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Old 10-14-2014, 09:23 PM
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Any members have or heard of Deleon Knives ?
Knife maker out of Texas. Makes a great blade and
they are getting difficult to find. Picked this up last week.
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Old 10-15-2014, 10:49 PM
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I've never heard of them but that is a fine looking pig sticker right there.
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Old 10-15-2014, 10:59 PM
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Howie,

I have one nigh on 45 years now. I think he was a Vietnam vet out of Dallas I have heard. Mine has skinned many a deer and hog. Drop point blade with gut hook. Will try to get pic tomorrow. Great knives.
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Old 10-15-2014, 11:03 PM
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I met him at a gun show many years ago. He makes a great knife. He was from Lubbock at one time.Very nice guy and really talented. If you have a chance to get one I would not hesitate.
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Old 10-15-2014, 11:05 PM
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He has been around a long time. Makes good stuff.
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Old 10-15-2014, 11:15 PM
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I've talked with him a few times at Dallas shows. My overall impression was that the knives are sort of like those by Ralph Bone or G.W. Stone, but the workmanship was less consistent. Still, it was pretty good for the money, and I've seen Randalls no better made.

I think he uses 440C steel, but don't know anything about his heat treatment. G. W. Stone used 440C but had a unique heat treatment that he developed. G.W. had been in the aerospace industry and had learned some things about heat treating steels. I published a profile of him in, "Blade" and spent time in his shop and knew Stone fairly well. His knives were very tough and held an edge well. I didn't like most of his designs as well as I do equivalent Randalls, though. That, of course, is subjective.

I think that if the model appeals to you, the DeLeon knives are sound values and will perform well.
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Old 10-15-2014, 11:50 PM
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I saw one on display at a local knife show. I found one, and it's among my favorites. Present from Mrs. Dennis The B. Shown along with my Model 27-2:
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Old 10-16-2014, 09:39 AM
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Howie,

Here is some pics (sorry ones) of the DeLeon I have had since late 60's. My girlfriend gave it to me for my birthday. Wonder where she is now? Sure gave good presents she did. It has a ton of working miles on it and is residing in an old Randall sheath. I don't think it came with a sheath. Anyway, told you I would send pics today. Stay cool up there on the lake.
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File Type: jpg DeLeon 005.jpg (115.7 KB, 88 views)
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Old 10-16-2014, 07:53 PM
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I like those knives. Did a quick search on flea bay and they have a few and the price is over $600.oo
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Old 10-16-2014, 09:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Biginge View Post
Howie,

Here is some pics (sorry ones) of the DeLeon I have had since late 60's. My girlfriend gave it to me for my birthday. Wonder where she is now? Sure gave good presents she did. It has a ton of working miles on it and is residing in an old Randall sheath. I don't think it came with a sheath. Anyway, told you I would send pics today. Stay cool up there on the lake.
Thanks for posting that. It reminds me of Stone's Diana model a little, and more of some Loveless designs. Note the relatively crude, soft grind lines. The shaping of the handle is also slightly crude by professional knifemaker standards. Compare this to a Loveless, a Steve Johnson, or a knife by Dietmar Kressler and you'll see what I mean.
On the other hand, most men don't feel that they can afford to hunt, hike, or camp with a knife as valuable as what they've made.

BTW, Kressler told me that back when men actually did use his knives instead of putting them in a safe, several hunters told him that they preferred his 154CM blades, as they took and held uniform edges well. His Damascus blades, with many layers, sometimes had different hardness along the edge and were harder to keep uniformly honed. Non-stainless Damascus also rusts rather easily if not well maintained.

After German, "Playboy" ran a multi-page color feature on Dietmar and his knives, the value skyrocketed and if he's still in business (I think he is), his clientele is probably 95% collectors. Bob Loveless also profited from a very heavy amount of publicity, and despite his having what I'd term as a "difficult" personality, his knives became instant collector items. Johnson also caters primarily to collectors, as probably does Dwight Towell and other famous makers who've been around for years.

But many very good craftsmen do make fine knives for "using" prices...at least, if one loves fine knives and is willing to pay for something more than a Mora. Puma has also made many knives that are so well crafted that they'd almost qualify as custom grade and their tempering was better than with some custom makers. Moreover, because you could buy a Puma over the counter, there was no risk that some small maker would take your deposit and never deliver the knife.
Although your DeLeon isn't a work of art, it apparently performs quite well, and for many, that 's enough.

Look at the work on the other DeLeon, the one that somewhat resembles a Randall Model 14 on a lighter scale. And the one in the OP is also pretty well made. The grind lines are sharper and more consistent.

But the price was certainly right! I wish that I had had girlfriends who'd given me knives.

Last edited by Texas Star; 10-16-2014 at 09:23 PM.
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Old 10-16-2014, 09:15 PM
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Texas Star you sure know your stuff on all the hardness, etc. That DeLeon of mine doesn't know what a safe is. It sure has performed well for over 45 years though. I don't even know what kind of steel it is. It sure has done a yeomans job on ungulates and boars of the wildest nature. Has reduced a many a critter to edible portions. I shoot my guns too. Not an unfired one in any of my safes. Always kinda thought thats what they was fer.

Thanks for the info. I think I'll keep it a working in about a month.
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Old 07-08-2015, 05:46 PM
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I have several of his knives. I met him while going to school in Lubbock.
He has slowed down quite a bit now. Never heard any complaints on his stuff. Its all good.
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