One of my good clients likes "unusual" stuff. He has an extensive collection of quality items, but every once in a while...

Below is a fixed blade knife designed by Gil Hibben. He is the knife maker that creates the knives for "Star Trek," most notably for the Klingons. And while this knife is in that tradition, it is very heavy, made in striking porportions, and actually useful. In fact, if I was going to camp at Buffalo Chip, this would be the knife I would take. (BTW, it has a very durable, thick and well made leather sheath--quite unusual for the current trend of cheapo ballistic nylon ones tossed in for free.)

If there is some way for you guys to blow this picture back up to its original size, please do so. I polished the edge to over 7000 grit, a mirror finish, and it slices newsprint at a touch. I've had disposable scalpels that were not in this league.

If you look at the Stanley tape, you see that the breadth of the blade blank is wider than most. The blank is also very thick. The two hand-guard hilts are made from solid pieces of stainless steel.

While there are better knives for wilderness camping and hunting, this would make a great all purpose fixed blade for a guy, his bike, a tent and camp-out chores. Go find one in your area.

Tourist,



I have for many years and continue to be a fan of the Applegate fairbairn combat fixed blade. I'm sure you as a knife guy is familiar with and know of the history and development of these two gentlemen and their purpose an intentions of this blade. This knife is a very strong,rouged and tough knife. It's very comfortable in the hand and while wearing it, in fact when wearing it it gives you an overwhelming sense of security. It holds an edge if not misused and it'll " get you out of a pinch " in many aspects of the phrase.



Loud Guns and Sharp Knives Ride...Safe

I've got a WWII era maybe newer bayonet in my camping gear bag that I wear tied to my leg (only) while I'm in the woods, cause it's illegal around people... but I've had mountain lions chase dear though my camp before, I heard the sounds and woke up to the tracks to prove it. A good defensive blade is important out there. While I'm in the confines of society I have a few "pocket" knives i carry depending on where I'm headed and what I'm wearing... the bowie type knives were always my favorites though.

Ever since I was a little kid and watched the "Jim Bowie" TV show I've been in love with the clip point style Bowie knife. Not exactly accurate to the period, in fact, that very knife was made for the movie "The Iron Mistress."

I really haven't been out in the boonies of South Dakota prairie dog shooting since the 1990s. Most of my stuff now is in the "hard use folder" class. I don't need a heavy fixed blade.

Having said that, I wish I could keep this one. But like my wife--my company's bookkeeper--always says, "The knives are for selling to clients, not for personal collecting."

This one is a beast. I wish we were together, sittin' around in a saloon scopin' out women and tellin' a few lies right now. You have to handle this Bowie for yourself.

Plus one on the bowie knifes since i was a kid also.
love the edge on that sucker, beautiful bro.

Sorry I haven't responded lately--to anything. My computer crashed for two days, I just got it repaired.

you didn't try to fix it with that knife did ya..

Not as the man I am today--but there was a time...

I had to pay The Geeks 180 bucks to un-SNAFU my lap-top. Oh, I just sold a knife and wet down a waterstone to work off the invoice. It's just the idea. The Geek even checked for a virus and found none, even with his most complex troubeshooting software. It literally was just a cyber-fart, even something as simple as a "hard shut down" last year.

I do have my computer triggered to de-frag once per week in the middle of the night. But I have come to the conclusion that computers have become so complex and subject to early obsolescence that periodic tune-ups are required when nothing appears overtly wrong. (Like any bike with a magneto, points, plugs and a condenser.)

I think I did stem the tide. I too have an expensive service to offer. The Geek who made the service call is an amateur foodie...

good to hear you didn't slice and dice the ol' laptop
I'll be willin to bet you wind up makin out on the deal with the geek too

Boy, I hope so. Amateur foodies (that's a civilian hobbyist that prides himself in gormet cooking and professionally modern kitchens) is a factor in my business. And many Morimoto and Hattori kitchen knives are over 2K in price.

And this has already happened. I mentioned the lightning strike to my home. The arborist that came to take down the damaged trees bemoaned the fact that he had to make his own lines and fall-control equipment for his job. He needed a knife with a marlin-spike, an oddball modern feature. I simply handed him a polished Myerchin, which he bought on the spot.

However, he was also a foodie, and he bought a Japanese laminate nakiri. That night when my wife returned she found out how a craftsman can come to our home--but it costs him money. Ahhhh, the wonderful world of the cash/barter system...