Rusty Preston Fossil Mammoth Large 2-Blade Trapper, Roman Knot File-Work (SOLD)
Rusty Preston found knife making in 2003 after retiring from a long career as a pilot with Continental Airlines. He made his first knife – a fixed blade – that same year. In 2004 he made his first slip-joint knife under the critical and careful eye of Bill Ruple. By then, Rusty had the bug. He went to his first Blade Show as an attendee in 2005, and by 2006 he was a Blade Show table holder. I don’t think Rusty planned on having a very successful and famous career as a Texas slip-joint knifemaker, but that is exactly what happened. As a craftsman who liked working with his hands, knifemaking came naturally. Rusty’s focus is on traditional slip-joint patterns. His work is clean, and he uses the best materials available. Rusty has received multiple honors and awards for his work, and his knives have been published on numerous occasions.
This large 2-blade Trapper is a testament to Rusty’s skills as a slip-joint knifemaker. The knife features blades and springs made from CPM154 stainless steel, and bolsters and liners made from 416 stainless steel. The handle is two beautifully matched blue fossil mammoth scales, with lots of figure, depth and color. You just don’t find a set of mammoth scales this pretty and that big. What sets this knife apart is the stunning file-work that Rusty has done on both the liners and springs. The springs are done with Roman Knot file-work that run from approximately the swedges of each blade all the way to the rear bolster. When the blades are open, you cannot tell where the blade ends, and the spring begins. The liners, including the center liner, have very fine file-work as far around the handle as possible. There are ample, deep cut nail nicks on each blade. The blades have half stops, lock up tight when opened and sit centered in the handle between their respective liners when closed. This knife has had one previous owner and the collector kept it in excellent condition. This is another one of the nicest examples of Rusty’s work we’ve seen. Comes in a padded zippered case.
Condition: Previously owned. Excellent
Never used, carried or sharpened
- Main blade length: 3 3/4"
- Secondary blade length: 3 3/4"
- Closed length: 4 3/4"