So as not to pollute the "Ordering Questions" thread...... here are two model #1's with lugged nickel silver hilts. As the Cap said, rare...rare.

This one is double rare..... early 1960's brown micarta in a Johnson brown button sheath.


This next one is an early 1970's knife with a hilt that's big enough to be on a Smith!

"Mitchell,
I know that the shop has made very few. I know of the story of one @ the shop sale a few years back. Mine, yours, one other, in a Florida collection...Not many that's for sure. That could most certainly change as it isn't that big of a deal to make some lugged hilts up and install them..."BUT"...(I know...) for the present, it's a rare bird! Your 2 are in thin air...and quite nice.
Best, Capt. Chris"

PS: Here's a matching pair with, a little help from my friends, I was able to extract from Rhett's collection. Rare? Scarce? Ya'll can tell me. They are 22 years old and are clearly etched S/N's #1 & #2, along with the build date! However you swing it: Nice STASH!
Stay sharp, Capt. Chris

I like the 60's model with the nickle silver hilts! The micarta is a nice touch also.

Tune never fails ...

Here is one I had - in brass and small - years ago:

So now I wonder, are the extant nickel silver lugged hilts made by welding the lugs, or like the brass ones now, cut from one blank?

Quote: (isn't that big of a deal to make some and install them)

Really?...try hand-sanding and polishing ground NS and see how much you like to do it!!

DW...I don't think that I would like to do any part of the building of the knives.....sounds fun for a minute....and that's about it!!
shaping those "natural" handles has got it be a load of fun!!!
I think that I'll just stick with sending a check!!!

:-)Rocky

Getting the blade grind uniform and correct is what amazes me.

I would like to revive this thread with another "Rare Bird" flying in "Thin Air"....


Very early Model 13-6" Arkansas Toothpick


Carbon blade without choils

Nickel/Silver lugged hilt

Nickel/Silver scalloped collar

Thick leather spacer

Genuine Ivory handle

Nickel/Silver name plate

RARE Duralumin flanged and scalloped butt cap






Hanging out in one of my safes for now!

Re: Tattoo Bill's knife above.

Wonder if the idea with the leather spacers was to allow the ivory to vary in length by compressing the leather?

Just a thought since I don't see any reason to put single leather spacers on a knife. And the leather doesn't add aesthetically to the appearance of the knife.

The scalloped collar and butt cap are unusual in this metal or these metals--somebody must have placed the order when the shop had time to take on unusual tasks.

Larry

P.S.: Not to slight a nice knife, but we see one reason many people shunned ivory over the years.

Well if the leather spacer was an effort to keep ivory from cracking, that didn't work.

I believe the shop stated that it was originally an employee's knife.

early one

Another Gorgeous One! Thanks Joe!

Here is my other old 13-6 Ivory Joe....

Crutch's Toothpick reminds me of some of the mid-1800's knives, and perhaps (due to the handle) some of the 1800's San Francisco knives. Too bad Crutch's knife does not include a nickel silver sheath.

Larry

Like an old Michael Price Dagger!

Here is the very first Model 12 made with a nickel/silver hilt AND 3/8" nickel/silver butt cap! This special Thorpe Bowie was ordered in 1965 and delivered in 2/66.