I love hollow-handled survival knives, and my most favorite types are the Rambo style serration ones. And I am not talking about the el cheapo United Cutlery knives and the even more el cheapo Master Cutlery ones. I am talking about the highest end, high quality handmade hollow handles. Knife makers such as Andrew Clifford (BTW, Andy has fully recovered from his hand injury which resulted in several different surgeries on it. Anyway, he is back in business and making knives again after having to be off for almost a year). Black Starr Knives, Ray Matton, Martin Knives, Steve Voorhis, and several others all make very high end hollow handled knives that are made to use to the extreme.
I particularly like the Voorhis and Martin hollow handled knives (I have a Voorhis and soon will have a Martin knife) because their tang construction is such that the knife tang comes almos halfway through the handle and is connected by a very high impact thick bolt oif sorts, I also have a very rare handmade First Blood movie knife that is my dream knife and I always wanted one. The reason I call it a rare knife is that a master smith with over 50 years of knife making and teaching knife making, is the one that made it. And it is the Only First Blood handmade movie knife that he ever made. Also, it is the Only handmade First Blood movie knife that is made with 440V steel.
Now, if you are one that no matter what is said, ou just don't understand the durability of a well made handmade hollow handled knife, but yet you love the round handle look, then you don't have to look any further than Andrew Clifford. Some years ago Andy devised and designed a way where he could make what is called a full round tang knife. He makes this style, which is his own style and is the most difficult knife styles to make. Anyway, the knife I am mentioning here is actually a full tang knife. However, the handle is shaped round. Believe me, it is no farce. And you can tell it is really full tang when you pick one up and handle it. You can just feel the weight of the handle, but also how incredibly well balanced it is. Andy then wraps the handle with 550 lb military grade para cord.
And hence, a full round tang cord-wrapped knife that looks like a hollow handled one, is born!! With Andy back to the knife making grindstone, I will be getting my 3rd knife from him very soon!! He made one for me for me to dedicate to my late Father, who to me was the real John Rambo (not his name tho). dad served in the US Army Special Forces back before they were even known as Green Berets, but then became a Green Beret during the Vietnam War. He retired from the US Army Special Forces 21 years later from the time he joined. And he could sit down and really tell some great true stories about Korea and Nam.
Anyway, I contacted Andy via a reference from a friend who mentioned him to me, back in late 2009. When I shared with him about making a high end brand new survival knife in honor of my Dad, Andy immediately accepted the request and got on it right away. It took a few months longer than anticipated due to recurring issues. But Andy pushed through, showed his true dedication, and even paid for the knife to be Overnighted to me just in time for my Dad Dedication Night. To quickly just sum this up, Andy did for me what no other knife maker was willing to do. Andy and I have since become good true friends.
And so, folks, that is what I can share about hollow handled knives. I know hollow handle knives are made fun of and mocked, and people say they are worthless. But these people that say these things against hollow handles, my belief is they are judging all hollow handled knives based on the ones they can afford, those being the cheap United Cutlery and even more cheaply made Master Cutlery ones. Because if they ever bought a genuine high end handmade hollow handled knife, they would definitely change their minds about them!! Thanks for reading.
