Box from Kim R.

[kings6]

This is the latest headed this way from Kim. I asked him the same question I have been asking the gunsmiths on the Quest guns. I said "If you could build anything you want that reflects your tastes, skills and artistry, what would you build?" My only parameters was I wanted the light hunter style and I wanted musk ox horn in the grip. This is what he came up with. Buffalo horn, some "unknown" white material and musk ox. He even went with a slightly thinner blade material in keeping with the light weight idea. It should arrive in the next day or so.

Once again, Kim delivered just what I was wanting and the oldest son has already claimed it for sometime down the road.

[sixshot]

That's a really nice blade Robb, Kim sure makes a nice knife. You need to have him make you a Mule Skinner model! I had him make one for one of my son's, need to get one made up for me.

Dick

[kings6]

Dang Dick, now I have to find out what the Mule Skinner knife looks like!

[rWt]

Kim always delivers a very fine knife--simple, clean designs that seem easy yet elude many knife makers; great blade steels in D2 and CPM S30v; unique and classic handle materials; meticulous blade finishing.

Your sons are fortunate!

[junebug]

I like that a LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KRal]

Apr 16, 2020 10:49:15 GMT -5 sixshot said:

That's a really nice blade Robb, Kim sure makes a nice knife. You need to have him make you a Mule Skinner model! I had him make one for one of my son's, need to get one made up for me.

Dick

Dick, it won’t be too long, I’m encroaching on your name rapidly - be thinking.
Maybe less than three months.

[needsmostuff]

Dang, I just have too KEEP looking at them . I loves the horn.
Which brings me to a bit of a thread drift here.
I made myself a couple of revolver grips from Merino. Took a lot of time fitting them just right but,,,,,,. They cycle like the moon growing and shrinking. Now , about twice a year they fit right . The rest of the time they are too big or too small.
So , Question , Does horn get stabilized first ?
And will the simple DIY at home , cactus juice systems be enough?

[KRal]

Apr 24, 2020 12:19:28 GMT -5 needsmostuff said:

Dang, I just have too KEEP looking at them . I loves the horn.
Which brings me to a bit of a thread drift here.
I made myself a couple of revolver grips from Merino. Took a lot of time fitting them just right but,,,,,,. They cycle like the moon growing and shrinking. Now , about twice a year they fit right . The rest of the time they are too big or too small.
So , Question , Does horn get stabilized first ?
And will the simple DIY at home , cactus juice systems be enough?

Horn needs to be stabilized to keep from going through the “moon phases”. Even then, drastic climate changes can make them grow or shrink, but they do it much less than non-stabilized horn. I’ve never tried the cactus juice, but it’s supposed to be some good stuff.

[needsmostuff]

Thanks for the answer.
Hmmm, seems like I'm gonna have a new branch to my part time hobby , learning how to stabilize.

[kings6]

This one was in Saturday's box from Kim. Full musk ox Slim Hunter.

The little one with giraffe bone was hiding in there too.

[bushog]

I've got a gun that would match that musk ox gripped knife!

Too bad it's stainless....

[kings6]

This is why Musk Ox was picked for this one.

[kings6]

The next box from Kim showed up today and once again he took my challenge and met it head on. I used to own a neat little FA that Roy Fishpaw had done a set of one piece Snake wood grips for. That little gun moved to Oklahoma but the beauty of the Snake wood kept coming back to mind. Luckily I had something Kim was willing to take in exchange for another of his light hunter knives and a smaller version as well. I mentioned that I would like to see if he could find some Snake wood and while he had never used it before he was able to secure some material and once he had it in hand, he did his magic.

I also asked Kim if he could talk to Mike Barranti, who builds Kim's sheaths, and ask him if he would stitch the back belt flat down instead of using a rivet. I understand how a rivet is very secure and relatively quick to install but I just never liked the idea of a metal piece being down in the inside of the sheath of one of Kim's wonderful knives. Mike acquiesced and I think the results is a great upgrade in the looks and construction of the sheath. Mike may hate me know but I sure hope not!

Most of my other knives by Kim have been given to my kids or their spouses so it was nice to get these two pieces of art. A big thank you to both Kim and Mike for being so customer/friend focused!

[jgt]

I really like the mosaic pins. To me they seem elegant. I'm not much of a knife guy but I could be tempted by Kim's knives.

[sal]

I ordered a fillet knife from Kim today w/ironwood grip. Won’t be too long a wait. I hope !