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Posted By: Boise Okamura - 02/05/12
I ran into Mike at the Boise knife show and really liked his knives. I've known Mike for many years having worked with him prior to him retiring. He helped me put together my very first knife - a 24hourcamfire clip point provided by Tim Olt. He's been making knives for a long time and the samples I've seen were always exceptionally nice so I asked him to make me one. A couple of months later there was a knock at my door and he hand delivered this:

Just the knife, not the 92
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My photograph doesn't come close to doing this knife justice. It's mirror finish blade is just one sign of the quality. The grind lines, honestly done by hand, are nothing short of perfect - as confirmed by three different model makers. This knife was all hand done from the sawing of the blank all the way down to the jimping.

I chose the blade profile, D2, and provided the deer antler (same piece on the sheath) and asked Mike to make me a nice one. He went with Granadillo and died maple veneer accent.

His price was rediculously low and leadtime was only a couple of months. I LOVE this knife.
Posted By: VinceM Re: Okamura - 02/05/12
That's very nice! Thanks for showing it I love that handle.
Posted By: aablades Re: Okamura - 02/05/12
Outstanding combination on the handle !!
Posted By: Mink Re: Okamura - 02/05/12
Wow....speechless here...simply gorgeous
Posted By: RNF Re: Okamura - 02/05/12

Looks like some nice craftemanship and a useful pattern, congrats.
Posted By: Mannlicher Re: Okamura - 02/05/12
your friend does good work!!
Posted By: TBREW401 Re: Okamura - 02/05/12
Tell more about the handle-- awesome
Posted By: Boise Re: Okamura - 02/05/12
Mike is buying his handle materials and sending them off to be stabilized. This was the first I've seen or heard of Granadillo. The dyed maple is 0.020 thick and also subjected to the same stabilizing process. The antler was from a shed I picked up - wished I had given him antler from one of the deer I had taken.

It doesn't show in the photos but the handle metal is fully radius. Not sure how he pulls off such perfect radii while blending with the softer handle material. It does feel great in one's hand.

The handle is skeletonized with a random (not pretty) hole pattern.
Posted By: Fort_Henry_Custom_Knife Re: Okamura - 02/05/12
Very cool handle! I've heard of Granadillo but never seen it.

Excellent Rifle also!
Posted By: Boise Re: Okamura - 02/05/12
The rifle was a pawn shop rescue from many years ago. Purchased as a wall hanger but lots of fun to shoot. Was out shooting it yesterday and figured it would add character. It was a big hit with my friend's wife.

Thought there would be more comments on the sheath and the braided landyard. Mike had been delivering with one of his plain sheaths and I suggested a fancier sheath may increase knife show sales.
Posted By: ArtinNC Re: Okamura - 02/05/12
Very nice.
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