German Eye Knives

M

munk

Joined
Mar 22, 2002
Messages
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I have two German Eye brand knives. Does anyone know anything about these folders? A good friend and hunting buddy gave them to me, he thinks highly of them. They are the only knives I can sharpen easily, though I'm not asking about sharpening knives because there are many fine threads about that in the forum.

A man stayed up late one night, trying to sharpen some skinning knives before opening day of hunting season. He went from one knife to another. When he finally hit the bed, he did so knowing in his heart there was not a sharp edge in the entire house, unless it was the kitchen counter top. The man was me.

I am new here, and new to knives. I'm here to learn. After reading the forum threads for several days, I don't think I'll be disapointed, though I wish I could bring more to the table to offer you all.

munk
 
Munk
Welcome! Don't worry you will have plenty to bring to the table. Since first logging on here I have learn't, and continue to learn, a whole heap. What Eye brand models do you have? I do not have nay but hear a lot of good things about them here, I hear their Stag models are awesome. Hang around, have fun and watch your collection grow and tour bank balance shrink at the same time.
 
I have a yellow cellulite (sic?) handled sodbuster, a single blade 3.5", I think, and a stag handled two blade with nickel bolsters. They changed the design in that the Eye logo is now printed on the blades of the newer models, as well as being etched . The 2 blade pocket knife is about as big as you can carry without noticing something tightening your movements. Knifecenter.com carries a full line of them. This is good, because originally I called a small town in TX, the hardware store, to find one. A freind of mine uses the sodbuster to dress out game, including Elk.
I was taught by my father to sharpen knives with a stone many years ago. We had case knives. Those are all gone or stolen now. These German Eye knives feel the closest thing to those old case's. By 'old' I'm 45 to put it in perspective.
As I learn more I am very curious to link styles of knives to handgun choices. I see there are some Glock fans here. I prefer revolvers.

I should have known German Eye would hardly qualify as a 'brain teaser' here.
Thanks, Doctor

munk
 
Welcome to BFC!! I love the Eye Brand knives, and I have three in my own collection. The sodbuster is great, and I love my stag Trapper. The carbon steel is very easy to sharpen, but it stains easily.
 
Thanks for saying Hello, Rattler and Callahan. Staining is typical of all carbon blades, isn't it? Has Solingen recaptured any of the mystique formerly held before WWll for steel?

Rattler, I'd have to check my snake field guide, but there should be 4-6 poisonious snakes in your part of Tx. I spent a lot of time wandering the Mojave.

The ranchers here in Eastern Montana all have stories of owning good knives, only to forget leaving one on the tailgate and driving off. Many carry cheap pakistani blades. They never lose these...some kind of cosmic joke.

munk
 
Glad to see more Eye Brand fans. One of the things I like about their line is that they come with some of the stongest springs I've seen on a current production pocketknife:).

The springs are one of the first things I check in a knife I like, weak springs will only get worst. You can't beat the carbon steel blades they use also:).

:D:).
 
I miss great carbon steel. The sodbuster I own broke once in the former owner's hand. He couldn't believe it. The factory could not believe it. They were stunned. Put a new blade on it.

You know, with firearms there is a point past which paying more money does not provide better accuracy or use. I suspect the same is true for knives. The Eye brands are the finest pocket knives I've owned, and it is hard to make a case spending more.

I am curious what participation here will do to me. Years ago I laughed when someone suggested I might own many firearms.

famous last laugh,

munk
 
I have a large (4 1/4") Eye Brand stockman with carbon steel blades and nice (European red deer?)stag handle scales.
As bob bowie says, it has strong backsprings (typical for many European slipjoints), very good fit, and nice, but not so excellent finish.
Actually this helps to start using the knife instead of worrying about the looks. It also adds some feeling of "handmade"-ness, even these knives are probably fully production ones.
The blades are thicker and stronger than those of most American (Queen, Camillus, Moore Maker, Case) stockmans of the same size.
This makes the whole knife a little bit thicker and adds a rounded appearence in the cross section at the handles.
The master blade is noticeably "tilting" forwards in an angle, but this is not so extensive as you may see in some other knives.
The scale pins are not in the level of the stag scales but a little bit sticking out. They are nicely rounded, so it is not disturbing, but actually adds some more "grasping" points when you hold it.
The shield is way below the level of the scales, but I do not feel this very disturbing.
The only negative thing I can say is, that the knife arrived with very dull edges and rounded tips, but anyway, it is a nice USER knife, and will be a waste to keep it in storage.
 
My two blade is white stag horn, approx 3.75" closed. Knife center no longer lists this model. I am surprised you found the finish only very good. I thought mine excellent, wether this is a difference in our individual knives or my inexperience judging them I do not know. If this is only 'very good', then excellent must be breath taking.

With firearms and knives, I feel they are to be used. I never wanted to spend money to allow it to sit in an item anyway, or never had enough to consider it. I don't buy guns i can't shoot. If I use a cheap knife to spare my good knife; why did I buy the good one?

If you take a 'field grade' knife out with you, your excellent knives miss all the fun.

munk
 
I have a number of Eye Brand knives, and I like them a lot. They are good using knives - good carbon steel, and they usually grind their blades with a fine edge so they cut well. If you are looking for some of the unusual patterns, such as the large sodbuster, try Knives Plus in Amarillo, TX. They have regular sodbusters and even a locking sodbuster.
 
Munk, I think my knife was probably less carefully finished than yours. The swedge grindes on the master and sheepfoot blades of my stockman are not symmetrical, and the tang parts which meet the ends of the springs are not so nicely smoothened as they would be for example on a Schatt & Morgan.
The stag scales were not matched: on the shield side the scale was thicker and more sculpted.
The scales do not meet in a continuous line the bolsters. And as I mentioned already, the knife arrived blunt with rounded tip.
 
The shield side of my stag horn is thinner than the other horn side. The scales meet the bolsters in a continous line. OK, lay it on me; how much more can one get for 60 bucks (from knife center) for a two blade pocket knife? Besides jewlery?
How much should a great pocket knife cost?

I purchased a bayonet from a mailorder for my M1A. It was an Eikhorn. It arrived dull as can be. Practically edgeless. Further, it did not fit snug at all, being a lot of slop, maybe an 1/8". My impression was the factory supplied a similar spring insert for different models as a cost saving move and that is why the bad fit. I corrected with a small square of leather in the groove of the bayonet to snub it against the lug. I wrote Eikhorn about this. I mean, after all, their web page said the made the finest!! They never responded. Anyway, I had to wonder if German law permitted sharp bayonets to be exported. I noticed Eikhorn would not sell the vehicle mounting brackets for many 'assault weapons' to civilians. So, I wonder if sharp knives are a no-no too.

Speaking of no response, I wrote Kabar, curious about their steel because I've ordered a military style tanto blade. Never a word back.

If I spend too much money on a knife, how can I use it? I mean, if I was going into Afganistan maybe a 300.00 knife would be worth it, my life, right? But if I'm digging and poking around eastern montana I'd be afraid to 'hurt' my expensive blade. You know what I use a lot of times? A garden trowel out of a magazine. Solid shovel steel with an edge. It's at least a 1/4" thick.

munk
 
Munk, maybe I am just too demanding. All the "faults" I listed are mainly aesthetical only, and actually the way the scales are put on my knife, make it more comfortable to grasp and hold it.
Why should be a knife ment to be used absolutely symmetrical?
BTW my knife cost me a little bit more than $ 60, S+H included.
I am very satisfied with it, I do like its individuality. I agree, that for this money one not necessarily has to expect a "perfect" finish.
I have handled a Schatt & Morgan limited edition large stockman with bone scales, which had much better finish, but was less sturdy. The S & M would make a great show off knife, but I would choose the German Eye over it as a user.
 
little knife, how am I to handle the basic question: Who wants to hurt an expensive knife? What is the concensus on this in the forum? I think the german eye knives are probably in the middle of most pluck for your buck. More than this I wonder what you get.
MOst things in life, if you want beyond a certain point of quality, you have pay exponentially.

I don't want to put my fine things in glass cases. Unless I collected them for beauty...I could see that.

I suspect the German Eyes are finished so that no two are the same. One fat side of handle is probably standard. YOurs was made during a bad spring beer fest day....or a very good one. I think you are particular, but not too particular. When I managed a gun store I had an engineer come into the shop with a micrometer, complaining one side of his reciever was 8 thousands off center from the other side. He wanted to return the firearm to the manufacturer.

munk
 
Munk, I have never seen two slipjoints to look exactly alike. Some companies sell more uniform products (quality control?), some are not afraid of more variations (still can be 1st rate!). I like the individuality in a knife too.
I bought the German Eye stockman as a nice looking user, with the emphasis added on the 'user'. It is nice, but not so, that one might be scared to use it.
For my income, this knife is in the "expensive" category for me. I would prefer a custom, but right now I cannot afford it.
As I read the posts on the forum, most of the people here prefer to use their expensive knives. I agree with this view, even my experience is more than limited, because the most expensive knife I ever bought was a $ 150 fixed blade from Bob Dozier.
Re for your question:
I think you (and me) got a pretty good bang for the bucks spent on the Eye Brand slipjoints.
Nice, reliable and strong folders, will last for many years or even passed down the generations, depending of the extense of use.
 
I agree, the German Eye is pricey for my budget. For a birthday or something, not everyday..not with kids and mortgage. The people in this forum, enthusiastics for knives and often the outdoors, will actually buy a 2oo- 400 dollar knife and use it? Incredible. That's what it is for. I read here of a knife used all day and still sharp. I would like to own fine steel too.

It's like 4X4's though. The majority of them in the city are rarely thrashed. Some people wouldn't think of scratching the paint. The difference is that some really love 4x4s and use them. Knives must be the same,at least to many in this forum.
I have a browing hunting knife that isn't bad, but these German eyesy are the best I own. I'm afraid my knives are dogmeat to most of you here.
munk
 
I went looking for knives tonight and found many German Eye brands cheap as I've ever seen at Bladez.com
from 22 to 46 bucks.

munk
 
Eye Brand knives currently, are made by the Freidrich Oblertz company of Germany. They also make Bulldog Brand, Buck Creek, Indian head and Hen & Rooster. If you take a standard stock Eye Brand knife and lay it side by side with any of the above mentioned knives, you will see they are exactly the same. In the past all the above knives were made by different companies. They have consolidated their production over the last 10 years though.
Bulldog Brand is owned by Jim Parker of Chattanooga TN. Hen & Rooster, Indian Head and Buck Creek are owned by Jim Frost, of Frost Knives, also from Chattanooga TN. Eye Brand is distributed by Clarence Risner, NKCA president, of Ohio.
Most of the above knives are only trade names owned by American businessmen and manufactered by outside concerns. After WW II, most of the German cutlery companies were destroyed. The few remaining, manufactured for everyone else.
It is a real small club in the traditional knife world. Most of the companies mentioned only change hands to guys in the inner circle ie: Parker, Frost, Risner, Maxwell and Dorton. And if you ain't from south of the Mason Dixon line, forget about getting in on the action.
I hope this helps.
 
So you are telling me that Carl is only a tradmark? There is no German Eye?

munk

What's with the Mason Dixon Line? So much for capitalism...I'd sure support a capitalistic system, and hope we see one some day. I've noticed certain firearms sell for more or much less in certain places. I don't mean stores.
 
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