Everlong
Well-Known Member
I just wanted to share my experiences with Mark after having him make three blades for me.
It all started in the Autumn when my lovely wife suggested buying me a custom knife for our Silver Wedding Anniversary. I had a pretty specific idea of what I wanted (Damasteel, nicely figured wood, hunting profile, 4") and saw something matching these requirements on Mark's website.
I contacted him through his facebook page and sadly that knife had already been sold - cue the conversation about a commissioned piece. I was able to specify everything about the knife, the pattern of Damasteel, scales, mosaic pins etc. I knew it wouldn't be with me until after the Christmas holidays but when it did arrive I was completely over the moon.
I've included a picture of the finished knife below along with the CWD I christened it with - my first CWD buck - and recently measured and it scored 238 making it a very good Gold medal
At the time of getting the knife made I spoke with Mark about also getting a Woodlore style knife made at some point in the future - cut to a few weeks back when a good friend found out, despite being on the waiting list for the Ray Mears Woodlore knife (Alun Wood) for nearly a decade and being less than 100 in the queue, that these are no longer being made and the only option was their Emberleaf version. ****ed off doesn't even come close!
He's seen my Mark Hill Hunter and loved it so I approached Mark about making two Woodlore clones, one for each of us. These were turned around in a very short timeframe, again made to our specifications, 01 Tool Steel hardened to 59 HRC, beautiful English Walnut scales (Mark had purchased a large piece nearly 10 years ago intending to make a stock from it, as that's now not on the cards we were lucky enough to have the blades cloaked in it)
Absolutely razor sharp, first class workmanship and at a really good price. If anyone is considering a quality bespoke knife I can't recommend Mark Hill highly enough. The Woodies cost less than half the £495 which Ray Mears charged for the Alun Wood version....
Cheers
Gavin
It all started in the Autumn when my lovely wife suggested buying me a custom knife for our Silver Wedding Anniversary. I had a pretty specific idea of what I wanted (Damasteel, nicely figured wood, hunting profile, 4") and saw something matching these requirements on Mark's website.
I contacted him through his facebook page and sadly that knife had already been sold - cue the conversation about a commissioned piece. I was able to specify everything about the knife, the pattern of Damasteel, scales, mosaic pins etc. I knew it wouldn't be with me until after the Christmas holidays but when it did arrive I was completely over the moon.
I've included a picture of the finished knife below along with the CWD I christened it with - my first CWD buck - and recently measured and it scored 238 making it a very good Gold medal
At the time of getting the knife made I spoke with Mark about also getting a Woodlore style knife made at some point in the future - cut to a few weeks back when a good friend found out, despite being on the waiting list for the Ray Mears Woodlore knife (Alun Wood) for nearly a decade and being less than 100 in the queue, that these are no longer being made and the only option was their Emberleaf version. ****ed off doesn't even come close!
He's seen my Mark Hill Hunter and loved it so I approached Mark about making two Woodlore clones, one for each of us. These were turned around in a very short timeframe, again made to our specifications, 01 Tool Steel hardened to 59 HRC, beautiful English Walnut scales (Mark had purchased a large piece nearly 10 years ago intending to make a stock from it, as that's now not on the cards we were lucky enough to have the blades cloaked in it)
Absolutely razor sharp, first class workmanship and at a really good price. If anyone is considering a quality bespoke knife I can't recommend Mark Hill highly enough. The Woodies cost less than half the £495 which Ray Mears charged for the Alun Wood version....
Cheers
Gavin
