Scout Fighter {O1 and Tapered tang}

[srtben]

Due to all the peer pressure to do tapered tangs!!   :D  
I give you the "Scout Fighter". This is the second tapered tang I have done, but definitely more severely tapered.
It is also the first knife I have done in O1. The handle is green micarta with red liners, and stainless pins.
The OAL is 9.5", with a 4.75" blade of .250" O1.

Let me know what you guys honestly think, this is a new direction for me.
My stamp was a bit deep, this I know.    :cool:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lin Rhea]

The blade grind removed a lot of material which really lightened it up in the front. If you had not tapered the tang, it would have been noticeably heavier but all in the back. You've held it in your hand and my guess is that you are impressed with the difference yourself. It should balance better and make you WANT to hold it. I like it very much. You have advanced a lot and it will be hard to go back now. That's a good thing. It's such a fine knife,... anyone would be proud to own it.
   

[Ray Hammond]

That's  a nice clean knife Ben!!!!

Maybe you could do a tutorial on how you drill the holes  and keep them going straight thru- some sort of jig?

[Scott Teaschner]

I sure like it sure is clean.

[srtben]

Thanks Lin, of course you are right about the balance it handle quite nicely. I appreciate the kind words!

Ray, check out this link, I posted some pics of a bunch of my jigs a few months ago. My drilling fixture is in there.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=110;t=004161;p=1#000000

[2treks]

That is a fine looking knife.
Nice job Ben,

CTT

[akaboomer]

I agree with the above comments but would add that I like the bolder stamp for this knife. Well done Ben. I would be proud if I had made it. Your work continues to get better, impressive.

Chris

[Kevin Evans]

Beautiful profile.
I think little groves on top of blade
where your thumb is would make it look even better and give little more control while using.
And even though your handles are contoured alot, even more contouring might make it better.
           

[JMR]

That looks great and I like the bolder stamp too. You have been really cranking out the knives lately. Keep em coming I really like your style.

[GWV]

Looks nice and would be a great companion in the woods or as an edc.  Especially, in a horizontal sheath.

[srtben]

Thanks again guys.

Yeah Kevin, I still need to pick up a checkering file for doing nice even grooves.
Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it.

[amar911]

What Lin and Kevin said. I would add that this is what I consider to be your best knife so far. I am one of the guys who advocated you tapering your tangs, and you have made a huge leap in your product by doing that. I sure don't think the taper is excessive for that knife -- it's just right. You are really headed in the right direction now.

Allan

[srtben]

Thanks for the kind words Allen.

[ron w]

          Beautiful work!!

[Huntinfool7]

Originally posted by ron w:
                 Beautiful work!!

+1

Beautiful work will you be selling knives like it!

I'd probably buy one!

~HF~

[srtben]

Its for sale in the sponsors classifieds.   :D

[DEATHMASTER]

Love the looks of this one. With the groves for where your thumb rest and a cross draw sheath it would be excellent.
If you make one with the updates let me know I would be very interested.
Well done