Dennis,

Another stunner! That satin blade shows off the beauty of the wood like crazy! CTS has a great reputation and a good many high end knife makers appreciate it

I think some nice Hawaiian Koa is in order for next Saturday!!

Been a helluva week here.  Figured I would post this before I get too deep in the hole that it becomes impossible to get out!  Anyway ...

There are a few woods that exhibit a chatoyancy that is nigh on impossible to capture in a plain ole  two dimensional photograph.  Hawaiian curly koa is one of them!  Here is one of Alan Davis’ liner locks with some beautiful koa that needs to be seen in hand to really appreciate its beauty.  The Alabama Damascus blade is 3.25” with a pattern that reminds me a little of van Gogh’s The Starry Night painting.  The shape of the handle is so nicely contoured that it feels super nice in hand.  This one often finds its way clipped inside my pocket!!

*Note:  This one is no longer with me in my collection.

It's Saturday already and time for a showing.  I am normally not a huge fan of man-made materials and much prefer woods, bone and ivory to adorn the handles of my knives.  There are, however, times when I make exceptions.  This is one of them.  This is the first and only multi-use (for lack of a better term) folder that Alan has made.  It is a small folder (closed length is just under 3.25”).  The scales are (now, hard to come by) Blacksite carbon fiber.  The nitre blued Rob Calcinore Damascus blade is 2.3125” and the back spacer is file worked, double anodized and incorporates a bottle opener at the butt of the knife.  All in all, a really unique and attention getting folder!

Dennis,

seems I wake up on Saturdays thinking....Dennis is gonna post a knife!  This recent is unique in many ways.  You know I like my wood but OMG the Carbon fiber on this one is anything but boring!  Not quite sure how I would feel with that bottle opener in my pocket but could always put it in a pouch :)

To be perfectly honest Jan, this little knife is more for show than carry!  But when it does find its way into my pocket, it is in a small pocket sheath!

(Note:  This knife has a new home!)

Time for another Davis in a unique wood.  More than unique (I would say rare), as I have rarely seen it used for knife handles.  The wood is Australian gimlet burl.  The burl of gimlet usually contains many more voids than found in other burls.  The wood is often used for decorative bowls, where the voids are left unfilled, or filled with various resins.  In this case, the voids were filled with a blue-turquoise resin, which gives it a very different look.  I normally don’t prefer flippers, but couldn’t pass this one up.  Not only that, but the blade is larger than I normally like.  But, again, it was all about the wood!  Blade is CPM-4V and is 3.6625” from tip to frame.  Hope you like.  Must be 5pm somewhere … time for a drink.  Perhaps a gimlet (for those old enough to remember them!!!).

That is delightful Dennis I am not usually a fan of those resin and wood handles but this one is very nice .

I love the blue liners , and the backspring is a great contrast thanks for sharing it .

[Update: This one has been sold.]

This is the first of two knives that I had Alan custom make just for me.  I have absolutely no artistic ability and it is very difficult for me to visualize what I might like.  I need to see something, before it registers in my brain.  I bought my first Alan Davis knife in January of 2013 (look for that one next Saturday!).  I was SO pleased with it that the same month, I asked Alan to make a folder just for me.  Biggest problem was to describe what I might like!  I told him that the only thing I knew for sure was that I would like it to have giraffe bone scales … which contained darks and lights, silver twill carbon fiber bolsters, and a Del Ealy Damascus blade in his fish pattern.  I then went on to tell Alan that, to be honest, I would rather the blade be in some of Randy Haas’ (HHH) feather Damascus … but that stuff was so darn hard to come by.  Alan told me that he just happened to have a billet of Randy’s feather Damascus that he was saving for himself, but would gladly use it on my knife!!!  I certainly couldn’t turn that offer down.  I told him to go for it and build the knife and that I didn’t want to see any pics of it.  I wanted to be surprised when I opened the package.  Seven months later, it arrived.  Couldn’t have been more pleased.  It had the nicely colored giraffe bone scales I asked for, silver twill bolsters and a beautifully patterned, 3.5 inch feather Damascus blade.  Alan also added a synthetic sapphire thumb stud to accent the blue anodizing on the liners/clip.  I was so happy with the knife, I placed another order with him.  Of course, Alan’s work was starting to get so popular that the second knife took 2 years to complete!!  Hope you like it.

OH DENNIS!

Camel bone and HHH feather damascus!  Now Randy Jr makes some of the most amazing damascus patterns I have ever seen but no one touches his feathers.  If this one ever needs a home you just let me know

and I have decided that gimlet looks like blue lava in that stunning beauty!

Thanks Jan.  I like (actually love) both of those knives .... but could admire that feather Damascus blade all day long!!  Really glad that Alan parted with that billet to make this knife for me.

While I had seen some of Alan’s work in early 2012, I decided to buy my first one in late 2012.  While I normally prefer liner lock knives over frame locks, I just loved the colors on this one.  Alan made this one when he was big into doing knives in a rattlesnake motif.  As with most of Alan’s frame locks, Alan hand carves titanium slabs for the handle material.  For this knife, he gave the entire frame a double anodizing with copper and blue colors.  The 3.25 inch blade is made from Admiral Steel’s random pattern Damascus and incorporates a large opening hole.  The spine of the blade is polished and file worked to look like a rattlesnake!  The hand carved pocket clip also takes the shape of a rattlesnake.  It’s a really neat knife that is thin enough for very comfortable back pocket carry. I only have 3 other frame locks he made and like them equally well.  

*Note: This one is no longer with me in my collection.

I am looking forward to Saturday's now to see what knife Dennis show's us next !

Thanks John.  I'll try to pick out something neat for next Saturday.  That's the hard part ... since I love all of the 57 Davis knives I now have!!  

I also look forward to the weekend and the Dennis Hibar posting!  Finding out you have 57 means a year of wonderful!!

I think his earlier wook was a little busier than his current work.  That makes sense because when you are coming on to the scene as a maker you do what will stand out and yet still be what the buyers are looking for.  This one would certainly stand out and it does make a statement about Mr. Davis.  It says I am here and my knives will make you drool LOL

Here’s a little one for all you wood lovers (like myself!!).  This little gent’s folder is simple in design, but the wood makes it anything but!   If you have never seen this wood before, don’t worry … you are probably not alone.  The wood is Afzelia Xylay and grows in countries in Southeast Asia.  It is not only rare, but highly sought after for its unique lace pattern that takes on a well-defined 3-dimensional appearance resembling tunnels you might see in an ant colony or perhaps veins in someone's arm.  The sheepsfoot blade on this one is from some random pattern Alabama Damascus and is 2.625” in length. 

It's Saturday and another cool knife from Dennis !!

I love that wood , I have seen someone else use it recently though I doubt it was as well done . I am getting to really like the blue liners they really add something , just a beautiful knife !!

Thanks John.  Yes, Alan loves the color blue!!!   While not my favorite color ... I would never turn my nose up at it!!! This wood, like a few others, is one that you really need to see in person to fully appreciate.  Hard to capture the  3-D chatoyancy in a picture.

Yes Dennis that is the problem with some woods it is hard to photograph them and get the subtlety out . My photographic skills are limited and my camera is quite basic , but you do take a pretty good photo though .

What an awesome looking knife! I am wood lover too and can appreciate the wood on this knife. I have never heard of this wood, but I am sure glad you shared it with us. I would love to see it in person someday. 

WOW...talk about an amazing array of knives!  The detail is amazing and I really love the pocket clips chosen as they complement each knife so well.

Glad everyone is liking this one ..... Alan has made only a few using this wood (because it's not as easy to come by).  When he listed this one for sale, I didn't hesitate a nanosecond in buying it!  Next week .... maybe some Mammoth ivory.

The wood on this one is exceptional!  I am also enjoying the fact that he does not just slap a pocket clip on but he creates one that follow the lines and beauty of the materials he used on the knife!  Another fantastic knife!!

Terribly busy week here getting ready for fall.  Spent the week tearing down my gardens, bagging up yard waste and hauling brush I've been collecting since spring to the curb for pick-up.  Work is all done and I'm tired ... but not too tired to forget that today is Saturday and time to share another knife from Alan Davis!

Today’s showing is a really eye-catching piece that I picked up from Alan about a year ago.  To the best of my recollection, this is the first piece Alan made using cross-cut Mammoth ivory for handle material (I also bought the second knife he made with it … but will save that one for another Saturday!!).  The pattern in the ivory is almost identical on each scale, which adds to the beauty of the knife. For the blade, Alan chose some of Rob Thomas’ Damascus in his reptilian pattern.  Overall length on the blade is just under 3 inches.  The bolsters are also Damascus, but from Bob Eggerling.  Back spacer has some of Alan’s beautiful file work and texturing.  This makes for a great conversation piece and is sized perfectly to slip into a small pouch for pocket carry.  Oh ... if I haven't mentioned this before, every knife Alan creates, he make totally by hand. 

I have a true love for cross cut and from your posts I know Mr Davis is only using the best out there.  The pattern from the center out is perfectly placed on this one !

Thanks Jan.  This is definitely a knife I could admire all day long.  My only regret is that it will, most likely, remain a collectable and never see any use!  On the bright side, I have many other knives that get plenty of pocket time.  Next Saturday ... back to some wood!

Very nice knives you've got there.. He really looks to be a great knife maker..

It's Saturday ... and here is a very nice design by Alan I picked up last June.  Actually, it is the third knife in a similar design that Alan made.  Fortunately, I own all three!  While they share similarities, each has differences in blade lengths and materials used in crafting the knives.  This one features some beautiful Australian hardwood … York Gum (part of the eucalyptus family).  I find the color and subtle figuring in the wood to be very pleasant to look at, while the handle shape makes it especially nice to hold.  The blade is 2.875” and made from Devin Thomas Damascus, in his spirograph pattern.  Enjoy!

Killer knife again Dennis ! 

What beautiful wood that is I bet you can just look at that for a long time . It does look like a nicely shaped handle as well . I am sure a knife like that will not get any heavy use but it certainly looks as if it would be very usable .

It does look like it would be a great pocket friendly knife.  Looks alot like POD wood without the voids in the wood!

(Update 6-16/17:  This one has been gifted)

Here is a dyed box elder folder that sees a lot of pocket time.  Box elder is a great wood in that it can vary so much in appearance and is highly suitable for dyeing.  The figuring and color in this one almost makes it look like some buckeye burl.  This is a somewhat thin gent’s folder with a Rob Calcinore Damascus blade (a mere half inch wide at the ricasso) that is 3 inches in length.  Rob is a master at forging multi-bar Damascus.  His patterns are so uniform that the blade on this one was the first thing I noticed and the prime reason I bought the knife back in 2014.  The pattern on this one is his Turkish Checkerboard design (the Turkish bar consists of 1095 and nickel and the Checkerboard bar consists of 01, 1080 and nickel).  If you look closely at the last picture group, you will see how uniform the pattern is.  It literally mirrors itself on both sides of the blade, folding very nicely over the spine.  Alan did a wonderful job sizing and grinding the blade to accentuate the symmetry in the Damascus pattern.

I have to admit, this is one of the few makers I have seen be sure to roll that edge to maximize the view of such an outstanding damascus!  Box elder is an amazing wood for knife making, it dyes very well and shows off that figure just beautifully.  I tend to like the earth tone colors in the dyes so this green shouts LOVELY, to me

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am not a huge fan of frame locks.  That said, I do have a few of Alan’s and always enjoy to add something different or something that is a first of its kind coming out of Alan’s shop.  This one hit the mark on both counts.  I picked it up in 2013 and it is the first knife that Alan made with a full Timascus frame.  I believe he has only made 1 other since.  The blade is a little larger than I normally like, measuring in at 3.375 inches … but I really loved the overall look of the knife.  Blade is some of Chad Nichols’ Damascus in his Frenzy pattern that Alan gave a somewhat distressed look to better blend with the characteristics of the Timascus.  Overall, a very unique knife.

Also not a frame lock person but this one would have snagged me too!

Here is an absolutely beautiful (IMO) Mammoth bark folder that I was very lucky to acquire in March of 2016.  Actually, Alan felt sorry for me, so I equate this with a pity sale.  Three times in a row, I claimed a knife that Alan listed, only to be beaten to the punch by someone else. When his knives come up for sale, they rarely last more than a few minutes or so!!   Oh well, the hunt is just as exciting as the score.  Anyway, feeling sorry for me, Alan told me he had a couple knives he completed that were sitting in his safe because he couldn’t decide if he wanted to keep them for himself or sell them.  He sent me pictures of both and told me that if one interested me, he would let it go.  When I saw this beauty … the wallet opened right up!  It sports some of the nicest dark blue/black Mammoth bark I’ve ever seen.  Handle shape and overall size is perfect.  Blade is a hair over 3 inches of Chad Nichols’ Iguana pattern Damascus.  Alan chose some of Tony Metsala’s Damascus for the bolsters and adorned the spine with some wonderful file work on back spacer.  It also features a hand-sculpted thumb stud in a rather unique mushroom shape.

Quite magnificent Dennis !!

Thanks John.  The other one he showed me was equally magnificent.  It was easy to see why he couldn't decided whether to keep for himself or sell!  

Just spectacular!

Thanks Jan .... if you like desert ironwood .... check back next Saturday!!!!

Today, decided to go with some wood.  This one sports some really attractive desert ironwood.  Picked this one up from Alan in early 2014 and began to have a love/hate relationship with it in 2015.  Really like ironwood, but one of the problems is that it is rarely stabilized, due to the hardness of the wood.  Normally, that is not a problem.  This one, however, gave me fits.  But first, the stats.  The blade is some of Delbert Ealy’s Damascus in his serpent pattern.  Blade length is 3.375”.  The blue anodizing and file-worked liners made this one a pretty snazzy EDC knife.  And ….. I loved the beautiful ironwood.  This is what the knife looked like when I bought it.

Now … in 2015, I noticed a spit in the ironwood on the presentation side near the thumb stud notch.  Must have been deep in the wood and not visible when Alan was shaping that side.  Alan asked me to send it back to him and he filled with some high quality CA  adhesive.  Got it back and could not even see where the spit was.  Beautiful repair job.  After about 6 months … that blasted split reopened.  What to do now?  I discussed it with Alan and asked him to just cut the scales and add bolsters.  While I hated to lose any of that ironwood, was not sure another repair would hold.  Told him to use his best judgement and select bolster material that he thought would look good with the ironwood.  He chose some Thunderstorm Kevlar and boy did it look great!!!!  Here is what the knife looks like now …. and, I must say, prefer it like this!!!

*Note:  This one has a new home and is no longer in the collection.

Here is a little gent’s folder that demonstrates why I consider Alan Davis to be a true “custom” knifemaker.  I believe I’ve mentioned before that Alan doesn’t make knives in a handful of patterns and then dress them differently.  Each one he makes is  pretty much a one of a kind custom knife.  Case in point is this little beauty.  No particular pattern … just a quick sketch before starting the knife.  Alan made a few tweaks here and there as he was completing the knife, but the major change came only after he had finished it.  The blade is some of Del Ealy’s Lion pattern Damascus and is 2.625” in length.  He chose some pale red M3 composite for the bolsters to highlight the bright red synthetic ruby in the thumb stud.  He went with a blue theme for the liners and back spacer … which is twist pattern Damascus that Alan nitre blued and sports some chevron firework.  Now the scales …. here is where the final change came into play … are Mammoth ivory.  Originally, the scales, when polished, were smooth, dark, caramel colored ivory.  As he examined the completed knife, he thought it looked too plain.  So, he removed the scales and jigged them.  Boy … did that add a dramatic touch to the knife!  Hope you like it …. I do!!

Another star there Dennis .

I managed to miss last week's fabulous offering though I don't know how as I look forward to seeing these knives . Oh I remember now , I was visiting an old relative of Sue's and he's not in the best of health to say the least . Must have taken my eye off the ball ! 

Anyway last weeks knife in Ironwood was a real beaut , I guess those curly grained woods are going to be prone to splitting but it is a great shame though . Good rescue job all the same !!

Thanks John ... truth be told, if I didn't have my computer set up to give me a notification every Saturday morning ... I must forget to post a new one!!! 

(Update:  This knife has been sold)

Here is a neat Davis.  Well, only because it is the first he made with this combination of materials … which is why I had to have it!   Well, that and the fact that I knew my daughter would like it.  The handle material is copper shred carbon fiber.  Eric Ochs came up with the term shred carbon fiber and helped develop it with Composite Craft a couple years ago.  Alan immediately bought some of the copper shred and started his magic.  In this example, copper dust is infused in the shredded carbon fiber as it is transformed into sheets.  The blade is from Stellite 6K, measures in at 3.25” and is stonewashed.  It’s full flat grind make it an exceptional slicer!  The rust color anodizing on the liners and clip really go well with the copper shred.  I think most girls like glittery things and my daughter fell in love with this one (but thought it was a little too large for her!!!).

I am running out of superlatives now Dennis !!

That Stellite is interesting stuff , just looked it up , I hadn't heard of it before . They say it is extremely salt tolerant but I guess you won't be taking that knife sea fishing ?  

Thanks John.  This is the second knife I've owned with a Stellite blade.  Extremely corrosion resistant but a bear (in my opinion) to sharpen!  Very difficult to get rid of the burr ... just keeps flopping from one side to the other!  I have found that Stellite blades are excellent for slicing ... but tend to roll and edge with any type of serious chopping and such.

That's just what the site I checked out said , it sounds interesting stuff but it could be too difficult for me .

(Note: This knife has a new home!)

Here’s another Davis that has a unique look to it.  This one is a slender knife that used to see a good deal of back pocket time.  Scales are Thunderstorm Kevlar (which has some similarities to lightning strike carbon fiber ... but I like it far better).  Blade is 3 inches and made from some of Chad Nichols’ Hailstorm pattern Damascus.  While I much prefer natural materials for scales … the look of this Kevlar really appealed to me.

Now …. if you haven’s seen my post in the Member News and Announcements forum …. you ought to.  You won’t want to miss it …. nor will you want to miss my Alan Davis blog posting next Saturday, November 19th!!!!!

Very nice knife indeed  !

As always.