eLarry--

Not to speak for the shop, but consider how the exposed tang knives (14, 15, etc.) have to have a uniform thickness for the full length to get the tight fit in the channel in the Micarta.

Those knives are made in the "14 Room" and they must have to pay special attention to the flatness and thickness over the full length of the steel to make it all fit right.

I was confused for a moment about the length versus thickness in your posts. Hand forging and grinding and finishing can lead to individual blades varying in both length and thickness. Probably the only way to avoid that would be to make them using computer-driven production equipment like is done with the true factory-made knives.

Don't let any of us or our comments detract from enjoyment of the knives! We all are in it together, out of choice, and constantly learning.

Larry