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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: awbowman on March 28, 2012, 08:14:00 PM

Title: La Clair Knives
Post by: awbowman on March 28, 2012, 08:14:00 PM
Anyone have one.  I'm leaning towards getting the La Clair Skinner, but willing to listen to suggestions.

Is it easy to sharpen and how does it hold an edge?

Also looking at a couple of others, but am having trouble getting prices from the others.  Ron answered quickly.
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: lpcjon2 on March 28, 2012, 08:16:00 PM
My son has one and you could shave with it,excellent quality.
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: Frenchymanny on March 28, 2012, 08:19:00 PM
Those are great carbon knives, so easy to sharpen
Love my LaClair bowie

(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i144/frenchymanny/IMG_0389.jpg)

Got it at Denton last year

F-Manny
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: Ray Lyon on March 28, 2012, 08:42:00 PM
Ron's knives are top notch.  Ron knows as much about knives as he does bows and archery. He doesn't skimp on designing his knives. I've got the little neck knife and it has a great edge and is very functional.  If I didn't already have a good skinner style blade (one of Ron's previous skinning knives that he gave me for a birthday present), I'd have one of those too.
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: ArkyBob on March 28, 2012, 09:56:00 PM
I bought a skinner last fall for me and one for my son.  Came pretty sharp and finished out really easily.  Very good balance and keeps an edge really nicely.  I would consider it a good value.

BOB
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: adkmountainken on March 28, 2012, 10:04:00 PM
i have a buffalo knife from Ron and LOVE it!!!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/adkmountainken/ground%20hunting/ArtKnifeSheath002.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/adkmountainken/ground%20hunting/ArtKnifeSheath003.jpg)
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: Jason Hansen on March 29, 2012, 07:30:00 AM
My Dad and I have both the LaClair Skinner and the Lil' Shaver knives.  They are well built and worth the money.
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: buckeye_hunter on March 29, 2012, 07:55:00 AM
LIL SHAVER IS AWESOME! Caps Lock intentional. I love mine. It holds a great edge and is wicked sharp.
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: Frenchymanny on March 29, 2012, 08:26:00 AM
Ken, that's a knife!

  :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: awbowman on March 29, 2012, 08:49:00 AM
Thanks for the comments guys.  I'm going to get a skinner.  Simple and functional, I like that!
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: Roger Norris on March 29, 2012, 09:45:00 AM
I must have a dozen of Ron's knives. All top notch quality, all of them perfect for what they are designed for.

My favorite is the huge LaClair Bowie. I use it often....it resides always in my "going out in the woods' kit.
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: Ron LaClair on March 29, 2012, 10:15:00 AM
Thank you all for the good comments. Blacksmith C.L. Matteo has over 30 years of blacksmithing experience and he really know his steel. He and I are always collaborating on new knives and hawks. C.L. likes the challenge of creating tools that he thinks traditional hunters will like. He's currently working on a copy of Squire Boons tomahawk. Squire Boon was Daniel  Boons brother and today his personal tomahawk resides in the Indiana State museum.    http://www.indianamuseum.org/museumcollections/detail.php?t=objects&type=browse&f=object_type&s=pipe-tomahawk&record=4    

Here's C.L.'s latest project, that is similar to our "Longhunter" knife, it's a Spanish Trade Knife reproduction from the early 17th century. This knife evolved from European designs and was carried over to this continent by explorers, soldiers and traders. It was prevalent in the southwester part of the U.S. during the 1775-1815 period.

It has a 8 1/4" blade of 1095 carbon steel and a 4 1/2" buffalo horn handle. As with the vast majority of originals, this knife is thin in blade thickness along the spine....slightly less than 1/8", which gives the blade superior slicing capabilities.

It's probably not seen as practical by today's hunting knife standards but none the less there are some that like to carry and use the style of knives and hawks that were used by early hunters and explorers.

more examples can be seen on the website.     http://www.shrewbows.com/    

      (http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Spanish%20Trade%20Knife.JPG)  

      (http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Spanish.JPG)
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: WESTBROOK on March 29, 2012, 10:44:00 AM
I have the Skinner, its a perfect size knife, fits the hand well!

Also like the Longhunter style.

Eric

(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h121/mandoman_2006/Knives/P8060010.jpg)
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: collofthewild on March 29, 2012, 11:43:00 AM
I am about to order a laclair skinner myself. this post just reassured me that i am getting a sound and respectable product! I never doubt that Ron makes a GREAT product!
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: awbowman on March 29, 2012, 02:18:00 PM
I really like the looks of the skinner.  I have a lot of knives and even some very fine custom jobs, but this thing speaks SKINNING to me.
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: Tater John on March 29, 2012, 07:25:00 PM
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y10/TaterJohn/CIMG2189.jpg)

 (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y10/TaterJohn/CIMG2191.jpg)

I can't bring myself to throw it, its outstanding for cutting pizza!

Rusty
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: longbow guy on March 31, 2012, 09:49:00 PM
I just ordered a lil shaver neck knife. From the comments of everyone, I dont think I can go wrong with one  of rons knives!! Thank you!
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: Hopewell Tom on April 01, 2012, 07:27:00 AM
Tater - beautiful case. You make it?
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: Tater John on April 01, 2012, 10:41:00 AM
I did Tom, thanks.
The blade if I remember correct is a buggy spring and Ron gave me the choice on the scales. i chose moose antler, thats why I don't throw it

Rusty
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: longbow guy on April 10, 2012, 06:24:00 PM
I recieved my Lil Shaver neck knife. (by delated mail) This is an excellent knife Quality and Workmanship  all the way!!!   THANK YOU,  RON LA CLAIR
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: Gen273 on April 10, 2012, 07:17:00 PM
I have had my eye on one of his skinners for a while now; I may just have to order one.
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: ronp on April 10, 2012, 07:42:00 PM
Me too Gen273!
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: awbowman on April 10, 2012, 08:33:00 PM
Once the alligator skin comes from the tannery, it will be sent along with a part of my riser to Ron for creating my knife.  He's graciously agreed to make me a matching knife and Art Vincent will be making me a special sheath
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: Chuck Janssen on April 10, 2012, 11:39:00 PM
Wow ,these are great looking Knives, Ken your is great. I will have to look up Ron's site and check them out.
Thank you for sharing.
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: Osage61 on April 12, 2012, 03:40:00 PM
I just barely got settled in to my hotel in St Louis MO when a package arrived that I had pre-ordered. My Longhunter knife from Ron LaClair arrived    :thumbsup:    . (As a side note it was wrapped in a fantastic Longhunter heavy wool shirt) The knife is strong, thick through the spine and really has some heft to it! I spend more time bushcrafting, camping and practicing woodsmanship than I do at archery    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: La Clair Knives
Post by: Stiks-n-Strings on April 13, 2012, 02:45:00 AM
absolutely love my skinner