It’s been a year since I started this thread so it’s time for an update:
Previously, as
AVigil
pointed out, it’s easy to find out about a maker by simply calling them up and speaking to them. Well, after starting this thread, I tried. I called every phone number I could find regarding Elton Misner. None of the numbers worked as they were no longer operating numbers. All dead ends.
I contacted Mike at Knife Purveyor to see if he could shed some light and get me in contact with Elton. Well, as he had done previously, he spoke about Elton, mostly about how he’s been into making knives since the 70’s, has been to the Loveless shop to receive guidance from Bob and Jim, and is still striving to make a very fine knife. When asked about contact info though, I was told by Mike that he is the one dealing with Elton and Elton’s knives, but if there was a build that I’d like to request, he could see what could be done. Not sure if Mike saw it as an attempt to undercut his business but I was upfront that the intention wasn’t there. I was simply looking to talk with Elton about his knives. Another dead end.
Fast forward. The Loveless style Semi-Skinner I was interested in was still available so I decided to purchase it. I hadn’t stopped looking at it every now and then over the last year, just to see that it was still there, but also half hoping that someone would buy it and possibly end my torment! (LOL).
I love the knife! Elton’s fit and finish on this knife is superb and the contouring of the handle melts to your hand. The proportions of the knife are slightly larger (mostly in height) but the overall profile is very close in dimensions to my Loveless Semi-Skinner. The guard is finely soldered and it’s seamless along the spine and bottom of the tang, almost looking integral, with only a very faint line distinguishing the two separate parts. The scales are a nice deep black linen micarta with thin red liners that really pop. Buffed to a high shine, it presents a very classy look to match the blade which is also polished to a high gloss mirror shine allowing the maker mark to stand out prominently.
Every aspect of this knife is smooth with the edge being the only thing your hand wouldn’t want to explore.
Which brings me to the one negative that I could find (or that mattered to me). The edge was a little uneven. Sharp in the middle 1/3rd of the blade but very thick at the rear (primary grind is a touch thick back there also) and slightly uneven at the front causing a rounded and dulled tip. The strict collector may not care that much about the actual cutting edge but I bought this knife to use, so after a some work, I was able to even out the edge grind from front to back, give the knife a nice sharp pointed tip, and put on a nice toothy hair shaving edge that should make short work of field dressing the next deer I shoot. I tried to copy the same toothy edge that I have on a handmade DPH from Bob Dozier and I think I got pretty darn close with it.
I must comment on the sheath as well. The leather work is classic Loveless style, very nicely done, hand drilled and stitched with the built in cam to lock the knife in solid. The leather is the perfect weight to retain shape and provide the necessary rigidity to stand up to use. It’s also nicely colored and it’s really going to look great with some handling marks.
If anyone has any questions that they’d like me to answer about the knife or if you’d like any additional pictures, feel free to post here or send me a message!
