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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 Ray on October 3, 2021 at 18:44

When it comes to a sub hilt fixed blade adorned with ram horn scales, I fall for it every time. So when this one popped up it screamed Lars!

The nitty gritty:

SPECIFICATIONS:

Blade Style:	Hammered Steel Clip Point Bowie; Hollow grind
Blade Type:	D2 Stainless Steel
Blade Length:	6 3/8"
Blade Gauge:	3/16" Thick at the Spine
Handle:	5 1/8" ; Sub hilt w/ Sheep horn & Camel bone
Tang:	Full
Overall length:	11 1/2"
Weight:	12 oz
Rockwell:	Vacuum Hardened to 58-60 HRC (so it is claimed)

MARKINGS:
Obverse Markings:	CFK logo w/ D2 Tool Steel
Reverse Markings:	None
Guard / Pommel:	None
Custom File Work:	Custom file art on tang

Sheath: Yes; "pocket" sheath w/ fire starter or sharpening rod loop
Material: Buffalo hide
Sheath Notes: The attached straps are for concealed and horizontal carry options

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on October 6, 2021 at 19:57

Featured in the post Adventures with Food in the Forgotten Past Times group (https://iknifecollector.com/group/forgotten-past-times/forum/topics...) is one of my go-to meat knives from CFK.

I like this knife a lot...no really....a lot! It has some heft to it - so you know you have a knife in your hand, but it's light enough to use all day. It keeps a good edge, it's easy to clean....and it's really shiny!

Here's the details:

SPECIFICATIONS:

Blade Style:	Drop point, Hollow Grind; Mirror polished
Blade Type:	1095 High Carbon Steel
Blade Length:	4 3/8"
Blade Gauge:	3/16" at the Spine
Handle:	4 7/8" ; Black Canvas Micarta, Steel bolsters, Mosaic brass pins
Tang:	Full
Overall length:	9 3/8"
Weight:	10 oz
Rockwell:	Oil Hardened to 58-60 HRC (so it is claimed)

MARKINGS:
Obverse Markings:	CFK logo w/1095 High Carbon
Reverse Markings:	None
Guard / Pommel:	None
Custom File Work:	Custom file art on blade spine & tang

Sheath: Yes; "pocket" sheath w/ fire starter or sharpening rod loop
Material: Buffalo hide
Sheath Notes: The attached straps are for concealed and horizontal carry options

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on October 10, 2021 at 14:05

Custom Sport Knife

I'm not exactly sure why CFK / iPak do not name their models, but they don't. So this is my 2019 Custom Sport knife. It's custom from the perspective that there is not another one like it. CFK makes plenty that are similar, but not another one like it.

The Sport knife features a mirror polished 1095 high carbon steel blade with a hammered ricasso, and jimping on the spine. The full tang sub hilt handle features buffalo horn and camel bone scales, mosaic pins, and a brass lanyard hole. As a package, it's rather handsome.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Blade Style:	Drop Point w/ Convex bevel grind; Mirror polished
Blade Type:	1095 High Carbon Steel; Hammered ricasso
Blade Length:	4 5/8"
Blade Gauge:	3/16" Thick at the Spine
Handle:	4 5/8" ; Buffalo horn / Camel bone
Tang:	Full tang with custom file work
Overall length:	9 3/8"
Weight:	9 oz
Rockwell:	Oil Hardened to 58-60 HRC

Sheath:	Yes; "pocket" sheath w/ fire starter or sharpening rod loop
Material:	Buffalo hide
Sheath Notes:	The attached straps are for concealed and horizontal carry options

MARKINGS:
Obverse Markings:	CFK logo w/1095 High Carbon
Reverse Markings:	None
Guard / Pommel:	None
Custom File Work:	Jimping on spine, Custom file art on tang spine

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on October 12, 2021 at 18:33

iPAK Sub Hilt

Although I have bid on various CFK and iPAK knives over the years, I wasn't successful in actually winning any until I scored with this one - an iPAK sub hilt drop point Bowie. I love everything about this particular knife - except that Punisher logo they slap on all of them. I know it's a matter of taste....I'm just not into such elements etched on the blade like that. But that is for another blog.

Making up for it is the use of jeweler's grade yellow turquoise with the sheep's horn scales - nice! Here are the details:

SPECIFICATIONS:
Blade Style:	Drop point bowie with swedge; mirror polished
Blade Type:	D2 Tool Steel
Blade Length:	6 3/8"
Blade Gauge:	3/16" Thick at the Spine
Handle:	Sub-Hilt; Polished Sheep Horn / Yellow Turquoise, Lanyard Hole
Tang:	Full
Overall length:	11 1/8"
Weight:	14 oz
Rockwell:	Vacuum Hardened to 58-60 HRC

Sheath:	Yes, w/ crossover strap & secure snap closure; ferro rod or sharpening rod loop
Material:	Buffalo hide
Sheath Notes:	The attached straps are for concealed and horizontal carry options

MARKINGS:
Obverse Markings:	"Punisher" logo
Reverse Markings:	None
Guard / Pommel:	None
Custom File Work:	Yes - back of blade spine

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on October 18, 2021 at 18:08

CFK Nessmuk

Here is my happy accident knife - a Nessmuk-style skinning knife. I placed a bid with 4 days still to go, then never expecting to be a serious player on this particular piece, I forgot all about it. Low and behold...I apparently caught everyone sleeping because my haphazard bid won! A rare occasion, to be sure!

Note that it's 420J2 steel. I had to look that one up. I'm not sure if it's good or poor, but it sure holds a good edge and it cleans up well when used for the BBQ.

Here's the goods on it:

SPECIFICATIONS:
Blade Style:	Drop point Nessmuk-styling; satin polished
Blade Type:	420 J2; Hollow grind
Blade Length:	4 5/8"
Blade Gauge:	3/16" at spine; 90 degrees
Handle:	5" ; Sheep horn scales w/steel bolsters
Tang:	Full
Overall length:	9 5/8"
Weight:	11 oz
Rockwell:	55-57 HRC

Sheath:	Yes, w/ ferro rod or sharpening rod loop
Material:	Buffalo hide
Sheath Notes:	The attached straps are for concealed and horizontal carry options

MARKINGS:
Obverse Markings:	CFK logo w/ 420J2
Reverse Markings:	None
Guard / Pommel:	None
Custom File Work:	Custom file art on tang spine

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on October 22, 2021 at 16:42

It slices, it dices, and it cuts a mean smoked ham! This is a trailing point Bowie I picked up back in 2019. The blade style is not one I would normally consider owning, but it just has that appeal - so I thought I would take the risk and try it out. Sure glad I did....it has become one of the top 250 favorite knives I own! (Slight exaggeration - but you get the idea).

Here's the scooby on this one:

SPECIFICATIONS:
Blade Style:	Trailing point Bowie, Swedge, Mirror polished
Blade Type:	1095 High Carbon Steel, Hollow Grind
Blade Length:	5 1/8"
Blade Gauge:	3/16" Thick at the Spine
Handle:	4 3/8" ; Sheep horn scales, stainless steel bolsters
Tang:	9 5/8"
Overall length:	9 5/8"
Weight:	9 oz
Rockwell:	Oil Hardened to 58-60 HRC

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

MARKINGS:
Obverse Markings:	CFK logo w/1095 High Carbon
Reverse Markings:	None
Guard / Pommel:	None
Custom File Work:	Artistic file art on tang spine

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on October 24, 2021 at 13:32

CFK Sub Hilt Bowie - Ranger

I mentioned that I'm a sucker for sub hilt knives with ram's horn scales, right? Yea...I thought so. Like a great Subway sandwich, this bad boy has all the right ingredients. The sub hilt handle features sheep horn and camel bone scales, mosaic pins, and a brass lanyard hole. The drop point blade is 1095 carbon steel with a little artistic file work on the spine and a 3/4 length swedge. And shiny....woo it's shiny!

Here's the delicious details:

SPECIFICATIONS:
Blade Style:	Drop point Bowie
Blade Type:	1095 High Carbon; Hollow Grind, Mirror polished
Blade Length:	6 1/8 "
Blade Gauge:	3/16" Thick at the Spine
Handle:	5" Sub-Hilt Sheep Horn / Camel Bone
Tang:	Full tang w/custom file work
Overall length:	11 1/8"
Weight:	14 oz
Rockwell:	Oil Hardened to 58-60 HRC

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

MARKINGS:
Obverse Markings:	CFK logo w/1095 High Carbon
Reverse Markings:	None
Guard / Pommel:	None
Custom File Work:	Custom file art on blade spine & tang

FeaturedPermalink Reply by dead_left_knife_guy on October 24, 2021 at 13:39

Lars, those are some incredible looking knives! Alas, I have not partaken of the CFK / iPAK knives. However, given the knives you've shown here, I can certainly see why you have. And great photography, by the way!

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on October 24, 2021 at 13:53

Thanks brother! Your opinion and comments are always appreciated!

So far it looks like I'm the only one to play in this sand box....which kinda surprises me to be honest. Before I started this thread, I did an iKC search on CFK discussions. There are quite a few proud CFK/iPAK owners out there in the iKC stratosphere...maybe I'm not using the right bait? :-D

I'm rather glad I chose to start a sub-group within the Box Full of Knives instead of starting up one more category group. I don't know if my ego could take being the only member.... LoL! Wait...a monopoly on the group...only my knives being showcased? Hmmmmm....

dead_left_knife_guy said:

Lars, those are some incredible looking knives! Alas, I have not partaken of the CFK / iPAK knives. However, given the knives you've shown here, I can certainly see why you have. And great photography, by the way!

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on November 12, 2021 at 18:31

CFK Stonewashed Fighter

This is my 2020 CFK Stonewashed Fighter. With its size and styling reminiscent of the Bob Loveless Dixon Fighter, this custom knife features a hammered stonewashed blade, a long comfort grip camel bone handle with two mosaic pins, a polished double hilt, and a lanyard hole. Filing art adorns the upper tang spine. The blade is 52100 ball bearing steel which is a high carbon steel with excellent wear resistance and strength. The knife comes with a leather pocket sheath with attached straps for concealed and horizontal carry options.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Blade Style: Drop point; Stonewashed & Hammered

Blade Type: 52100 Bearing Steel

Blade Length: 5 1/8"

Blade Gauge: 1/8" to 3/16" at Spine

Handle: 4 3/4" Camel Bone; mosaic pins

Tang: Full

Overall length: 9 7/8"

Weight: 8 oz

Rockwell: 58-60 HRC

Sheath: Yes; "pocket" sheath w/ ferro rod or sharpening rod loop

Material: Buffalo hide

Sheath Notes: The attached straps are for concealed and horizontal carry options

MARKINGS:

Obverse Markings: CFK logo w/ 52100

Reverse Markings: None

Guard / Pommel: None

Custom File Work: Custom file art on tang

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on November 13, 2021 at 19:01

CFK Arkansas Toothpick

If you're going to own a dagger, then make sure it makes a statement - like this CFK Arkansas Toothpick. It's 13+ inches of pure dagger delight! It has all the qualities one could want in such a knife….it looks good, it’s pointy, it’s sharp, it feels good in the hand, and it screams “pig-sticker”.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Blade Style:	Needle point dagger, Hollow grind
Blade Type:	1095 High Carbon Steel; Mirror polished
Blade Length:	9 1/4"
Blade Gauge:	3/16" Thick at the Spine
Handle:	5", Black Cotton Micarta
Tang:	Full tang with artistic file work
Overall length:	13 3/4"
Weight:	12 oz
Rockwell:	Oil Hardened to 58-60 HRC

MARKINGS:
Obverse Markings:	CFK logo w/1095 High Carbon
Reverse Markings:	None
Guard / Pommel:	None
Custom File Work:	Custom file art on tang

Sheath: Yes, w/ secure snap strap closure & ferro rod or sharpening rod loop
Material: Buffalo hide
Sheath Notes: The attached straps are for concealed and horizontal carry options

Permalink Reply by Lars Ray on November 20, 2021 at 20:26

Custom Sport Knife

This is my 2019 CFK Custom Sport knife. This general purpose Hunting / Camp knife features a drop point mirror polished blade, jimping grooves on blade spine, custom file work on the tang, Sheep horn scales, Mosaic pins, stainless steel bolsters, and a brass lanyard hole.

I'm not sure what the official blade style is called, but I refer to it as a "harpoon" Bowie.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Blade Style: Drop point
Blade Type: 154CM Stainless, Hollow grind; Mirror polished
Blade Length: 4 5/8"
Blade Gauge: 3/16" Thick at the Spine
Handle: 4 5/8"; Sheep horn, Stainless Steel bolsters, Mosaic pins
Tang: Full Tang
Overall length: 9"
Weight: 8 oz
Rockwell: Hardened to 56-59 HRC

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

MARKINGS:
Obverse Markings: CFK logo w/154CM
Reverse Markings: None
Guard / Pommel: None
Custom File Work: Jimping on spine, Custom file art on tang