Unusual Tom Barminski Custom Hunting Knife With Matching Custom Sheath!

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Offered for your consideration is an outstanding older handmade custom hunting knife from Tom Barminski. Barminski (along with his brother) was along-time Guild member located in Loveland, Colorado. He retired several years ago and is no longer making knives. Barminski is an exceptionally talented craftsman who became known for his gorgeous handles. He certainly doesn't disappoint with this knife! He's also known for his incredible level of blade finish, and again he really delivered here! I've photographed thousands of blades and slight polish abnormalities or imperfections often aren't seen until the camera's flash hits the blade. Often, what appears to be a flawless mirror finish with show small areas of haze or cloudiness under the flash. This is due to microscopic differences in the finish surface that scatter light instead of reflecting it cleanly. These areas are often not visible in natural light. Barminski achieves one of the finest, true mirror finishes that I've seen...from any maker. Since we've entered the internet age, hundreds of knifemakers and would-be knifemakers have entered the industry. Some are very talented and produce exceptional knives. A few even produce work comparable to many of the makers in the Knifemaker's Guild. However, a large number simply buy blade blanks and off-the-shelf mounts, put the knife together, add a bit of finish work or filework to the spine, etch their name on the knife and sell the knife as a "handmade custom" knife. Barminski was another maker who is truly a talented artisan. No off-the-shelf parts here! His knives are unique and exceptionally well built with a very high level of fit & finish. His handles really set his knives apart from the crowd and are works of art in their own right. The knife shows no signs of having been used or carried and remains in near perfect condition with just a touch of light storage wear. It has not been buffed or polished and remains original. It comes in its original box with the tissue paper wrap. The knife was beautifully designed and exceptionally well made. The design is very unique and also highly functional. The blade has sort of a deep wharncliffe profile. The thick blade was precisely ground and displays perfect symmetry. It was polished to a deeply mirrored finish and the surfaces are highly reflective. Barminski preferred to grind D2, 440C, and 154CM although I'm not sure which steel was used here. My guess would be 154CM based on the finish, appearance, and feel. If you've ever stroked your thumb across the edge of a very high-quality blade, then you'll instantly recognize the sound and feel of this blade. It's a very hard concept to explain, but one you don't forget once you've experienced it. The blade was ground with an over-sized choil that can be used for a forward-adjusted grip when greater blade control is desired. It was ground with an integral finger groove/guard. The blade has been very lightly and carefully honed by hand. It looks as though the original owner may have simply put his "finish edge" edge on the blade and it shows no visible signs of sharpening. The blade finish is completely free of any grind marks or sharpening abrasions. The edge is free of any nicks, chips, dings, or damage and it remains razor sharp with no signs of use. The handle is also very unique and has a contemporary look to it. I've never been a big fan of laminated hardwood handles, but this one is really something special. There are a few makers that can really pull off laminated hardwood handles (Dymondwood) and Barminski is certainly at the top of that list. It's one of the nicest, most striking handles of this type that I've seen. The wood was highly finished and the silky-smooth surfaces exhibit great depth. The grain is simply gorgeous and really draws the eye. It was beautifully shaped and contoured and the grip has an outstanding feel. The handle was shaped with a concave taper towards the pommel plates and this area fits perfectly against the bottom of the hand. The pommel plates are of aluminum and have a brushed satin finish.... read more

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