Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2020 I have made my living making custom knives for twenty years but I am not usually a customs buyer. I like to buy good stuff when I can afford it but mostly, because I am the proverbial "starving artist", I do much of my shopping on eBay or at garage sales, I drive a 2001 truck and the sheet rock in my shop still isn't done. Well, for the first time in my life, I think, I ordered something custom, rods from Steve (steeldrifter). You probably already know this if you follow his custom rod posts. We were talking about how a custom maker can appreciate the craft of another custom maker (even if we can seldom afford to buy custom stuff). As it turns out, buying a custom rod is pretty easy and in this case quite reasonable. As a side note, I think that Steve is not valuing his work as highly as he should be, but far be it for me to tell another man how to run his business. Besides that, he's a pleasure to do business with. Anyway the name of this thread is "Customs in, customs out". I am soon to receive my rods from Steve (which I'm very excited about) and I am ready to ship a custom knife to a customer. This is the forth knife this particular customer has ordered. He has one for himself and two others for two of his boys, this one is for the third boy. It goes out tomorrow. The damascus is raindrop pattern, bolster, subhilt and butt plate are brass, the spacer is musk ox horn and the main part of the handle is mammoth tooth. I hope it's new owner (who is five years old) enjoys it as much as I enjoy my new rods. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steeldrifter 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2020 First thing that comes to mind....Freekin' gorgeous What is the handle made of Mark is that a hybred? Love the added matching inlay in the sheath as well nice touch there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Meeshka 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2020 Nice work. What's your rear handle made of. I've been trying to get a similar result out of birchbark and rare earth pigments for a flyrod grip Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2020 The handle materials are musk ox horn near the guard and mammoth tooth for the main handle. I was editing the OP with that info cuzz I knew people would ask. You guys are fast. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2020 Actual, fossil, mammoth tooth? THAT is a beautiful knife, Mark. Exceptional workmanship. As stated above, the inlay in the sheath is a neat touch. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steeldrifter 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2020 Surprised Mike didn't ask if there were any blue mammoth teeth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2020 That would be next ... after finding out if it's REAL mammoth tooth or some other material called that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2020 Actual, fossil, mammoth tooth? THAT is a beautiful knife, Mark. Exceptional workmanship. As stated above, the inlay in the sheath is a neat touch. Yes, we got lots. We get them from mammoth tooth fairies. Where did you think they went after the MTF flies away with them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2020 Also, guess what, guess what, guess what.... My rods came today. And they are even nicer than they looked in the pictures. So if you are not jealous of me, you should be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steeldrifter 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2020 Ah cool glad they got them there today Mark. I guess one day late for the PO isn't too awful bad considering how different things up there are. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2020 Yes, they are actually real mammoth teeth, we sometimes get them with bluish hues. Want to see more, Go to markknappcustomknives.com and look under knife making materials and then mammoth teeth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TIER 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2020 Wow, that is awesome. How much are those? I want to buy one! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2020 Wow, that is awesome. How much are those? I want to buy one! Thanks James. I don't usually quote prices over the internet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vicente 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2020 Looks very nice Mark, I think musk oxe maybe my favorite material as far as looks go. The subject of mammoth ivory came up on Steve's road thread I think many of you thought I was joking about it being a legitimate material, I think the tooth looks better but there's plenty of mammoth ivory available too. Mike you can also buy stabilized dyed mammoth tooth, as blue as you want it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Poopdeck 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2020 I'm not a knife guy but I am a craftsmanship guy and that knife is simply breathtaking. Unbelievable level of craftsmanship. Stunning! I can't even imagine the skill, experience and passion it takes make something like that. Holy crap that is a nice knife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites