No comments about The Gun Digest Book of Exploded Handgun Drawings.

No comments about Cartridge Drawings Now and Then from the Pen of Ken.

No comments about Gun Digest, 1990: 44th Annual Edition.

5 comments about African Rifles and Cartridges.

1. If you love hunting- and african hunting in particular- you MUST have this book! It is the classic by which all others should be judged. I read my first copy so often- and referred to it when reading other African hunting books- that it started to fall apart. I bought another to read and loan, plus one bound in leather to keep for good in mint, unread condition.
   Believe me, you will love this book if you are a hunter!



2. John Taylor's masterpiece - the definitive work on African hunting from a technical perspective. And even though his experience is nearly 100 years old now, it's still as fresh as yesterday, because the rifles and cartridges really haven't changed much. Craig Boddington's important work on the same subject is truly current, but you won't miss a beat if you just go by what Old Pondoro says.
   
   But that's not the book's real glory - anyone can publish ballistic data and shooting tips. What Taylor does is to back up his opinions with some of the most exciting hunting literature ever jotted down by lantern light. He's a wonderful writer, with an easy flowing style that grabs you and takes you along. He saw and did things that noone else will ever again do or see, and in a sense saw the last of the old Africa pre WW2, and brings it alive. He tells you that the .577 NE is just the perfect thing for elephant, and has a couple of tales to prove it. Or how about the .375 H&H as a long range caliber? Well, did he ever tell you about the time that... It sounds contrived, but it isn't.
   
   I can't put this book down, and approach it with caution because I know if I crack it open it'll be like saying "Jumanji" 3 times - the next thing you know hours have passed and there's a lion in your kitchen, licking the butter. Absolutely a desert island book, and one of the first to go in the lifeboat.



3. For most of us, the dream of going to Africa and hunting with the classics of the past will always remain that. However, if one has hankering for the great guns of the past and a by gone era, this book will fill that niche. If you are lucky enough to ever be able to travel to Africa, this book would be essentual reading as knowledge- practocal knowledge - of the big guns is very hard to find and full of misconceptions.

   If you fall into the latter catagory, Taylor had several lifetimes of practical hunting experince, and his knowledge shines.

   For most of us, there are very few hunters and shooters who have not dreamed of owning a Purdy, Holland and Holland and others of the past, in such lovely calibers as 375 H&H, and .600 Nitro. This is a book to own and dream with.

   Incidentaly, despite its comparative age, much in here is still current, although much more recent calibers are not really discussed.

   Grade: A+




4. Timeless writing! A treasure trove of literary delights for anyone interested in the ambience of a bygone era of action and adventure ala Hemingway, Selous and Bell. Something for everyone, whether an enthusiast of shooting, safari, classic cartridges and rifles of legend (doubles and single action sporters) or a mere naturalist. John Pondoro Taylor was clearly a genius in his given profession, albeit politically incorrect for his time.



5. Taylor is one of the most competent gun writers I have ever read. He has tremendous practical experience with almost every large calibre rifle of his time, including the spell bounding numbers like 600, 577s, 500s, 450s, 450/400, 375 etc., with a nostalgic term of Nitro Express..! When discussing a calibre, he talks of taking literally hundreds of elephant, buffalo & other big game with it. So who can question his authority on African rifles. He has also covered every possible aspect of sporting rifle, which can be questioned, with respect of African hunting, e.g., doubles versus magazines, barrel length, weight, sights, triggers, ejectors/non-ejectors, etc. A must read book for the person who wants to know about large calibres, double rifles and nitro / black powder express. Excellent drawing of each cartridge is also given with details i.e., bullet weight, powder charge and pressure.

5 comments about How to Make Folding Knives/a Step-By-Step How-To: A Step-By-Step How-To.

1. this is a great book, you will see several professional knife makers work their magic & turn out beautiful high end folders.
   the book is well worth the price for that alone!
   BUT ...
   dont buy this book thinking it will help you make knives, it wont , unless you own or have use of a well equipted machine shop, and the skill to use a milling machine etc.
   as a hobby i have been making decent quality working knives for 20 years, including a few simple folders. however i can not even begin to use the techniques in theis book or afford the machines it assumes you have on hand.
   cmk-montana



2. Just got a copy of this for Christmas; latest printing I believe.

   I haven't tried to make a folder yet, but I might give it a go soon. However, I'll be buying some other book before I try it.

   OK These guys make knives and are the big names. I don't expect them to write well and I wasn't surprised. However, I was surprised on the print quality. Most of the pictures (which the authors rely on quite heavily) are nearly black. "In photo 14 you can see how to ...." In photo 14 you can't see squat.

   Personally I think it's great that these guys are willing to share their methods. It's just a shame that the publisher is not doing them justice.

   I also need to warn some readers that these 3 are professionals with professional equipment and professional methods. Some of us are garage knife makers and don't have milling machines. This makes their plans quite a bit harder to implement.

   Overall if you want to know how these guys construct their knives, you will get a feel for it. If you already make folding knives, you might get some more ideas. If you want to use this book to learn how to do it, forget it.

   Also, as another reviewer pointed out, this book is quite remiss in not covering linerlocks.




3. I am a knife knut. There are three "make a knife" sections to this book. The authors - Lake, Centofante, and Clay are each well respected knifemakers. For a general idea of what goes into knifemaking this book is about average for the "let's write a book for our fans who aspire to make their own" book. It gives methods that each contributor goes through (learned after painstaking years of trial and error, hands on work). The text gives a pretty good description of each artists work, start to finish. As in most of the books in this price range and size, the pictures are not very helpful.
   You will not become a knife maker reading this or any of the books like this one. It does show you how much talent and hardwork and knowledge you need to make just one knife though.



4. I believe that there are items in this book which are exactly what one is looking for if they would like to learn to make folders. I bought this book at a knife show a long time ago but misplacd it. Now I have enough room to set up a bench and think I will buy another copy and give it a go.



5. First off, I have to mention that I am a knife collector and enthusiast. The names of the authors would be instantly recognizable for their work and reputation. However, unlike the Loveless book it was intended to compliment, this work reads as a dry, mechanical, how-to of building folders. Sorry, Ron I love your knives and I dream of someday owning one, but this book won't convert many people into 'knife-nuts'

   There is a lot of information here, but this book would probably be of interest to knifemakers. Also, not covering linerlocks, probably the most popular of the folder styles is a serious ommission.

4 comments about Spyderco Story: The New Shape of Sharp.

1. I bought this book for my knife collecting husband who not only loves Spyderco, but is an avid reader. He immediately read the book from cover to cover and refers to it on what seems to be a daily basis. He routinely reads passages to me when we're discussing his knives and why he prefers Spyderco over all others. If you know someone who likes folding knives at all, BUY THIS BOOK!



2. If you are looking for the perfect gift for a knife collector/user or anyone interested in knives, THIS IS THE PERFECT GIFT.

   As one who has none of these characteristics, I found the book fascinating- an intriguing look at a world I knew nothing about. The final chapter is an unexpected gold mine of ideas and insights into a company, Spyderco, whose philosophy is guided by integrity ... "being good even if no one is watching".

   You'll buy this book because it's the definitive book about a great knife company and its products. When you read it, you will get a lot more...you will learn about the company they call "the mouse with a megaphone" and it's no Mickey Mouse either!




3. I am fascinated by the book's descriptions of the design-rationale behind each of Spyderco's many knives.

   Also, the book describes the management philosophy and practice at the Spyderco company. Fascinating insight into what makes Spyderco knives so good!

   A nice feature of the book is that it can be read in bits and pieces. It has lots of glossy photos. It reminds me of reading National Geographic magazine. Parts are nice for casual browsing, other parts have in-depth description.

   If I have my pants on, I'm carrying a Spyderco knife! If your Spyderco knife is indispensible, I'm confident you'll like this book!




4. I am fascinated by the book's descriptions of the design-rationale behind each of Spyderco's many knives.

   Also, the book describes the management philosophy and practice at the Spyderco company. Fascinating insight into what makes Spyderco knives so good!

   A nice feature of the book is that it can be read in bits and pieces. It has lots of glossy photos. It reminds me of reading National Geographic magazine. Parts are nice for casual browsing, other parts have in-depth description.

   If I have my pants on, I'm carrying a Spyderco knife! If your Spyderco knife is indispensible, I'm confident you'll like this book!

1 comments about Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia.

1. Please see my review for "Colt Peacemaker Vol. II". Sadly, it has been brought to my attention today, that Mr. Cochran has passed away. There are no publications that can duplicate these books in terms of knowledge, organization, or value to both collectors and dealers. A hugh block of the existing first-hand knowlege involving these legendary guns has been lost with the passing of Mr. Cochran. Buy these books while you can. They cannot be replaced and will be eagerly pursued by collectors dealers, and "experts" in the future.

2 comments about The Krag Rifle.

1. Lt. Cl. Brophy has done a decent job of outlining the history, machanical changes and service use that the U.S. Model Krag- Jorgenson rifle was involved in. Chapters are layed out in cronological order beginning with the quest for smokless powder and ending with the inception of the Model of '03.

   Yet after reading and rereading this work, it becomes apparant that the author could have been much clearer in the way that he layed out the facts most important to the arms collector. Perhaps the one charactoristic that contributed to the lack of clarity in this book is that much of the text are reprinted copies of the Springfield Arsonal's formal records and corespondances on the arm, and the many changes that underwent. As a result the book tends to bog down and the reader is left with no alternative but to skim along looking for the facts relevant to the collecting of these arms. The vast majority of these transcriptions would have been better left for the appendicies, (of which there are many). Yet, the appendacies that were constructed for this work are written in such small font that they are all but unreadable. (There are typically four transcribed pages to each appendacized page).

   In addition the author's use of pictures was less then optimal for the reader wishing to collect the Krag. Many of the pictures in this book are too dark to clearly illustrate the small details for which they were provided. This proves frustrating to the reader. Also, with regard to pictures, the author did not use them to compare and contrast various configurations of the rifle by placing different configurations along side one another. He did however do this with some pictures of some of the internal parts of the weapon which was indeed helpful.

   This book is fine as a coffee table book. It provides an excellent look into the inner workings of the Springfield Armory at a very critical time in the history of firearms development, as well as some information on the detailed changes that took place on the martial arm of that time. Yet if one seeks information pertinent to the collecting of this arm, such as is found in "The Trapdoor", by Earnst and Wait, or in any of the "Collector Field Guide Series", by J.C. Harrison, they are looking in the wrong place.




2. This book covers the history and traces the changes this fine rifle went through as the US forces converted from black powder to smokeless. It is a great resource for identifing proper parts makeup for that rifle you are looking to collect. The rear sight options are extensive.

1 comments about Sargent's American Premium Guide to Pocket Knives & Razors Including Sheath Knives Identifications and Values (American Premium Guide to Knives & Razors).

1. JIM SERGEANT'S EXPERTISE IS UNEQUALLED IN THE AREA OF CASE,REM.ETC. A TRUE GENTLEMAN IN MY DEALINGS WITH HIM.

No comments about Gun Digest 1994.