Enter the Kodiak

Opinion of the Kodiak

  • Love it

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Its just OK

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Dislike it

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Same OI thing, big yawn

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
Damn R.W. that's a beautiful knife. It has been great being able to watch this go together. I have more and more respect for your abilities as a knifemaker every time I see one of your latest knives. Well done.:)
 
Carly Simon singing.....


Anticipaaaay-tion.....it's making me wait......making me wayy-attteee.....

:D
 
Thanks for the sequential posting....it's fun!! Nice looking piece!!!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Now, with the knife being at its final shape, it is time to make the sheath. Note, I prefer to make my sheaths before the knives are completely finished. In this way I can avoid any scratches or dings that would require refinishing the knife.

From the first design phase, I have been doing alot of thinking about the sheath. I was going back and forth between my normal pouch style and a more traditional two piece. In the end tradition won out. I decided that a pouch just would not look right with this knife. I also felt that for this knife (if used in the field) I would not want the bulk and overall function of a pouch.

A quick note on my sheath designs. You may have noticed that on my leather sheaths, I bring them very high on the handle. This was not always the case. Up until the first of the year my sheaths were of a normal height. I had finally made a knife for myself as an EDC with my old style sheath. After about three months of carry, I noticed that the handle was getting the tar beat out of it. So that was the start of the high sheath. I figured that the purpose of a sheath was to carry, secure and protect the knife. And, it is easier to make a new sheath (when it gets beat up), then to install new handles. It was when I discovered that it was impossible to draw a knife from my sheaths when I started installing the fobs in the thong hole. After all most of my knives are hunters, so I felt it was more important that the knife still be there when you need it than to have a super fast draw.

OK, back to the Kodiak. I started with a paper pattern made from a grocery bag (I always make patterns for each knife, even if I am making 3 #10s, each one will have its own pattern). Sorry for not having photos of the pattern. I was moving fast and did not stop for photos, and the pattern is always destroyed in the process.

To try and keep with the style of handle protection, I brought the front panel very high. The security strap will wrap and lock the front flap in place. This also protects the handle from the metal of the snap. I used 7oz veggy tanned leather for the sheath. Note that the welt is made up in two pieces. This is simply a way of saving leather. The seam will make no differance in the finished sheath. And, you will only be able to see it if you know what to look for.
This is a photo of the rough cut parts. The next step will be to put them together with rubber cement and check fit. I will then use my grinder to even out all the edges and curves.

<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1663783&a=13142472&p=55105313&Sequence=1&res=high>
 
OH, Corona is pretty nice. It can get pretty darn hot during the day though. I love the new shop setup. I am not longer bumping into things every time I turn around (added over 200sqft so I am at something like 650-660 sqft). I also don't have to worry about gang bangers late at night like I did in Anaheim.

My new place is south of the fwy and way up the hill. That can lead to some pretty strange shop visitors though. I was working late at night hand rubbing some blades when I heard a noise in my shop behind me. As I spun around (big knife in hand) I saw what at first I thought was a large dog. Once I focused on it I realized that it was a big coyote (standing in the middle of my shop!!!). I am not sure who jumped more, me or him. But we both quickly headed opposite directions. I once again keep a small 357 revolver in my back pocket when working late in the shop. But now I don't quite mind as much.;)
 
The sheath is now glued together with rubber cement. Fit is very good and it is ready to have all the edges ground to final shape. After it is at its shape it will be time to tool, dye and stitch up (not looking forward to that one little bit).

<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1663783&a=13142472&p=55105316&Sequence=1&res=high>
 
As I have stated before, I have never seen a maker go right through the complete making of a knife on this forum before. This has been a real education and has been greatly appreciated. I have probably come back to this thread a couple of dozen times. It has bee thoroughly enjoyable.
 
I really enjoyed reading this thread also.
RW,
Great ginds and lines on the knife, definately a winner!! Seeing it come together in all the photos was nice. The sheathwork looks awesome too.

Greg,
Can I borrow it sometime :D

Neil
 
I am fairly new here and just got into fixed blades (used to think folders were all I needed... pure blasphemy!!!). This thread has been the best education I have had while on the forums. Anyone interested in the progression in the life of a fixed blade and the dynamics betweeen buyer and maker needs to read this.

So what's the latest R.W. and Kodiak?

Thanks for all the helpful info...JT
 
Ron's been a little tied up lately with just having a baby girl last week so we will have to let him get used to late night feedings and doting on his little girl before we see the finished Kodiak. It will be well worth the wait, though.

Congrats Ron!
 
I'm sure that it will be well worth the wait. I am starting to think that Ron does some of the nicest work out there and this knife has done nothing to change that opinion.
 
First of all I will have to ask Ron to post the pics. The ones he sent me were lost during a computer crash.

I was floored when I opened the box today. It literally took my breath away. The sheath by itself would wonderful let alone a beautiful camp style fighter. The tooling on the sheath, complete with a Kodiak bear is unbelievable.

The knife is gorgeous and the grinding is spectacular. Very even and symmetrical. This is a hefty big knife with a 9 inch blade. the burl handle with its 10 pins and lanyard hole offsets the wood nicely.

I would just like to thank Ron publically for giving me a heirloom quality knife.

Will try to post a pic in the AM if Ron can't.

Thanks all for following this post.
 
Congratulation Greg on getting your knife. Can't wait to see your pixs. Ron does nice work.
 
OK, so here we go. I was waiting for Greg to recieve the Kodiak before I posted any more photos (not fair for you guys to see it before he gets it), then my computor decided to take a vacation. But it is back up a limping, so lets finish this saga.

Last photos were of the roughed out sheath. WELL...... when doing the sheath I was really focused on the sheath, and forgot to get photos of the rest of the process:(. Kinda sucks, but oh well. So with that being said, here is the finished sheath.

<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1663783&a=13142472&p=56613913&Sequence=1&res=high>
<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1663783&a=13142472&p=56613917&Sequence=1&res=high>
<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1663783&a=13142472&p=56613915&Sequence=2&res=high>

I really like the high front. To me not only does it add extra protection, but also adds more lines to catch the eye and gives the overall package more of a classic appeal. The bear took me forever to find. I had to use a pattern because I just plain suck at drawing:rolleyes:. Its really funny, I always talk about how much I hate stitching a sheath, yet I continue to hand stitch two rows on all my sheaths :confused:. Heh never said I was bright:D.

And last but not least, here is the finished knife. You guys did not miss much since the last photos. Just a little clean up on the blades finish and some hand sanding on the handle.

<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1663783&a=13142472&p=56613919&Sequence=1&res=high>
<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1663783&a=13142472&p=56613921&Sequence=1&res=high>


So there she is. I know I did not go into a whole lot of detail at times. If I had this would be twenty pages long. So if you guys have any questions reguarding a certain step of process, now is your chance to ask.

So I leave it to you guys, it question and answer time.

Oh BTW, whos next? I mean, who is the next maker to step up and go through one of their projects. Or would you just like to see another of my "specials"?

Also, for you guys who voted that you do not like it, why? I am not being nasty, quite the contrary. I would really like your input on how it might be changed or improved upon.

Thanks guys, this has been alot of fun. And thank you Greg for having enough faith in me to set me loose with a rough frame work, some cash, and little else.
 
I have all the faith in the world in you as a maker and businessman. You put your heart and sole into this project and for that I will forever be in your debt.

I know we hear it all the time but the pictures do not do this knife justice....particular the sheath work. The sheath is just stunning. The color cannot be appreciated unless you hold it and see the amount of work that was put into it.

The blade is just beathtaking. It literally took my breath away when I took it out of the sheath for the first time. :) I'd like to point out that the tip of the blade is not as obtuse as the picture makes it look. It is much more sleek. Must be the camera angle. Also the handle....omigodwhatahandle! The balance point is just forward of the bolster and is quite comfortable to hold. This is a big, meaty knife and with its Paul Bos heat treat I know it would deliver. I have to admit right now that I have no plans on using this knife. I am a big fan of the functional using knife but for now, I have no plans on using it. I know that is a shame in a way but I don't think I could handle scratching it up right now.

I look forward to reading all the comments.

Thanks again Ron! Enjoy that new baby!
 
Greg-

Congratulations, you lucky so-and-so! That IS stunning.

Ron-

As nice a piece of work as I've seen in quite a while on a big knife. Your craft is evolving to a level that few knifemakers attain. The only thing that looks at all out of place on that knife to me is the bare guard sticking out from under the bolster. Seems the bolster shape could have been extended downward congruent with the guard, so that it covered and matched the guard shape. I think visually this would look more complete, as well as offering a little broader and more contoured surface for the hand to ride against in use. The way you left it certainly is distinctive, though, and I imagine many will prefer it as is. Tremendous effort all around--I also think your sheathwork is without peer from active knifemakers right now.

Thanks again for the great pics of the process.

-Will
 
Kodiak PA: Congradulations on a gorgeous knife to add to your collection. The real question is will you ever use it? I'd be so worried!

Mr. Clark: I have followed this thread since it's inception. It has been great to see the making of the knife, as an ongoing process. I'm sure that the this thread will make Kodiak PA's knife all the more cherished.

Zzzen_Dog
 
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