New Custom Knife

Charles S · April 11, 2006, 02:00 PM

I recently received a new custom knife from Mark Goldsworthy of Goldsworthy knives. Mark post on THR under the user name Cousin Jack. I have posted pictures of the knife below.

Let me first state that Mark was a pleasure to do business with and I will purchase from him again. The price I paid for the knife was a bargain for a custom knife.

Mark makes his knives utilizing O1 tool steel which nominally has a Carbon content of around 0.90 according to my references. For your reference O1 tool steal is also utilized by Randall Knives. Mark heat treats his knives to full hardness then double tempers them at 400 degrees which should make the hardness between 60-63 Rockwell.

The specification for the knife Mark made for me were:

Blade length 3.25 to 3.5 inch
Finish a blackened blade
Blade shape, unspecified, but I prefer a knife with a fair amount of belly for skinning and working purposes.
Jimping (sp) in front of the choil (sp?)
I think it improves the handling by allowing one to choke up on the blade for fine skinning work ext.

Handle a sealed para cord wrapped handle
and a kydex sheath. Further I specified a cross draw style sheath.

The knife, I generally use a fixed blade knife when I am camping for cooking chores, for cleaning fish and game, and for general utility to work. While I have had training in Martial Arts and Filipino style knife fighting, knife fight for me would be an absolute last resort. (I can no longer retreat, my gun is empty, I can no longer strike with it, I have no striking tool and I can no longer retreat).

My impression:

The knife is excellent. One cannot truly appreciate how much better a custom knife is than a mass production until one experiences it. The balance is excellent, the fit and finish is excellent. The handle fits me very well. The blade came sharp, but after a day of use I felt the need to sharpen it again. I soon had the knife well past any practical level of sharpness. It is what I term hair popping sharp, in other words the knife does not have to lay against the skin to easily cut hair. The knife seems to retain the edge quite well. I would put edge retention as very, very close to my Dozier D2 knife, but I believe that it is easier to sharpen. I have been very pleased with this knife. I will be happy to answer any questions you have.

Charles

PSE · April 12, 2006, 08:32 AM

it appears that you are his marketing agent. why not list the price paid?

whiskey · April 12, 2006, 07:36 PM

Thank you for the very informative review. Custom knives are usually expensive, in knife terms, but every bit worth the added cost over production knives.

Charles S · April 13, 2006, 04:07 PM

Quote:

it appears that you are his marketing agent.

PSE. If you are implying I am pleased with the knife then you are correct. I would rate the knife as very good.

IF you are implying anything else, then you would be incorrect and would be making an ASSumption on your part.

I paid $150 for the knife. As I indicated in the above post I will be happy to answer any questions.

I am very pleased with the knife and Mark was easy to do business with. I thought I would pass it on for anyone interested in a good custom knife for a reasonable price.

Charles

April 11, 2006, 02:00 PM	#1
Charles S Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2002 Location: North East Texas Posts: 950	New Custom Knife I recently received a new custom knife from Mark Goldsworthy of Goldsworthy knives. Mark post on THR under the user name Cousin Jack. I have posted pictures of the knife below. Let me first state that Mark was a pleasure to do business with and I will purchase from him again. The price I paid for the knife was a bargain for a custom knife. Mark makes his knives utilizing O1 tool steel which nominally has a Carbon content of around 0.90 according to my references. For your reference O1 tool steal is also utilized by Randall Knives. Mark heat treats his knives to full hardness then double tempers them at 400 degrees which should make the hardness between 60-63 Rockwell. The specification for the knife Mark made for me were: Blade length 3.25 to 3.5 inch Finish a blackened blade Blade shape, unspecified, but I prefer a knife with a fair amount of belly for skinning and working purposes. Jimping (sp) in front of the choil (sp?) I think it improves the handling by allowing one to choke up on the blade for fine skinning work ext. Handle a sealed para cord wrapped handle and a kydex sheath. Further I specified a cross draw style sheath. The knife, I generally use a fixed blade knife when I am camping for cooking chores, for cleaning fish and game, and for general utility to work. While I have had training in Martial Arts and Filipino style knife fighting, knife fight for me would be an absolute last resort. (I can no longer retreat, my gun is empty, I can no longer strike with it, I have no striking tool and I can no longer retreat). My impression: The knife is excellent. One cannot truly appreciate how much better a custom knife is than a mass production until one experiences it. The balance is excellent, the fit and finish is excellent. The handle fits me very well. The blade came sharp, but after a day of use I felt the need to sharpen it again. I soon had the knife well past any practical level of sharpness. It is what I term hair popping sharp, in other words the knife does not have to lay against the skin to easily cut hair. The knife seems to retain the edge quite well. I would put edge retention as very, very close to my Dozier D2 knife, but I believe that it is easier to sharpen. I have been very pleased with this knife. I will be happy to answer any questions you have. Charles __________________ "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

April 12, 2006, 07:36 PM	#3
whiskey Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2000 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 431	Thank you for the very informative review. Custom knives are usually expensive, in knife terms, but every bit worth the added cost over production knives. __________________ "So he cocked both his pistols, spit in the dirt and walked out in to the street."

April 12, 2006, 08:32 AM	#2
PSE Junior member Join Date: July 23, 2004 Location: stupids womb, SC Posts: 475	it appears that you are his marketing agent. why not list the price paid?