver off to make it fit. It has also helped me avoid trouble a couple of times. Holding it up, pushing a button, and having it go *snick* and people back the make the beast with two backs off.
My camping knife is also a Gerber, a MkI belt/boot knife. Small enough that I don't feel like a Rambo wannabe, but tough enough to handle camping chores, and takes a great edge.
My dress knife is from Lone Wolf Knives, and is a Gerber Paul style with bubinga handles and a damascus blade. Gorgeous knife, but only about 2 1/2" long.
Some beautiful knives in this thread.

Any pics?

My new one!!  The Pohl H3 Alpha 2..




Check out the Hornet on the homepage too.  Liking that skull!!  

http://www.pohlforce.de/

SOG Trident is my favorite though.  It is in my pocket at all times.


+1 My everyday knife

Isn't it funny, just thinking here, that in this day of incredible high technology with all the lap tops and smart phones that can do your laundry, wash your dishes, take pics and videos, etc. we all still revert to carrying the modern version of what the cave man used. A sharp bladed tool. And we use it every day in some manner or another. It may not be a piece of sharpened flint but it's still the same damn thing. Some things never change. Like most of you, I'd feel naked walking out the door without my knife. Screw my cell phone, ain't going anywhere without my folder. Interesting...

Interesting observation

I don't have a forge or anything but for the last year or so, I have wanted to start knifemaking along these lines.
http://www.knivesofflint.com/KNIVES_HUNTERS.php

Flint knapping has always fascinated me.  I've chipped out a few flints for my flintlocks but trying a knife blade looks pretty interesting.  From what I understand, they cut pretty well.  I've found several knapped arrowheads and one stone knife on my farm over the last 20 years.  Always interesting to find!

I have a good friend that is really into excavating ancient American Indian sites in the Texas Hill Country area (Austin to San Antonio, etc) and he has found some really nice arrow points. He's actually very good at making primitive bows and arrows. He knows a thing or two about knapping out arrow points. Neat stuff. Think I'd better stick to my Benchmade folder.

I've got a Ken Onion Leek for daily civvie clothes carry. A protech auto-opener for uniform carry (it's a bit heavier). I've got a SOG trident. But, don't like the stippling on my knife handles. Pain in the butt to pull out of the pocket.