Ken Erickson Knives: A Retrospective

Just another detail;
probably 90% of the early Schrade Cut Co knives had glaze finished blades, with a crocus (high polish) finish on the mark (front) side of the master blade.
Keeping as close as possible to the original, Ken has done similar finishes here. Hard to see in the pics, so trust me, the tradition continues!
Here's the Glaze finish;
Ken Glaze.jpg
And here is the "Crocus";
Ken Crocus.jpg
(For clarity, the method for making a true Crocus finish may be a lost art!)
 
I recently had a knife(this knife is not available) engraved(my first)by Nathan Dickinson and keeping with firsts I also had this knife professionally photographed by Jim Cooper. Jim as many may know is one of the preeminent knife photographers in the world. Thanks Jim!

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It was love at first sight when I saw that engraved hunter. Truly amazing work!
 
This is a just completed(not available) Eureka cattle knife(as defined by Levine's 4th). I base this knife on the New York Knife Co. example shown on page 191 LG4.

I think this is a wonderful pattern that combines a full size spear blade and generous sheepsfoot blade in a relatively slim frame. This knife uses a single spring and a catch bit allowing the full size spear blade. Closed length is 3 5/8. This one has a small number 6 on the pile side master denoting CPM154cm. What is also interesting about this knife compared to Eureka jacks is that the master comes off the large end. This allows for a sunken joint on the master, while the sheepsfoot is half-sunk. The way the blades sit when closed, the run-up of the sheepsfoot is buried or protected by the master blade, yielding no sharp corners when closed.

I did want to mention the bone and jigging. I used a bit different dye process and am really happy with the results. A bit of a two tone affect, with a lighter underlying color. Ken Coats offered some suggestions on the process:thumbup:.

Thanks for looking!

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That came out great, Ken. Speaking from personal experience with this pattern, I know the new owner is going to love it! :thumbup:
 
Achingly beautiful!! A wonderful pattern, and the bone is another step upwards - nice going Ken!!
 
Great pattern, Great Knife! Amazing job Ken! Jigging
and dyeing looks GREAT! Love that color... Congrats
to the maker and new owner!


Jason
 
What a classic looking pattern and when it is executed with Kens eye and talent it is even a pleasure to get to look at it.
 
Blues said:
That came out great, Ken. Speaking from personal experience with this pattern, I know the new owner is going to love it! :thumbup:
Click to expand...
When I first saw the Eureka Ken made for Elliott, I really was stuck on this pattern. It was really different. When the time came for Ken to make me another knife, I wasn't sure what I wanted, because his body of work is so diverse and he can pretty much make any pattern you pick. I remembered this pattern and talked to Ken about it. You can tell he enjoys making the pattern, and I was excited to have him make it. As you can see by the results, he completely nailed it. His suggestions on the shield, and bolsters work well with the knife, and the jigging and color of the bone are just what I was after. I can't wait to get this knife....Bravo Ken, you are a gifted artist!!!:thumbup:
 
Congrats, Tony. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine.
 
Every time I see a new knife from you, Ken, I don't think you can surpass yourself, and you keep doing so. Amazing.
 
That is such a nice knife all round, how the blades seat next to each other is a real treat to see and that bone has a very appealing look to it...Congrats Tony! and brilliant work Ken. :)
 
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