A New Knife Project

Well I have a fascination with Bowies, big camp knives and Kukris. I guess that is no secret. The knife illustrated here is an interesting blade designed by one man and crafted by Michael Rader. Mr. Rader has created some very artistic but NOT art knives over the years. By that I mean his knives have wonderful lines and still remain fully functional. The man who designed this knife also has a good eye for line. The seller admitted to making the handles and adding the ugly yellow paint. The knife is reasonably sharp after what appears to be a well-used life. My project is to strip off the remaining yellow paint and replace the loose handles as well as making a sheath for it.

When I have so many blades already, why go to all of the bother? I guess it is an addiction and an opportunity to play with another blade. I only have one other knife by Michael Rader in my collection and I will feature it next. As this project progresses I’ll keep you updated. Right now I am trying to decide on wood scales for the handles or micarta. I am leaning toward wood. The sheath will definitely be out of leather. Leather is not as indestructible but I think this knife has an old world feel and look that calls out for leather.  

Right now this knife has a terrific balance, with the correct weight-forward, for effortless chopping. Mr. Rader made the blade from about 3/16” stock which will increase its cutting ability versus the 3/8” stock often found in Traditional Indian Kukris.  There is just enough curve to the handle to make it comfortable although it could have been a bit longer and just a little more curved. Luckily I have small hands so it fits me OK. Stay tuned and we’ll see how this knife turns out. Camp knife, fighting knife? Yes it would serve either purpose equally well.

Dad's Knife

Dad's Knife:
This taken is from my website: www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com
Here’s a story about an unlikely knife that went to war. My father was a career officer in the US Army and made three tours to Vietnam. He was often in the very thick of it including hand-to-hand combat. During one assault by the VC he used his M-16 rifle on full auto until it burned out, then he used a picked-up VC rifle as a club until it broke and finally after night fell they got down to fighting H2H with a knife.

Back in 1967 before he went to Vietnam and ended up in that major assault he saw a Schrade “Sharp Finger” hunting knife that I had and asked me if he could have that knife to take with him. Ever since I was a young child he would bring me a knife home from his summer training at Fort Drum, NY so it was my pleasure to give the Schrade to him. After he had been over in Vietnam for a while he wrote to me and asked if I could send him another one. Luckily I had received one as a bonus for subscribing to “Guns and Ammo” so I sent that one along too. In 1993 my father passed away and his new son (my Vietnamese stepbrother) kept most of his belongings.

Fast forward another 18 years to today. Tragically my stepbrother died very unexpectedly and my Dad’s Vietnamese wife asked me if I would like to have the knife back that I had given dad. She returned the Schrade G&A “Sharp Finger” which was one of the knives that Dad actually carried. He also carried a Russell “Yukon Skinner” I sent him on one of his tours. Dad had a strange preference in fighting knives, but one thing I do know, he said “The only thing you ever need to know about knife fighting is to never get into one.” That’s good advice from a man who had been there and done it. Miss you dad.

He retired as a Lt. Colonel with (3) Bronze Stars, Air Medal, VN Cross of Gallantry, Purple Heart, and many other combat awards.