dagger (long and lots o' pics)

Les George · 05-02-2011, 13:14

Though you guys might find this interesting... I have been planning this for a long time, but finally busted it out. Big thanks to Mr Bill for his advice before hand.

I did some reading before hand (I even bought a book) and found out some interesting stuff about the history of this design and mentality. This, to me, seems like a knife that is designed about an idea. The knife design changed a little and the idea was refined and they learned how to better design and build the knives to fit the idea. Of course this is what lead to the A/F style daggers.

Of course as a Marine I went into it favoring the Raider Dagger even though I knew very little about it.

The Marine Raider's knife and the F/S are very similar. The Raider's knives handles where cast outta some kinda zinc junk that likes to eat it's self and fall apart. As a result most of them are in poor shape these days.

I have been reading the book that Wilkinsons Swords of UK fame put about about their work on the F/S daggers. They talk about the Shanghai Knives that inspired the F/S designs and according to this book W.E. Fairbairn received a knife from Yeaton and Moore, both United States Marines in 1933.

Lt.Col. Yeaton was the Commanding Officer of 3rd Marine Raiders Bn in 1943. So maybe they all sprang from the same roots....

From Wickipedia:

Quite an education it's been....

Turns out that this knife does not cut very well, but it stabs like a freakin bullet though HOT butter!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsC0v0Qisyw

Thanks for looking!

MVP · 05-02-2011, 14:09

Nice work, looks to be much heavier than an original F/S...

MVP

Les George · 05-02-2011, 14:34

Having never handled one myself I dont know for sure, the blade is 1/4 thick, which I understand to be more. It weights in at about 10.5

x SF med · 05-02-2011, 20:15

Les... it's ugly and it's mother dresses it funny, like Marine....

Can I try to break it? Bill lets me try to break his knives ...

(really... sweet! the video was awesome. My birthday is in a couple of months...)

Papa Zero Three · 05-02-2011, 21:34

Les, I dig it, especially if you've been in comms with Bill about it. I would tell you to make me one but I am still waiting for you to make that flipper for me.

Les George · 05-03-2011, 05:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by x SF med

Les... it's ugly and it's mother dresses it funny, like Marine....

IIRC, your knife's momma wears combat boots!

P03 - I'm workin on it, dang it!

mcarey · 05-03-2011, 07:56

Les,

I think you did a great job for the "first" attempt. I appreciate all the work and thought you put in to it!

See you at Blade Show.

Mark

orko · 05-03-2011, 11:27

what are the measurements? How about blade material?

Les George · 05-03-2011, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by orko

what are the measurements? How about blade material?

Might be good to post that, hu?

‎11 3/4 inches over all, 6 3/4 inch blade, 1/4 thick, 15/16 wide. 10 1/2 oz

CPM 154 blade steel

Balances out just behind the index finger.

orko · 05-03-2011, 18:38

Nice, that is truely a work of art. how long is the wait list?

Papa Zero Three · 05-03-2011, 20:09

That's a knife I'd be proud to put on a going away plaque or any presentation piece.

Barbarian · 05-04-2011, 06:22

Beautiful work, Mr. George. I especially enjoyed the vid.

ObliqueApproach · 05-04-2011, 10:44

Not sure if these are rare or not, but here is an original including the Sheffield England stamp in the crossguard, my dad gave me ages ago.

x SF med · 05-04-2011, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Les George

IIRC, your knife's momma wears combat boots!

Funny, I've only ever seen Harsey wear Merrels or sneakers or corkers... I don't think Bill owns a pair of combat boots.... and he can be a mother (2 words) on occasion if he doesn't get his logger lube.

Marauder06 · 05-04-2011, 17:02

Nice work on that knife.