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CFK / iPAK Knives - for all those who dare!

This thread is for all those "risk takers" who have taken a chance and purchased a knife from CFK or iPAK. I know you are out there, I have seen several photos of some very nice blades here on iKC.

To learn more about CFK and iPAK beyond what you read on Ebay, visit this link:

https://www.customforgedknives.com/

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lars on January 27, 2025 at 20:32

CFK Bison Sub Hilt Hunter

What’s this…another sub hilt? Better believe it!

This is the Bison sub hilt hunter, a straight-back hunter featuring 420 J2 stainless steel for the blade, bison horn for the handle scales, and brass rod and tubing mosaic pins. Coming in at 9 3/4” overall, this bad boy makes for a perfect camp or bush craft knife.

Here’s the goods on this one:

SPECIFICATIONS:
Blade Style:	Straight-back; Hollow ground, Satin finish
Blade Type:	420 J2 Stainless Steel
Blade Length:	5 1/4"
Blade Gauge:	3/16" at Spine
Handle:	4 3/8" w/ Bison horn scales, mosaic rod pins, lanyard hole
Tang:	Full
Overall length:	9 5/8"
Weight:	10 oz.
Rockwell:	Hardened to 55-57 HRC

MARKINGS:
Obverse Markings:	CFK logo w/ J2 Steel
Reverse Markings:	None
Guard / Pommel:	None
Custom File Work:	Custom file art on tang

Sheath:	Yes; "pocket" sheath w/ ferro rod or sharpening rod loop
Material:	Cowhide leather
Sheath Notes:	The attached straps are for concealed or horizontal carry options

Permalink Reply by Kevin D on January 27, 2025 at 21:05

Very cool looking knife! I love the sub-hilts to begin with, add a bison horn handle (or water buffalo), and I am drooling over it.

Mosaic pin, a good sized solid bolster, hollow ground blade... Yep. Significant lusting going on here.

Very nice acquisition! Congratulations!

Permalink Reply by Kevin D on February 14, 2025 at 17:08

Damascus blade (1095 and 15N20), brass guard/bolster, sheep horn handle scales, mosaic pins, brass pommel. Unless you upgraded the sheep horn to buffalo horn or fossilized mammoth (teeth, bone, or tusk), I do not think you could make a knife more suited to my tastes. Just wanted to share my latest acquisition with you.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Blade Style: Hunter - Clip Point Bowie; Hollow grind
Blade Type: Damascus Steel (1095 and 15N20)
Blade Length: 7½" : (7-1/8” cutting edge)
Blade Gauge: .146" Thick
Handle: 5.2"
Tang: Full
Overall length: 12.7"
Weight: 11 oz.
Hardness: Hardened to ≈59.3 HRC

MARKINGS:
Obverse Markings:         None
Reverse Markings:         None
Guard / Pommel:            None
Custom File Work:         File work on back of handle tang

Sheath : Yes; with loop for fire starter rod (A typical CFK sheath design)
Sheath Material : 8 oz. leather.
Additional Sheath Notes: Attached straps are intended for horizontal carry option

Side Note : My Aunt made the quilt for me years ago. My favorite quilt.

Permalink Reply by Lars on February 14, 2025 at 21:18

Oh baby! What a geat combo - Knife & Quilt....could starty a whole new group with that one! :-D

I have to agree with your knife assessment - that is a beauty. It's hard to to tell..is that brass bolsters and pommel or SS?

Yepper, the kid here is drooling with envy - good score on this one my friend.

Permalink Reply by Kevin D on July 19, 2025 at 9:40

I neglected to add this back when I got it. It has been used a bit so does not have the pristine finish on the blade any longer. The edge is holding up great though! :)

SPECIFICATIONS:
Blade Style:	Hammered Steel Kukri; Hollow grind
Blade Type:	AUS10 Stainless Steel
Blade Length:	9½"
Blade Gauge:	¼" Thick at the Spine
Tang:	Full
Overall length:	14½"
Rockwell:	58-60 HRc

Permalink Reply by Kevin D yesterday

For what ever reason, CFK has removed all of their knives from ebay, and is now selling them on "WhatNot". I had not even heard that site before today, and my wife confirmed that she had heard of it.

Probably indicative of a different platform, this WhatNot site is a LOT different than what I have gotten to expect from ebay.

I am still trying to figure it out, and experiencing a bit of frustration with this new site, but I thought I would share that it does not look like CFK will return to ebay. The second hand sellers that I have seen are not offering the knives at a decent price as a general rule. Occasionally you can find a deal, but it is certainly not as common as it once was.

Permalink Reply by Lars yesterday

Great post Kevin - thanks for the info.

Based on your findings, I went to see just Whatnot is. In less than 5 minutes I too found myself in the same spot as you Kevin - frustrated, and overwhelmed with options while being funneled into joining and payment options. I discovered more than I wanted to know, including what appears to be an online shopping mall of live auctions:

https://www.whatnot.com/tag/knives_and_hunting

It looks like Cutlery Corner on steroids. Don't get me wrong - this model obviously works - I just don't understand it yet, and on the surface, I'm not sure I want to. I know - this last comment just set me up for the "get with the times, Lars! Embrace new ideas and trends!" responses....deservedly so.

One thing is for sure though - while CFK may not be gone, it certainly makes me appreciate the ones I have even more. Looks like I am going to have to get with the program and get the rest of my CFK's posted here fopr posterity and communal enjoyment.