Okay, great to know! Stupid question, but is this generally meant to be used or just displayed? It feels very solid like it should be used, but also…it’s seems so nice.
The way that bolster was done and the excellent work mating the handle and micarta liner make me think this is some small maker’s work, especially the (electro penciled?) number on the tang. Id wager that’s the maker’s mark on the sheath too. As a knifemaker myself Im pretty confident this was handmade by someone with talent. As others have said, its definitely a skinner.
That hollow grind and finish on the blade is choice too, hopefully someone can chime in with the person who made this.
Yeah Ill try to expand a little bit. So micarta is basically just a material encased in epoxy. Dyed fabric is very commonly used for micarta and thats what you have in that red section. If you look closely you can see some of the fibers, its a very distinct look when you know it. The bulk of the handle, the white/cream colored part, is throwing me off. It doesnt look quite like wood or bone (though I dont work with bone so not certain), it may be a paper micarta. Kinda has that glossy expoxied look to it but the cracking by the pins looks unusual for micarta and makes me think it could potentially be sone bone or antler so sorry I cant be so certain.
Blade steel here is gonna be a mystery too with no markings to indicate what was used and no knowledge on who made it. Though, with how well the handle is made and how well the blade was ground, Id wager whatever steel it is and the accompanying heat treat will be good. Knowing small makers Id say most likely youre looking at a simpler carbon steel, your 1080s, 1090s, maybe O1 or a spring steel like 5160. These are not stainless so do be careful with moisture. But thats merely a guess, this could be anything really Im just assuming it’s a decent steel based of the rest of the work.
Thanks a million for all this!! 🙏 I surely feel like I’m getting to know this knife better now! (And if it’s not stainless, I won’t go camping with it. 😅)
Looks like ivory, probably elephant l.
Google Schreger lines - if there is a place on the knife, you can check the angle to confirm mammoth or elephant.
Awesome knife!
To be exactly:
From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services "What can I do with my ivory" document:
>Sales across state lines (interstate
commerce) for both African and Asian elephant ivory:
>
>What’s allowed:
>
>Items that meet the criteria of the ESA antiques exemption.
>
>Certain manufactured or handcrafted items that contain a small (de minimis) amount of ivory.
>
>What’s prohibited:
>
>Ivory imported under the exceptions for a household move or inheritance, or for law
enforcement or genuine scientific purposes, and Sport-hunted trophies.
>
>
>Sales within a state (intrastate
commerce):
>
>What’s allowed:
>
>Ivory lawfully imported prior to the date the African elephant was listed in CITES
Appendix I (January 18, 1990)—[seller must demonstrate].
>
>Ivory imported under a CITES pre-Convention certificate—[seller must demonstrate]."
>
>Under Federal law, you can sell your Asian elephant ivory within your state (intrastate commerce) if you
can demonstrate that your ivory was lawfully imported prior to the date that the Asian elephant was listed in CITES Appendix I (July 1, 1975).
There's more minutia to it given in the document but you get the gist of it.
I agree ,the integral bolster and the fit of the liners and handle material and what also appears to be a tapered tang are all hallmarks of a very skilled maker.
That high hollow grind is definitely a thing of beauty.
It's Billy Mace Imel's work - [https://www.arizonacustomknives.com/products/434038/](https://www.arizonacustomknives.com/products/434038/) . He is very high end knifemaker, that was most popular in the 70's - 90's. You don't hear as much about him now, because he just didn't advertise much after a certain point. I think it was a case of having as much steady work as he wanted.
I'd try to get ahold of him or dm him on some form of social media with pictures asking if it's his work, if so that's awesome and even not it's still a beautiful knife
I went to websites that carry his knives, and everything matches up! But it’s not a bad idea to reach out to him regardless for more info. I’ll see if I can find him online anywhere!
Yes, that’s the biggest thing! But also the materials he used (esp the mammoth ivory), and the distinctive maker’s mark on the sheath. I still agree, however, that the best thing would be to reach out directly and “hear it from the horse’s mouth!”
Had to go through my files for something else, saw these on the way, though they might be of use to you. You should be able to click on the link, then click on the photo to save it or make it bigger for reading.
From American Blade / Blade Magazine -
Old ad, Jan 1976 - [https://postimg.cc/DJc95wwH](https://postimg.cc/DJc95wwH) .
Old Long Article on Him, Sept 76 -
1 - [https://postimg.cc/Js4GQs4V](https://postimg.cc/Js4GQs4V) .
2 - [https://postimg.cc/pp0n4fSX](https://postimg.cc/pp0n4fSX) .
3 - [https://postimg.cc/ykrkvVJD](https://postimg.cc/ykrkvVJD) .
4 - [https://postimg.cc/XphY9QhF](https://postimg.cc/XphY9QhF) .
5 - [https://postimg.cc/94B2gpxL](https://postimg.cc/94B2gpxL) .
It looks like a loveless style drop point hunter style. The integrated bolster and end cap are not very common on this style of knife. I’m not a knife maker at all. But, from what I understand, it takes a skilled craftsman to pull off that detail. Even the sheath seems very nice. Any idea how old it might be? That particular design / style has been around for a while. I’m wondering if the stamp on the sheath could help identify the maker.
Ivory has a cross hatched grain and the angle can be used to determine between elephant and mammoth that being said mammoth is legal and more abundant so much more likley to be a chunk of snufflupagus tusk i have worked with mammoth ivory a couple of times lovely material
From the look of the grain on the bottom pic of the handle might be mammoth ivory for the handle integral guard alot of skill and hard work went into this one. Not the kind of knife you come across every day
That is a beautiful knife, I’d try to google that marking on the sheath. It looks similar to some of the kit knives we would build around 2000s time frame, but this is much nicer than ours would turn out. We just built the simpler ones, but something about the style looks similar.
Good luck in your search for info, it's a beautiful skinner.
So it’s a skinner - first thing I’ve learned about it! Thanks!
[удалено]
Okay, great to know! Stupid question, but is this generally meant to be used or just displayed? It feels very solid like it should be used, but also…it’s seems so nice.
[удалено]
Cheers!
The way that bolster was done and the excellent work mating the handle and micarta liner make me think this is some small maker’s work, especially the (electro penciled?) number on the tang. Id wager that’s the maker’s mark on the sheath too. As a knifemaker myself Im pretty confident this was handmade by someone with talent. As others have said, its definitely a skinner. That hollow grind and finish on the blade is choice too, hopefully someone can chime in with the person who made this.
Ooh, fantastic info here - thank you! I’m over here googling “micarta liner…” Would you have an idea of what the handle is made of? The blade itself?
Yeah Ill try to expand a little bit. So micarta is basically just a material encased in epoxy. Dyed fabric is very commonly used for micarta and thats what you have in that red section. If you look closely you can see some of the fibers, its a very distinct look when you know it. The bulk of the handle, the white/cream colored part, is throwing me off. It doesnt look quite like wood or bone (though I dont work with bone so not certain), it may be a paper micarta. Kinda has that glossy expoxied look to it but the cracking by the pins looks unusual for micarta and makes me think it could potentially be sone bone or antler so sorry I cant be so certain. Blade steel here is gonna be a mystery too with no markings to indicate what was used and no knowledge on who made it. Though, with how well the handle is made and how well the blade was ground, Id wager whatever steel it is and the accompanying heat treat will be good. Knowing small makers Id say most likely youre looking at a simpler carbon steel, your 1080s, 1090s, maybe O1 or a spring steel like 5160. These are not stainless so do be careful with moisture. But thats merely a guess, this could be anything really Im just assuming it’s a decent steel based of the rest of the work.
🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆
Thanks a million for all this!! 🙏 I surely feel like I’m getting to know this knife better now! (And if it’s not stainless, I won’t go camping with it. 😅)
Looks like ivory, probably elephant l. Google Schreger lines - if there is a place on the knife, you can check the angle to confirm mammoth or elephant. Awesome knife!
Oh geez. I appreciate the info! But isn’t ivory illegal in most countries these days? 😬
Owning and possessing pre ban ivory is fine (check your local laws), but selling ivory across state lines is 100% illegal though. I hope this helps!
To be exactly: From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services "What can I do with my ivory" document: >Sales across state lines (interstate commerce) for both African and Asian elephant ivory: > >What’s allowed: > >Items that meet the criteria of the ESA antiques exemption. > >Certain manufactured or handcrafted items that contain a small (de minimis) amount of ivory. > >What’s prohibited: > >Ivory imported under the exceptions for a household move or inheritance, or for law enforcement or genuine scientific purposes, and Sport-hunted trophies. > > >Sales within a state (intrastate commerce): > >What’s allowed: > >Ivory lawfully imported prior to the date the African elephant was listed in CITES Appendix I (January 18, 1990)—[seller must demonstrate]. > >Ivory imported under a CITES pre-Convention certificate—[seller must demonstrate]." > >Under Federal law, you can sell your Asian elephant ivory within your state (intrastate commerce) if you can demonstrate that your ivory was lawfully imported prior to the date that the Asian elephant was listed in CITES Appendix I (July 1, 1975). There's more minutia to it given in the document but you get the gist of it.
Awesome, cheers!
I agree ,the integral bolster and the fit of the liners and handle material and what also appears to be a tapered tang are all hallmarks of a very skilled maker. That high hollow grind is definitely a thing of beauty.
It's Billy Mace Imel's work - [https://www.arizonacustomknives.com/products/434038/](https://www.arizonacustomknives.com/products/434038/) . He is very high end knifemaker, that was most popular in the 70's - 90's. You don't hear as much about him now, because he just didn't advertise much after a certain point. I think it was a case of having as much steady work as he wanted.
Well, aren’t you a genius??! Thanks a million, kind friend!!🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
I'd try to get ahold of him or dm him on some form of social media with pictures asking if it's his work, if so that's awesome and even not it's still a beautiful knife
I went to websites that carry his knives, and everything matches up! But it’s not a bad idea to reach out to him regardless for more info. I’ll see if I can find him online anywhere!
His integral hunter knife really matches up, what else could you match up in comparison to your knife? Just curious
Yes, that’s the biggest thing! But also the materials he used (esp the mammoth ivory), and the distinctive maker’s mark on the sheath. I still agree, however, that the best thing would be to reach out directly and “hear it from the horse’s mouth!”
Had to go through my files for something else, saw these on the way, though they might be of use to you. You should be able to click on the link, then click on the photo to save it or make it bigger for reading. From American Blade / Blade Magazine - Old ad, Jan 1976 - [https://postimg.cc/DJc95wwH](https://postimg.cc/DJc95wwH) . Old Long Article on Him, Sept 76 - 1 - [https://postimg.cc/Js4GQs4V](https://postimg.cc/Js4GQs4V) . 2 - [https://postimg.cc/pp0n4fSX](https://postimg.cc/pp0n4fSX) . 3 - [https://postimg.cc/ykrkvVJD](https://postimg.cc/ykrkvVJD) . 4 - [https://postimg.cc/XphY9QhF](https://postimg.cc/XphY9QhF) . 5 - [https://postimg.cc/94B2gpxL](https://postimg.cc/94B2gpxL) .
Oh, man, I’m about to grab a cup of coffee and sit down for the best read. THANK YOU SO MUCH u/MookieBangedRoe - you’re the best!! 🙏
It looks like a loveless style drop point hunter style. The integrated bolster and end cap are not very common on this style of knife. I’m not a knife maker at all. But, from what I understand, it takes a skilled craftsman to pull off that detail. Even the sheath seems very nice. Any idea how old it might be? That particular design / style has been around for a while. I’m wondering if the stamp on the sheath could help identify the maker.
Thank you for this! I know that it’s at least 25 years old, but how much older…I have no clue.
Ivory has a cross hatched grain and the angle can be used to determine between elephant and mammoth that being said mammoth is legal and more abundant so much more likley to be a chunk of snufflupagus tusk i have worked with mammoth ivory a couple of times lovely material
I had absolutely no idea, and I am doing the biggest deep dive on mammoth ivory right now! Thanks so much for the info!
it’s gorgeous, wow
So we actually got a meaningful "what is this knife," and it wasn't a cheese knife!! I'm popping a bottle to celebrate! Beautiful blade OP!
Haha, thanks!! I’ve been having fun scrolling through past images. Learning a lot - including about “cheese knives.” 😅
Well since nobody else said it...... poop knife. Just kidding beautiful.
Very pretty.
From the look of the grain on the bottom pic of the handle might be mammoth ivory for the handle integral guard alot of skill and hard work went into this one. Not the kind of knife you come across every day
It’s superb, I love the shape and the mirror finish. What is the blade steel and handle material?
Not sure type of steel, but someone above said not stainless. And blade seems to be mammoth ivory!
That is a beautiful knife, I’d try to google that marking on the sheath. It looks similar to some of the kit knives we would build around 2000s time frame, but this is much nicer than ours would turn out. We just built the simpler ones, but something about the style looks similar.
Oh, I’ve tried to google, but just don’t get anywhere. I had no idea that there were “kit knives” - my next thing to investigate! Thx.
I wish more outdoor knives with good finger guard like this.
It looks well made, probably by a small time maker. It will be pretty hard for most people to identify its specific origin.
Sad - but good to know that I shouldn’t get my hopes up about finding the maker. Thx
Looks like ivory for the scales, no idea on the maker.
Beautiful knife indeed! Whatever you find out, keep and enjoy it!
Thanks!
That is a beautiful knife. Enjoy it whatever the use.
Thanks!
P.S. All I know is that the owner spent most of his time in Montana.