I can't afford them, so I have to build my own "version"

This one was inspired by a very old number 8 (or two?) I saw a pic of on here. Quite a bit different from some of the current #8's though.

Steel is 1/5th N690, blade is 3.77" long, OAL is 7.67". Cross guard and pommel - brass, handle is micarta, brass, leather and Fallow Deer. Tang is 1/5th x 1/4" and tapers to .177" for the last 1/8th for the rivet.

Here's what served as inspiration:



And here's the knife:















Thanks for looking - comments welcome

Nice. Looks like a good edge on that blade.

The handle looks like build for big hands?!

And the blade is very sharp!?

Nice job, Willem. Great looking knife!

Hi Willem,

Nice job! Regarding your "inspiration":

The top knife in the photo (stag handle) was the first Model 8 made for Litch Steinman, a good friend of Bo's who came up with the Trout and Bird knife idea.

The bottom knife in the photo (pinned ivory) origin is described in a letter to me from Mr. Robert Gaddis as follows:



Note:

1. "Fred Gilman" owned a general store at Walloon Lake, where Bo had a summer vacation house.

2. The first 9 Trout and Bird blades were made from 1/8" thick stock. Those thereafter were made from 3/16th stock.

Best,

Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate the kind comments - and I am glad you like the knife. Perhaps a few remarks - Hans, the handle does taper out a little towards the end but it is still fairly slim - I think the blade makes the handle look wider than it is. I do have large hands but even so, I think the knife will be comfortable for most men.
Ron, thank you for the information, I really appreciate it. Brilliant to be able to own one of the originals! I can just imagine what an authenticated knife like this must be worth :-) More than the money, that is for sure! Also, thank you for the information on the steel - 1/5th (5mm) is the closest I had to 3/16th (4.8mm) as I'd read somewhere this was the steel size used. I did think it a little "robust" for a bird and trout knife initially, but the grind worked well and is actually very clever - the long swedge Mr Randall added to the top has the effect of thinning down the tip and increasing the cutting/slicing/filleting ability of the knife, while the "ridge" formed between the bottom and top grinds helps the knife retain a lot of the strength inherent in the thicker steel.
But, seeing as it was an original that inspired me, and as I have some 1/8th on hand, I guess I have no option but to make another one, more true to the spirit of the original...:-)

Bedankt Willem!!

Hi Willem,

My pleasure. My "user" is an early 60's 8-4. I think the 3/16" stock thickness is just about perfect for this knife and the 1946 1/8" stock version was just too thin for any kind of aggressive use. If you make one from 1/8th stock, I would be interested in your opinion as well.

Best,

Thanks Ron. I will definitely make one from 1/8th but I can tell you now, you are right - it will make a fine bird and trout, as well as filleting knife but it will be too thin for general and more aggressive use.

I am thinking of making my interpretation of a "replica" of the first one - the Steinman knife, and using 1/8th stock for that, as per the original

Sounds good, Willem. I'm looking forward to seeing a photo of it.

Best,

Here it is then - http://www.knifetalkforums.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=110611#Post110611