Combining Hobbies - Rocks, Knives and Photography

[Win]

I've got a pretty eclectic knife collection and thought some of my polished rocks would make a great background. I'm also an avid photographer, do have some gallery representation for my landscapes.  Here are a few I've done recently, I've posted some of these on a photography forum, too. I'll add more in the future.

[MsAli]

Is that 3rd handle done with Lichtenberg?
Whats the 4th one?

[aDave]

I like knives as well, but I've actually managed to temper the urge to get into collecting them. I spend enough money on other things, so I didn't need another drain on the wallet. There are a couple I carry, but I even have some that are still unused and in the box. IMHO, there's nothing like a well crafted knife.

[Win]

Ali,

The 3rd handle is Mammoth Ivory, the 4th Fossil Mammoth Tooth. Both of those have Mammoth Ivory spacers, Mokume Gane bolsters. Mokume is a form of Damascus, using Nickel Silver and Copper in this case.

I started collecting custom knives in 1988 and have owned at least a couple of hundred. Selling and trading has gotten me a pretty nice collection, as I've aged I've really slowed down. More rocks now than knives!

I just photographed this one - handle is Petrified Wood and Fire Agate:

[pizzano]

I collect knives....well actually did, until I got into rocks.......a few vintage, most from the 80's & 90's.
Here's a pic (no rocks) of my everyday (field work/hounding) carries right now......I rotate my "users" on occasion.......only the vintage collect dust....:



The top one is a Russian made bulat, 80 fold Damascus....my sharpest knife.
The middle one is an 80's USA made Stainless with Mother of Pearl.
The bottom is a Pakistan made German steel "Buck 55" knock-off.

None of them have great market value......but all take a very good, sustainable edge and have been durable. 

[hummingbirdstones]

Beautiful knives!  That first one looks especially dangerous.    

[MsAli]

Aug 16, 2019 14:55:16 GMT -5 Win said:

Ali,

The 3rd handle is Mammoth Ivory, the 4th Fossil Mammoth Tooth. Both of those have Mammoth Ivory spacers, Mokume Gane bolsters. Mokume is a form of Damascus, using Nickel Silver and Copper in this case.

I started collecting custom knives in 1988 and have owned at least a couple of hundred. Selling and trading has gotten me a pretty nice collection, as I've aged I've really slowed down. More rocks now than knives!

I just photographed this one - handle is Petrified Wood and Fire Agate:

Absolutely beautiful. 

[aDave]

Aug 16, 2019 14:55:16 GMT -5 Win said:

I started collecting custom knives in 1988 and have owned at least a couple of hundred. Selling and trading has gotten me a pretty nice collection, as I've aged I've really slowed down. More rocks now than knives!

This is why I'm glad I never got into collecting knives, as I don't know what I would do with all of them.

I still, however, have the very first "real" knife I bought at 18, a Buck 110 Folding Hunter. Crap, I guess that means it's over 40 years old. It used to be a working knife, but since I had it sharpened by Buck some decades ago, it's been a safe queen to be passed on to my son. I had two other Bucks that I now regret getting rid of that were purchased in the early 1980's. One was a 110 with stag scales and a custom sheath (from Buck), and a Kalinga.

Nowadays, I mostly carry a ZT, but certain Spyderco's are backups.

One day I'll buy a nice Damascus blade knife. I've always loved the look of the steel, but I've never ventured enough to pull the trigger.

In that small sample you showed, you clearly have some really nice pieces. Well done.

[fernwood]

I really like you photos. The rock backgrounds really highlight the knives.

[Win]

Aug 16, 2019 18:18:35 GMT -5 hummingbirdstones said:

Beautiful knives!  That first one looks especially dangerous.    

The first one is called a Kiridashi, which is a Japanese utility knife.  It's an extremely practical design, I especially liked this one with Copper and texture. The blade is only 1 1/2".


Here's another Kiridashi, the chisel grind is on the side for a right handed person. This one is very heavy duty compared to the first, thicker steel, heavier wrap. 

[Win]

Aug 16, 2019 15:10:28 GMT -5 pizzano said:

I collect knives....well actually did, until I got into rocks.......a few vintage, most from the 80's & 90's.
Here's a pic (no rocks) of my everyday (field work/hounding) carries right now......I rotate my "users" on occasion.......only the vintage collect dust....:



The top one is a Russian made bulat, 80 fold Damascus....my sharpest knife.
The middle one is an 80's USA made Stainless with Mother of Pearl.
The bottom is a Pakistan made German steel "Buck 55" knock-off.

None of them have great market value......but all take a very good, sustainable edge and have been durable. 

That Russian made knife is pretty nice, good to hear that the Damascus was done right.  There has been an influx of poor quality Damascus knives from Pakistan, being misrepresented all over the internet and at gun shows.  I own a few Damascus pieces but have never used one, just safe queens.  

[RWA3006]

Very nice. Besides collecting, do you build any knives? A guy used to post here some beautiful knives he put stone scales on and I always enjoyed seeing his work. I think it was rockmanken

[pizzano]

Thanks Win.........I started collecting when I inherited my Step-Grandfather (Mom's side) and Dad's pieces. Both were into it. Dad was a cutlery collector, Grand Dad was a master carpenter and really big into deep-sea fishing.......both were immigrants from Europe, Italy and Poland. Almost everything I have from them came from across the Atlantic. My Dad was stationed in Japan during the Korean War, his collection includes some of the finest cutlery I've ever put my hands on.......I only use one (daily) from that collection (30 pieces), all are very valuable and kept locked up in my firearms safe.... an occasional peek now and then....lol

I seldom, if ever, purchase new....! I'll buy a new sheath for those that didn't come with one, like that Russian Damascus that's over 25yrs old. I hear ya about the junk (fakes) found at shows. Although, one can find some authentic material (for a price), if one is knowledgeable and don't buy into the hype. I've found that the guys who sell their wares and talk the least are the most genuine.......lol

I'm very partial towards Damascus.......studied quite a bit and lucky enough to have spent lot's of time with both of my mentors, who taught me functionality and steel quality are key's to a blades longevity........the use of the proper tool for the job......and the ability to keep the edge's razor sharp....!

As you probably figured, I'm an old school "made to use" collector. Your'e pieces are fantastic and appear as functional as they are gorgeous art.......!......great photo work as well.......!

[Win]

Aug 17, 2019 11:24:44 GMT -5 RWA3006 said:

Very nice. Besides collecting, do you build any knives? A guy used to post here some beautiful knives he put stone scales on and I always enjoyed seeing his work. I think it was rockmanken

Nope, never built a knife. I've met most of the great makers and it's amazing what they can do. Some take a piece of steel and grind away to sculpt a knife, others go to the forge and hammer away to do theirs. With knives it's all about the heat treat, will the edge hold, will the knife break under stress? I believe the forgers have the "edge" here but stock removal with proper H/T will do very well. New, exotic steels coming along all the time, hard to keep up. I just bought a knife from a Russian maker, it's in old school 440C, I'm fine with that.

Jason Knight is a Mastersmith and was a judge on Forged in Fire, he can do it all, from large to small, all will hold up to hard use:

[rockjunquie]

Works of art- all of them. The photography does them justice. Great job!

[Win]

Lot of fun digging out my cigar boxes of rocks and taking these photos! I've been on a bit of an Orange kick, got this watch and a have 5 knives in it. Fun promoting the rocks on knife and photography forums.

[Win]

pizzano Here's an older knife from a maker that's become pretty well known, Jody Muller. Sole authorship, Jody made the Mosaic Damascus and engraved the guard. The handle is Walrus Tooth with a Mammoth Ivory spacer.

[aDave]

Aug 23, 2019 12:16:40 GMT -5 Win said:

pizzano Here's an older knife from a maker that's become pretty well known, Jody Muller. Sole authorship, Jody made the Mosaic Damascus and engraved the guard. The handle is Walrus Tooth with a Mammoth Ivory spacer.

I know your post wasn't directed at me, but I'd have to say that is my favorite thus far.

[Win]

Still using some of my tumbles for background. I'm retired so the Covid 19 is only affecting my away from home activities. At home I get to play with rocks and other hobbies. These rocks here are Petrified Wood from Virgin, UT and Bacon Agate from Moab, UT.

[aDave]

Apr 27, 2020 10:38:44 GMT -5 Win said:

Still using some of my tumbles for background. I'm retired so the Covid 19 is only affecting my away from home activities. At home I get to play with rocks and other hobbies. These rocks here are Petrified Wood from Virgin, UT and Bacon Agate from Moab, UT.

I know it's a knife thread, but for me, the Python is the winner.  

Everytime I see one, I kick myself for not having bought one way back when, but I couldn't afford it - bought a 6" 686 instead.  The Pythons had the most beautiful bluing of any handgun I ever recall seeing back then.  Your's looks to be in beautiful shape as well.