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Old 03-30-2012, 01:35 PM
BoBlade BoBlade is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 955
Rick,

I'd like to expand a bit on your comment if you don't mind:

Errol's knife is what is known as a WWII "Commando". It's original roots went back to one of Bo's hunting knives from the late 30's as did the WWII Hunters. As you mentioned, it sported a double hilt and a sharpened clip. I found a photo of one in my files as follows (I think it came from Pete's book and was owned by Tom Clinton):



Note that this one has an "S" type guard. Most did not have this feature.

Over time I have learned that there were a number of different WWII Hunter grinds (As there were Commando grinds), some of which had as much of an "upsweep" as any Model 4 we recognize today:







In his book, Gaddis mentions that Bo recollected a WWII Hunter he made for a guy who wanted more of an upswept blade for skinning. He relied on that memory to come out with his "Big Game Skinner" that he introduced in the summer of 1945, later to be known as the Model 4 as it took fourth place in his catalog lineup behind the All Purpose Fighter, Stiletto and Hunter.

Best,

Ron
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