Well, I lost a long time "friend" last year. My Rhino bone handle fixed blade knife. I may still find it when the water level drops, as I know exactly where is went in.

However I needed a replacement. Having plenty of "stuff" here I collect from all the Africa hunting, I decided to have a couple knives made from the odds and ends I've managed to bring home.

This first one made by Robert Cabrera in Texas came out with flawless perfection. Actually quite a bit more fancy then I would need. It is a special knife to me made with the game I've hunted/ or had to shoot. The Handle is made from Giraffe bone, and the sheath from a nice piece of tanned Bull Elephant hide.




The back of the blade is deeply scrolled with this pattern and then backfilled above the handle for a smooth finish. Not sure how he does this, but its hella fancy stuff!

The next one being made will be by Lucas Forge I don't have back yet, I'll post up when that one comes back. The plan for that one is to have an African Blackwood handle with Warthog Ivory and another elephant leather sheath from the same bull elephant, although his sheath design to fit that knife.

Nice. Has that "fast" look.
Don't drop this one overboard.
Tim

Looks like a handy design. I like that file work on the tang with the backfilling. And I love that style of sheath with half of the leading edge a fold over and the other half sewn together. That elephant hide looks real good too.

The blade design was unique to me, in that is will allow me to skin 400-600 lbs animals and still has the fine point and blade design that will provide a functional blade to cape an animal. Especially turning ears and skinning around the eyes and lips.

My lost knife was very good at this, it had the design kinda like the sharp finger but a bit bigger. This was the best blade design that I could find for this.

The Lucas Forge knife that is not back to me yet will have a bigger blade for skinning bigger game from 750 lbs and up. It also has a blade design that will allow a much more effective fleshing chore too.

Maybe this forum is more directly for collecting knives? Not sure as I don't visit it enough. My needs are for only fully functional use in the bush.

Two of the most critical needs for me, are caping my clients trophies for mounting them, and then fleshing the hides to effectively salt them. Finally.... although no less critical is cutting up the meat into packable chunks.

A very important design is a caping knife with a 3"- 3.5" blade with a very sharp pointed tip, this is sometimes a fragile area of the blade. Also needs a knurled back of the blade near the handle to place your index finger in a non-slip position.

Skinning and butchering needs a longer blade, for me 4-5" with a sweeping edge from the handle to the tip.

Mostly users and accumulators on this site.
Function first, then....

You haven't told us the blade length and steel type and Rc treatment. Users want to know that information... collectors don't care.

I would simply call Dale Howe tell him whatcha want, and you'll get it..... but I'm biased....

CPM154 stainless steel hardened, tempered and cryo treated down to 59-60 RC

The overall length it 7-3/4"
Blade length 3-1/4"
width 1-1/8"
thickness 5/32"

I know that the knife is the "art" but this sheath is such a wonderfully perfect piece of art work as well. Wish I would have brought home more elephant hide now!

And a few "Enablers" (makers) here to.

Too many good "Enablers" on this forum to single out just one. Dale Howe's Elmax, Bret Dowell's CTS-XHP, Mike Miller's 154CM, and Rick Menefee's S30v are all winners. I'm sure that there are lots of others as well, but I have been pleased with the quality of knives from all of these makers over the years.

I think almost all "Enablers" are users and accumulators also. It is part of the affliction.
Tim

I don't doubt that for a second!