Elmer Keith Knife

[kbaknife]

Well, I am apparently about 1 year back on my knife orders.
A good customer of mine came up to my table last year at the Janesville, Wisconsin, Badger Show with a drawing of an Elmer Keith knife, and asked me if I'd make my rendition of it.
I just got it done, and we're only five days from the next! Badger Show. (Just in time for delivery!)  

It's not a knife for everyone.
In fact, I wasn't sure I even wanted to do it.
At first glance, it looks like a brick with a handle on it.
But, I went ahead and proceeded with the project regardless.

I am amazed that I actually, along the way and right up to this point, acquired a bit of affinity for the knife designed for Elmer Keith by Gil Hibben.

It's actually called the Elmer Keith Skinner.

From Wikipedia:

Elmer Merrifield Keith (March 8, 1899 – February 12, 1984) was an Idaho rancher, firearms enthusiast, and author. Keith was instrumental in the development of the first magnum revolver cartridge, the .357 Magnum, as well as the later .44 Magnum and .41 Magnum cartridges.

Keith was a prolific writer, writing both books and magazine columns. During the 1950s and 1960s, he was especially well known for his regular monthly columns he wrote for Guns & Ammo magazine, and American Rifleman typically exploring the performance of the latest new gun offerings, especially those firing large, heavy bullets pushed to high velocities.

In fact, the Elmer Keith Skinner was given in the 1960s as a premium for a subscription to Guns and Ammo magazine.  :eek:

As I researched this knife, I began to discover that it had/has quite a following and any of the originals are highly sought. And Hibben Knives still, to this day, has this knife as one of the most sold knives from the company.

Do a quick Google search on Elmer Keith Knife and click on IMAGES to see many originals and custom renditions.

As an aside, Elmer Keith, who spent most of his life in Idaho and Utah, had a hunting cabin in the mountains. When they cleared out the cabin after he died, they found an Elmer Keith Knife in the cabin that had seen PLENTY! of use in all of his hunting and outdoor activities.

So, I was asked to build this knife as an Andersen Forge Take-down.
Damascus blade - 1095/15N20.
Hot-blued fittings
and Stabilized figured Walnut.

Not something we see often around here.
I hope you all appreciate my efforts creating my rendition of a cutlery icon:


 

[Idahomike251]

Mr. Andersen,

I think I understand your initial thoughts about the design. I have gently turned down few knife design proposed by customers because I just did not agree with it, but this knife.... more I looked at it, something about it makes me like it. I think you did a great job!

[kbaknife]

It's amazingly comfortable in the hand.
Think I might have to build one for myself!
(Just not sure why!)

[TOEJAMMER]

Karl,

I have one  that Harvey Draper made for me back in the 60"s.  Quite a knife.  Actually, he made two for me but I let one get away.

[Bladepeek]

That's a wild piece of walnut, too. If you let your eyes go "unfocused" a bit, it almost looks like Elmer standing there in the figure. It's not as visually appealing as a slimmer knife, but I'll bet it really does feel like an extension of your hand.

[4est trekker]

I think that's a great looking piece.  I, too, have found that the longer I look at it the more I like it.  It looks like a well-designed tool for stomping through the woods...very stable and safe.  And being a takedown...well, that just makes it cool as all get out!

[tomsm44]

That is an absolutely gorgeous, stupid looking,well designed, ugly knife and I want one.

What are the dimensions?

[kbaknife]

It is overall 9 1/2" with a 5+" blade.

 

Originally posted by tomsm44:
That is an absolutely gorgeous, stupid looking,well designed, ugly knife and I want one.

What are the dimensions?

[kbaknife]

I learned a bit more about the design of this knife.
Imagine holding this knife in your firm grip with the point sticking straight up in the air.
Elmer designed so he could slam the knife downward and using the bolt on the butt end of his design, break/crack the pelvis of elk!!
The front/rear guard protrusions protected his hand from the blows.

[TOEJAMMER]

The other thing in the design, according to Mr. Keith, was to make the front and rear hilt as Karl has done to fit the hand.  When doing the hard work and the fingers cramp up, you can open the hand and flex the fingers without putting the knife down or dropping it.  In his original design, the front top portion of the clip was sharpened but at a thicker angle to allow some working on the joints etc. without chipping or damaging the thinner cutting portion of the blade.

[mtnman1945]

To me the design is all about function from grip to tip and the grip is not just something to hold onto. Not only is the blade functional with little chance of breakage the grip can also be used as a tool plus the short stocky blade screams leverage from the users body to the blade. Just my impression I am not a Bladesmith I am a wood carver that uses many different styles of blades to complete a project. I am so impressed by this blade it is very hard not to be very fond of this blade.

[Panhead Johnson]

Very cool knife. Slightly off topic, but only slightly- Elmer Keith wrote a book entitled "Hell, I was I There". I aquired when I was quite young. I have read it many times. It is a wonderful book, for those of you who enjoy reading. Again, I really like the knife.

[kbaknife]

I have always threatened to read that book, so I guess I had better do it now.

(I'm going to meet Gil Hibben on Friday!)    :eek:  


 

Originally posted by Panhead Johnson:
Very cool knife. Slightly off topic, but only slightly- Elmer Keith wrote a book entitled "Hell, I was I There". I aquired when I was quite young. I have read it many times. It is a wonderful book, for those of you who enjoy reading. Again, I really like the knife.

[Ric O'Shay]

Elmer was quite a character. With this knife as with him, form followed function.

[DGW]

Elmer was the real deal!  I have the book and had started reading it again about a month ago.
 I like the looks of your knife!

[Suty]

Karl, since I own a Smith .41 Mag, this Knife is very sentimental for me. Awesome Job... You continually amaze me with you work and Craftsmanship..... Sutty

[Doug Campbell]

I like it!        

[mj seratt]

I have one of the original G&A Elmer Keith knives.  If I can get my daughter to help(help, nothing.  I mean do it all.), I'll post a picture.

Murray

[kbaknife]

This past weekend when I gave the knife to the guy who wanted me to make it, I also got to meet Gil Hibben - the Cutlery Hall of Fame-r who designed the knife for Elmer.
He said, "Elmer really would have liked that knife".
I thought that was cool.

[South MS Bowhunter]

Did Mr. Keith have any affinity with Owl’s? When I first looked at the wood I saw an Owl with its head slightly turned to the side and the on the opposite side a full face view.  Anyone else, see it?

Beautiful knife Carl!