Who sells a good head knife?

[Hilly]

I ordered a head knife a while back from Montana Leather, and it was on backorder, so I've decided to look elsewhere. I understand that some head knives do not come sharpened. I want one that DOES come sharp from the box. I figure it's the best way to see what a properly sharpened head knife should feel like.... Anyway, does anyone know where I can get a decent quality head knife without taking out a second mortgage? I feel that anything over say.... $125 would be paying waaaaaay too much, cuz I'm che - I mean thrifty. Also, are skiving knives the same way? Do some come sharp and others don't, because I'm sorta looking for one of those, too.

Thanks,

Hilly

[TracyMoss]

Contact www.panhandleleather.com and ask for Jim Blain Kenney, they have Osborne in stock(Not Sharp!), but they also carry some knives that a local guy builds that are really nice. I think they are around the $125.00 mark, Freddy Hare is the Maker and I have one of his Castrating Knives, that thing can cut about 100 head without getting dull.

[Hilly]

Contact www.panhandleleather.com and ask for Jim Blain Kenney, they have Osborne in stock(Not Sharp!), but they also carry some knives that a local guy builds that are really nice. I think they are around the $125.00 mark, Freddy Hare is the Maker and I have one of his Castrating Knives, that thing can cut about 100 head without getting dull.

Hi Tracy.

I'm not sure how tough cattle scrotums are , so I don't know if 100 head is a good number or not. I'm just a suburban brat from the midwest 'Bout the only cattle I ever see are wrapped in cellophane in the meat dept at my local Walmart Super Store.

I'll see what Jim Blain has to sell.

[Rawhide]

I'll put my vote in for Danny Marlin's head knife. I have the #128 which is a 4 inch head knife. I like it because it fit my hand with no modifications. I can post a picture if you like.

Marlon

[Hilly]

I'll put my vote in for Danny Marlin's head knife. I have the #128 which is a 4 inch head knife. I like it because it fit my hand with no modifications. I can post a picture if you like.

Marlon

Sure, let's see it. I like the idea of a smaller knife. It might be easier to use than a larger one.

Contact info?

Thanks much,

Hilly

[Rawhide]

I'll put my vote in for Danny Marlin's head knife. I have the #128 which is a 4 inch head knife. I like it because it fit my hand with no modifications. I can post a picture if you like.

Marlon

Here you go. I have average sized hands for a male. So these pics will give you an idea of the relative size.

Marlon

[D.A. Kabatoff]

I guess everyone has their favorites, here's mine... these knives are marked Gomph and sold by Ellis Barnes. Not sure who actually made them for him but the steel is unbelievable. I've tried a good number of custom knives by modern makers and haven't seen anything that compares to these... plus they're real pretty!

Darc

[Rawhide]

Those are some pretty knives. What's one of those run today?

Marlon

[D.A. Kabatoff]

Hi Marlon,

I can't remember what I paid for those knives but I think it was around $100 - $140.00 per knife last year. I have another knife that came from Ellis Barnes (photo) that I absolutely love and thought I'd order a set of them before they were no longer available. The ones in the picture are quite different than the first one I got and I actually like them better because the steel is a little thinner. My understanding of the knives was that Ellis had the steel from way back when and he had some fellow making the knives for him. He is no longer making any more of the knives so whatever Ellis has left on hand will probably be the end of the knives.

Darc

[Jordan]

Gomph is a german company I belive with a real good rep for high quality steel