Blackwood Fighter or could be an Ebony Fighter

[Dave Kelly]

I've had some unmarked blocks of wood for a number of years and I'm not sure if the wood I used for this handle is African Blackwood or Ebony.

In either case it has a:

5 3/4" pattern welded 1084 / 15N20 blade
Wrought iron guard
Antique finished alloy of copper and zinc spacers
Some kind of black wood handle
11" o.a. length

I was thinking about filing a single flute down the center of the larger antiqued spacer and maybe adding a lanyard hole at the rear bottom of the handle, or recess a thong strap or something in the butt of the handle.

Comments, opinions appreciated.

Dave

[RICK LOWE]

That's awfully clean and neat as is. Don't think it needs a thing! Very nice.
Rick

[fitzo]

Great looking knife, Dave! Looks like it will be very comfortable in the hand. Filing a groove in the spacer would be a nice artistic addition, but if you chosse not to the knife certainly won't lose anything. Very nice!

[Osprey Guy]

Hey Dave-

I'm with Fitz...I like the idea of the fluted spacer, but this is such a handsome piece to begin with you could easily go without.

BTW. While I've got you,...the new books have finally arrived here in the States! Once they've cleared customs and I've recieved my shipment I will be sending complimentary copies to many of the book's USA participants...and that includes you! (I'm handling about 1/2 the makers and David is shipping books to the other half). It won't be long now. Pretty exciting, eh?


Dennis Greenbaum

[EdStreet]

the grain looks more like rosewood than ebony.

Ed

[rhrocker]

Great looking knife there David! As far as what to do in the way of futher design, the best person on the forums to ask that question, is you. So go run with it, and either leave it like it is, or do whatever, but you don't need others ideas, I've seen to much of your work (and own some to )

[Raymond Richard]

Dave, Good looking Knife! It looks alot more like ebony than blackwood. If the wood smelled sweet while working on it thats a good sign that its blackwood. Guess I'll be seeing you at Blade...

[Dave Kelly]

Thanks for the comments!

I found out this is Ebony.

That is exciting Dennis! I forgot about the complimentary copy and was a little disappointed about not being able to see it soon since I can't attend the show. It would've been great to finally meet a number of fellow forum members, maybe next year.

Dave

[MtMike]

Another wonderful piece Dave -- each different, yet each has "Kelly" sculpted into it from tip to butt. I wouldn't change a thing; a lanyard hole, for example, would be overkill on such a comfy looking handle.
Really like the antiqued brass spacer

Mike

[Ice Tigre]

Looks good as-is, that grain looks too tight for black wood, from what I've seen of it anyway.

Man you have style!

Gary

[Jason Cutter]

As mentioned on another forums, I love your work. The damascus is great - perfect combination of pattern and tightness of pattern. I reckon it doesn't need anything else. As it is, this is an instantly recognisable Dave Kelly piece. Jason.