Ken Erickson Knives: A Retrospective

Ken, your versatility is amazing!
It really is a treat to get to just see pictures of the work you (and other makers) are putting out.

I have a question about the scales, if you don't mind. As seen in the side by side below, the jigging on the original knife continues right up to the bolster, as if the bolster interrupts the pattern, while on yours the jigging stops short of meeting the bolster. Is this intentional? or a matter of preference?
I think they both look good, just curious.

IMGP7822_edited-1-1.jpg
 
Good question Stu,

At times I like running the jigging into the bolsters like the original Schrade. On this knife I had some very subtle thickness issues that necessitated the jigging stopping just short of of the bolsters. Actually also if you compare the finished pictures you will see the jigging extends a bit closer to the bolsters than the wip picture.
 
I was happy to pick this lockback up of Ken's recently. This Remington Bullet pattern has a generous 3 9/16th-inch D2 blade and is 4 7/16ths-inch closed. With great Erickson fit and finish, it is a lot of knife.

EricksonBulletLockback2.jpg


EricksonBulletLockback3.jpg


- Joe
 
Love that Remington repro! Congrats on scoring such a beauty and splendid job Ken!!
 
Thanks for the kind comments on the lockback guys! I made that one along with a green Micarta twin at the same time. I believe that Roland is the current owner of the Micarta lockback.

Thanks again, very much appreciated.
 
Roland, you are the real deal! A hunter, farmer and knife user extraordinaire! With a nice knife like that from Ken - it's icing on life's cake!

I finally got to pick up another of Ken's beauties today. Here's that English Jack you have all seen and heard about. Inspired by Schrade's embellished EJ pattern, it has some subtle improvements, but old Uncle Henry would recognize it in a heartbeat!
It bears Ken's first use of his steel-identifying code, in this case, number "2" for A2 steel.
None of that modern, stainless wonder-steel for this great old pattern, just good traditional tool steel that takes and holds an edge. In many ways, ATS-34, or CPM-154 might be a more practical choice, but I like the fact that this knife exudes tradition!
F & F are superb, befitting Ken's talent and skill.
A hefty knife at 4 9/16", I could have carved the turkey with it - Thanks Ken!!
Ken E EJ 1.jpgKen E EJ 2.jpgKen E EJ 3.jpgKen E EJ 4.jpgKen E EJ 5.jpg
 
Charlie, It looks just like one of your excellent old Schrade knives! Man!
That's a beautiful slip joint! What else can you say.... A2 great choice!
Congrats to you both! Amazing job Ken...


Jason
 
Thanks Jason! I'm really enjoying CFing and CEing this knife!
Ken put a lot of effort into giving it the goodness of the oldies. It could have been a brick because of its heft, but Ken kept the bolsters thin, and rounded the handles, to give it a lighter feel and look.
The proportions are just right! So many makers struggle with these things. I don't pretend to know all there is, but it seems you have to look long and hard at old knives before you can capture the things that make them so appealing.
Folders went through hundreds of years of evolution to get to this point, and my hat is off to the few who preserve this tradition of near-perfect form and function!!
 
Congrats, Charlie & Ken. That is outstanding!
 
Congratulations, Charlie! A great EJ that Ken just knocked out of the park. :thumbup: Don't wear it out before you cut something with it. ;) I imagine it is a hard one to put down. Enjoy!

- Joe
 
Those are some fine knives Ken, well done.

Roland, Joe, Charlie congrats on some great knives from a great maker.

TA
 
waynorth said:
Thanks Jason! I'm really enjoying CFing and CEing this knife!
Ken put a lot of effort into giving it the goodness of the oldies. It could have been a brick because of its heft, but Ken kept the bolsters thin, and rounded the handles, to give it a lighter feel and look.
The proportions are just right! So many makers struggle with these things. I don't pretend to know all there is, but it seems you have to look long and hard at old knives before you can capture the things that make them so appealing.
Folders went through hundreds of years of evolution to get to this point, and my hat is off to the few who preserve this tradition of near-perfect form and function!!
Click to expand...

This along with the other kind comments are what keep me striving to build the best knife I can. Thanks guys!
 
I got bored and hadn't posted to this thread yet (which is beyond me why!) so sat down and went right through and I really love all of what you've done...your bone has thas that look of the old knives that few seem to be able to replicate with impeccable grinds on all your blades, now that i'm subscribed I can keep in check with all the new stuff you put out. :)
 
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