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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Ron LaClair on November 25, 2014, 05:35:00 PM
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"He is a stout barrel-chested brute of a man. He is tough as iron, supple as a willow switch, strong as an ox, and like springs on the traps he carries he is always ready to leap into action to face the myriad of challenges he may find in the wilderness. Yet he is always ready with a laugh and a song, and his eyes glint when he has the opportunity to partake of the alcohol he carries for trade. He paddles his bateau along the rivers of the North American continent which are the highways of his day, spreading his culture but also blending it with those of the indigenous tribes he meets along the way. He is a Frenchman, one of the earliest of the intrepid breed of explorer. He is a Voyageur.
He carries with him everything he needs to make a life in the woods. His kit may include a primitive bow, an axe and or hawk, and as important as anything else, a knife. He carries several of these. Often there is a small knife hanging around his neck for minor chores, and another in one of his knee garters for emergencies. His everyday working knife, though, is worn his belt sash, or ceinture, and he relies on it for everything else. It will cut carrots and caribou or leather and lynx with equal facility. It isn’t huge as Hollywood would have us believe… perhaps with a 6” long but thin flexible blade with a handle made of plain wood or bone. This is the same kinds of knife he carries to the Indian tribes to trade for furs, but his knife has known adventures that we today can only dream of!
The Voyageur knife is 10 and ¼” inches in length with a 6” blade, and at its widest point it is an inch and a quarter in width. It measures 1/8” in thickness along the spine and is made of 1095 carbon steel. It is edge-hardened and tempered to approximately 59-60 on the Rockwell scale. It can be handled in either oiled walnut stained smooth bone or premium Elk stag. Whichever you choose, this knife will evoke the spirit of those hardy and boisterous paddlers of long-ago. In your hand, the knife will beg to be used, and as you do the Voyageur within you will be tempted to shout, “Sacre Bleu, mon ami, de river is calling my name!”
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small66915995.JPG)
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small49316099.JPG)
Reply to Thread
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Mighty fine looking blades, I hope you'll have a few at the show in Kalamazoo in January. I'll be looking for them.
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Good looking steel!
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:D :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Good stuff right there....
ChuckC
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Knives used in America from the 1600s up until the mid-1850s tended to be flat ground, and our knives follow that tradition. Hollow ground blades can produce a wickedly sharp edge, but they can much more easily chip or crack and, thus, they demand a much higher level of maintenance. Our knives actually incorporate what's known today as a compound bevel. The blades are flat ground leaving an edge that is about 25-40 microns thick. Then an additional edge bevel is added which allows our blades to be razor sharp but much stronger than a straight flat ground blade.
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I love the simplicity of these knives!
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I got a chance to test this blade this fall on deer. At first I wasn't sure it would be a good knife for dressing a deer but it turns out it is and I love it. The 6" blade works great for reaming the rear end and also for reaching in to cut off the wind pipe. Also the birds beak handle gives a secure grip when it's slick with blood.
I have more knives than any one man needs but this is one I'm glad to add to the "harem" :archer:
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The blades are flat ground leaving an edge that is about 25-40 microns thick. Then an additional edge bevel is added which allows our blades to be razor sharp but much stronger than a straight flat ground blade.
This is, in my opinion, a great edge for outdoor or camp cooking use. If I did not dabble at making knives myself, I would, without doubt, own one of these.
I may anyway since I have been known to collect a few other than my own. :campfire:
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Great looking knife Ron!
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Lin, I know C L would be tickled pink to make a knife for you.
Thank you for your comments :notworthy:
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quote:
Originally posted by Ron LaClair:
I have more knives than any one man needs but this is one I'm glad to add to the "harem" :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Just remember, if anything ever happens to Ron, my initials "R.L." are carved into all those knives and hawks that I've loaned to him and I will want them back. ;)
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Awesome blades.
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Sorry Buddy but I adhere to the tradition of the Indians and Vikings and will be buried with my weapons.
Do they allow boxcars to be buried in cemetery's.. :dunno:
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Nice blades!
Bisch
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Don't worry Ron....I live closer. Ray aint gettin' squat :bigsmyl:
I had one of these knives in hand up at Shrew Haven and I wanted to keep it, right now. Ron needed it for pictures and promotion, so I couldn't take that one. I have one on the way now. It is a VERY handy size, and follows my Grandpas traditional requirement of "a full size knife" (Ron knows that story). We all have too many knives....but this one absolutely qualifies as "All the knife you will ever need".
Absolutely great quality and great design. Wonderful job Ron!
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"Ron's epitaph"
Here lies a man who all of his life
loved bows and hawks and many a knife.
He's taking them with him just to be sure
and hopes they don't melt in extreme temperature
(http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2012/03/Rail_car_Dexter1-thumb-590x442-105925.jpg)
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quote:
Originally posted by Roger Norris:
Don't worry Ron....I live closer. Ray aint gettin' squat :readit:
they say a picture is worth a thousand words.......
;) (http:// [url=http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/shrewshooter/media/PB060062-Copy_zps56dd7e76.jpg.html] [img]http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg617/shrewshooter/PB060062-Copy_zps56dd7e76.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
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That's wonderful Ray!!! :biglaugh: Great looking knives Ron!
Bernie
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Curses...foiled again... :knothead:
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Outstanding Ron
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Great looking knife. I have the Skinner and love it. What's the price on this one?
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It's on the web site now :readit:
http://shrewbows.com/knives/Voyageur_Knife.html
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Ahem.. I live closer than either of them guys Ron, give me a spare key to your silver truck and I will hook on to said box car and make sure it ends up beside ya.
Promise.
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It's times like this when you find out who your real friends are...uh huh :rolleyes:
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those blades look awfully18th century Sheffield England"ish". typical English trade knife in style. Wear that in a Huron style neck knife sheath and you have something. (why does everyone seem to think a neck knife has a 3 inch blade???) I also have way too many "period" blades....lol
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Jack, you mean like this one? Rawhide lined, brain tan elk decorated with porcupine quills and horse hair cones. This one is for when I get all gussied up for Rendezvous... :jumper:
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small53328058.JPG)
Here's another of my larger Huron style neck knives.
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small31238336.JPG)
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David Wright's painting of Wes Studi as Magwah with his big neck knife. The print hangs in my office
(http://www.davidwrightart.com/view.php?imageID=62)
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In all seriousness, I have seen and handled this knife and I absolutely love it.
It feels great in the hand and looks like it could slice a moose no problem. Ron told me about the deer he opened with it, as he did above, and he was impressed with its function, I think this is a Great knife.
I like old Time stuff, and this is Old Time.
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That sheath work is beautiful!
I really like that print of Mr Studi. I esily recognized him and almost feel like I know him as many times as I have watched that movie. One of the best and most recognizable music scores ever. I have gotten to know Dan Winkler, who made the primary knives and hawks for that movie, over the years as we've visited at our custom knife shows.
This is my favorite time period in American history to study as far as the clothing and weaponry is concerned. That elk handled knife would fit perfectly.
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It's my favorite time period too Lin and The Last of the Mohicans is one of my favorite films.
That's neat that you know Dan Winkler who made the knives and hawks for the movie. I knew Mark Baker years ago before he became famous, he was an adviser in the movie and taught Daniel Day Lewis (Hawkeye) how to load his muzzleloader on the run.
As it says on the bottom of my post,
"We live in the present, we dream of the future, but we learn eternal truths from the past" History inspires us, it does me anyway, since my days as a child when my Mother would read to me every night at bedtime, stories of Cowboys, Indians, Pioneers and Robin Hood. It kindled a fire in me to learn more of our history and that fire has burned brightly for more than 70 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42MAk4_DBFc
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Ron Ron Ron! Did you really call me jack..???? it's John Getz....if I can post pictures I would send you some........waiting on my new Jud Brennan knife....and Jesse Brennan rifle...!!!! your knives look good!........stay well...!!!!
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BTW....I know who made the barrel for Hawkeye in Last of the Mohicans....hint hint....lol
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Jack, John, whats the diff. They called JFK both John and Jack didn't they? :dunno: :D
I've got a couple of Juds knives that he made for me before he moved to AK. My blacksmith friend C L Matteo has a smoothbore made by Jessee, you can see the Brennan talent in it.
Jud had to come to Michigan for some reason a few weeks ago and he dropped in for a surprise visit. As you know he doesn't have a cell phone or a computer. I tried to talk him into getting a computer but I don't think it'll ever happen :D
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he was at my shop the week before! We were talking about you! don't know if you saw it, but my father just died 2 days ago..!! those Brennan boys are talented.!!!! I'm just ribbin' you over that Jack thing..! glad to hear you got that 36 caliber back....! Kill any good bucks up at Shrew haven?......just getting ready for flint rifle season here....
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I had not heard about your Dad, I'm so sorry to hear that. From talking to Jud I know you and he were very close.
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Sure do like those knives. May have to start collecting again.
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I like it!
I know someone who is more of a voyeur than a voyageur but still that blade would look good on. ;-)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Accoutrements/HPIM2767b.jpg)
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John, sorry to hear about your Dad.
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I WANT one of those knives... don't like the big honkin knives, but that would suit me.
First, I get the plumbing fixed in this house I bought...that the prior owner 'remodeled' but missed a step...then if there be some money left...?
So, Ron... does the sheath have a belt loop, can it be made angled loop for a cross draw?
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So, Ron... does the sheath have a belt loop, can it be made angled loop for a cross draw?
That's a good idea Dave. I'll ask Art Vincent who makes my sheaths if he can do that. I have the option for a vertical sheath or a horizontal sheath for my Skinner knife and the horizontal/canoe sheath is the most popular
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I called Art and he though a knife the length of the Voyageur would carry better with an angled cross draw sheath rather than a horizontal one. He said he'd have one in the mail this week for my approval. I'll post pictures when I get it.
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Cant wait to see the sheath Ron.
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Thanks, Ron!
After I get the plumbing fiasco of this place I bought in TN resolved, if there is $$ left, I WANT One...
On another thread, Cross Draw seemed to reference, among knife makers, a horizontal orientation. That is NOT my concept of "cross draw" as in the Cowboy Action Shooting fraternity of a 45* angle. I AGREE that a longer blade requires an angled sheath, not horizontal like the petite skinner. I'm looking for about a 45* angle or no more than 30*.
Shoot me an email with pics if you want, Ron. I'm more than a little interested! I hate to make my own leather, especially living in a new area where I barely can find my way, let alone places to ferret out goodies like leather pieces! [knothead]
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Those knives are very beautiful!! They are my kind of knives.
MAY THE SPIRIT OF FRED BEAR GUIDE OUR ARROWS.
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I got the crossdraw sheath from Art today, it's ambidextrous (left or right) . I'm gonna like this carry a lot.
(http://***********.bowsite.com/TF/pics/00small14180390.JPG)
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Yup...that is what I'm looking for...
Now all I have to do is to find a "plumber" who will honor his agreement to show up and see how much the repair to my newly purchased home plumbing will cost, and maybe I can get me one of those knives and sheaths!
I have my Ruger cross draw hoslter made for the weak side with strong hand cross over, so the knife would be on this side for me too...
My custom belt I made for the holster is a bit wider than that, how wide might that loop accommodate, Ron?
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Looks good buddy! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Very nice Ron!
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Dave, this belt is almost 2" and there's plenty of room
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small27822415.JPG)
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Thanks for checking and reporting, Ron!
That will WORK! My custom belt I made for the holster is just under 2" and I have a wide belt to wear with my wool pull over that is closer to three... but I had to taper the front tongue of it to fit the biggest buckle I could readily find so that was only 2"...
Now to get thru this plumbing thing efficiently and have $$ enough left to order me a Christmas Gift!
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Oh man... I like the looks the knife in the cross draw sheath!! Very nice!
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Yep. This is leader in the post-Christmas gift to me category. :thumbsup:
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I love simple, homemade knives.
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Anybody order one yet???Looking to break the bank.Awsome looking knife.Have to add to my DEFENDER............
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Tim I got your PM, As you probably know Michigans ML season opened yesterday and I usually go back and forth from my bow to my flintlock. This morning I took a doe with my flinter and got the chance to use the Voyageur knife again. This is the 2nd deer I've dress with this knife and it continues to impress me.
I used it again this afternoon to cut up vegetables for a big pot of soup...after I washed the blood off of coarse :bigsmyl:
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Congrats on the flinter deer... PA required use of flintlock and it was the late season, after Christmas and it seemed the past 15 yrs, it would always warm and rain... Flintlock deer is a deer to be proud of, same as bow!
sent you an email re;question on knife...
Thanks!
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Very Nice!
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how much is the cross draw sheath and what is the wait time when an order is placed. i really love the knife.
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how much is the cross draw sheath and what is the wait time when an order is placed. i really love the knife
Due to the amount of orders we have for Christmas the estimated delivery time for the Voyageur knife will be sometime in January.
The order information is now on the website. A sheath comes with the knife so specify which sheath you want, vertical or crossdraw. (add $5.00 more for the crossdraw sheath)
http://shrewbows.com/knives/Voyageur_Knife.html
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Wow...success has it 's own rewards, huh?
Excellent that knife is doing so well...
I guess there is no hurry to order then... January is a wee bit off.
Thanks for the input and glad that it is doing so well!
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Well got ahold of Ron this morning and ordered the new knife with the crossdraw sheath,also one of his belts.Going with the elk-stag grip it will look nice next to my elk-stag Defender.............
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Quess I put an order in after the Christmas rush. Really want the Frontier sheath for my Shrew Hawak, as well. Have been toying with the idea of putting something together similar to that with cross strap for a large knife on the opposite side.
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We got a Voyageur finished with a walnut handle
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small10405428.JPG)
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You have a RH Elk Stag one finished too I think Ron...... :readit:
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Well I got a surprise in the mail today,Wasn,t expecting it until sometime in January.I now have another fine LaClair knife.....The Voyageur...Wish I knew how to post pics.What a beauty.Mr. LaClair is someone special to get this out to me in time for Christmas......Thank-you Ron for the awesome service and Merry Christmas to you.
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Old Santa is full of surprises isn't he.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
(http://wp.appadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/santa.jpg)