Ken richardson

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dalr753

Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
77
Has anyone owned some of kens work, and what do you think of them compared to something like the cold steel laredo(sk5)? Are his bowies as good fighters/working knives?

Also do you know of any different bowie makers? maybe some lesser known ones like bear and son or hen and rooster?
 
I have owned the very large Bowie of Ken Richardson, ...a different knife compared to Cold Steels Larodo, Kens blades are quite a lot thinner, I personally wouldnt buy a Cold Steel Knife..but thats getting into a different topic.

I kinda like the Ken Richardson story, and his knives, but again, thats a personal view, why not have a peek into our Forums "for sale" threads for fixed blades..we have a fantastic number of awesome makers out there whos knife you can get....that will be a hand made beautiful piece compared to Cold Steels version....quite possibly for the same money as well, you can also review the actual knife makers within this forum as well...
Another forum is to go into the Makers forum where you view makers and their knives that are for sale.
 
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No experience here with Cold Steel, but I have used Ken Richardson's knives off and on for around 30 years. Very successful in his niche. Makes a nice knife. A family business, started with only saw mill blades for stock, now uses bar stock. Nice product for the price. Has done business through Bass Pro and Cabela's for years. Hard to go wrong for the price.

- Joe
 
I grew up in the same holler where ken richardson started making knives, he inspired me get started making knives. Great products, have one of the very first knives he made from a crosscut saw-blade.
 
I'm not familiar with Richardson, but the Hen & Rooster Bowies are excellent for the money, well made with good steel and materials, and coming with good leather sheaths. All of mine are made in Spain, with ram's horn handles, but they make nice stag ones as well.
 
Picked up 7 unused Ken Richardson knives from someone with a bunch of knives abandoned by a relative who got out of the knife selling business. Wasn't familiar with them ( thought they were coffee table conversation pieces). Paid $12 to $25 each for them only to go home and find original tags for $225 to $275 on the backs of the leather cases. Thus began a little research, though there are those who know a lot more about Richardson's knives than I do. Don't know many people who would actually carry one for daily use, but with 1085 hi carbon blades, solid brass hilts, tight antler handle attachment etc. I suppose you certainly could use them in the field with no problem. Sheer looks and collectability would make every day carry unusual, I think. They're handsome and tough, in my opinion. A lot of them out there, I've found, so he's probably been at it a long time.
 
dalr753 said:
Has anyone owned some of kens work, and what do you think of them compared to something like the cold steel laredo(sk5)? Are his bowies as good fighters/working knives?

Also do you know of any different bowie makers? maybe some lesser known ones like bear and son or hen and rooster?
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When Mr. Richardson was making the knifes himself, they were awesome. Extremely durable. I have used an 8" bowie on numerous hunting trips into the Rockies and it has held up really well.
HOWEVER, I just purchased a 5.5" hunter/4" fillet piggyback combo that I am not happy with at all. Mr. Richardson's family has not continued with the tradition of providing quality products. The sheath is absolutely horribly assembled, although it is made from the same quality of materials. The knives themselves exhibit very poor fit and finish. Poor grinds, poor blending of the brass and spacers, just poor assembly PERDIOD. If you can find one that was made by Ken himself, it is definitely worth having. I would NOT purchase any new knives from "his" company though. IMHO These will be the last ones I buy from them...
 
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