The other hunters and myself gave these custom knives from the Sunrise River Knife Company a good work out the week end of March 17-19, 2000 at the Texas Big Hog Outing or BHO held on the
Reed Wildlife Ranch near Kerens, TX..
Jay Maines dropped me an e-mail and asked if I'd like to do a Product Test on a couple of knives from his Sunrise River Custom Knife Company.
I said sure and selected for test his #14 Big Game Skinner and his #21 Small Drop Point Hunter. Jay promptly shipped these to me for long term testing. He shipped them with the normal
semi finished edge ready for sharpening as the customer sees fit. I sharpened both using a 24 degree bevel and then steeled them in preparation for the BHO.
When I arrived at the Reed Ranch I took out the two knives and showed them around to all of the hunters and let them know these knives were available for use by all during the BHO as we
wanted to give them a real test. Most everyone who handled the #21 Small Drop Point Hunter fell in love with it but the reception to the much heavier #14 Big Game Skinner was less warm.
Folks liked the lightness and easy handling of the Drop Point so much better. All agreed both were nicely done and that workmanship seemed first rate. The real test was yet to come.
Success on the hunt was a bit less than we had hoped for but still a total of three hogs were taken. The first was taken by Malcolm and he chose to use the #21 Small Drop Point for the
gutting and skinning chores and then later for cutting it up to place in his cooler for transport also. I was able to twist his arm to try the #14 Big Game Skinner but he soon went back
to the Drop Point. Said the light weight and easy handling were the over riding considerations for him. Next up was a sow killed by Alec and Carl did the chores on this one for his young
friend. Carl also was insistent that the #21 Small Drop Point was the knife of choice. If you are beginning to get the idea folks fell in love with this one then you are 100% correct as
they sure did. Last up was my big GrayGhost Whumpus Hog and Kevin volunteered to do the honors since he has done the job on a few hundred hogs in his time. Who was I to argue? Kevin also
chose the #21 Small Drop Point Hunter for the full job from gutting to skinning to cutting it up for the coolers, yes it was large enough to take two coolers. Kevin even used this knife
to cut thru the entire ribcage and afterward found the knife still sharp enough to continue cutting however he didn't argue when I took it and steeled it again after such abuse.
At no time during the full work on three hogs did the blade require any work other than an occasional use of the steel to touch up the edge. Even after I got back home and used it to
complete the processing of my hog I still only used the steel and did not have to touch it to a stone again. Just how long would it have kept going? I don't know but when returned to
Jay it still hadn't needed to be touched to stone again.
My report on the Custom Knives from Sunrise River Custom Knives and made by Jay Maines is very positive. All who used them were happy with the performance and wanted to know if as
field testers they were going to get a special "field tester" price on one. I believe if Jay had sent along a few extra of the #21 Small Drop Point Hunters I would have been able
to have sold some for him. They were that popular with the crowd at the BHO.
More testing (use and abuse) was given them and they haeld up to it all. Jay told me to take my time and use and abuse them and let him know how they hold up. They held up great.
Both the #21 Small Drop Point Hunter and the #14 Big Game Skinner earned the Graybeard Seal of Approval
for exemplary performance at the BHO and further use and abuse during further testing.
#14 Big Game Skinner
#21 Small Drop Point Hunter
Here is some Advertising Copy from Jay's website for you to get a better idea of what he has to offer. Also be sure to visit his website:
Thank You For Expressing An Interest In Sunrise River Custom Knives
You are about to enter the wonderful world of hand-made knives. Where the pride of
ownership, and the reliability of your custom knife will see you through many years of hard
service. Compare the quality of the materials with the fine craftsmanship of the finished knife,
and you will see True Value, from your investment.
I offer a complete line of fixed blade, full tang, custom cutlery. Built one at a time to be strong
and functional, and with reasonable care will last a lifetime. This web site will acquaint you
with the many varieties of blades I offer, the color and grain pattern of the exotic hard woods
and horns I use for handles, and the different styles of my custom sheaths.
STEEL: My preferred choice is 440-C stainless steel. It offers excellent edge holding,
toughness and stain resistance, with reasonable cost. I'm also making a few select blades in
the new patented, C.P. M. T440-V (Vanadium) stainless steel. Vanadium is a grain refiner
and toughener, which gives it tremendously more wear resistance, and an incredible
edge-holding ability. It is much more expensive, harder to work, and will not take a high
polish. However the cutting ability compares to a fine piece of Damascus. My blades are
made using the "Stock Removal" method, most working models are Hollow Ground, for ease
of sharpening. Each blade is professionally heat treated and tempered. Then deeply etched
with my Sunrise River logo on the front, and if you request, your name can be etched on the
back for a nominal fee. Bolsters and guards are available in brass, stainless steel or nickle
silver. Most bolsters are dove-tailed to the handle material.
HANDLE MATERIAL: Because of their natural warmth and lasting beauty, I use exotic
hard woods, from around the world. I personally select each piece for its color, texture, grain
pattern and appearance. These heavy, dense woods are spectacular, polish to a high shine
and wear well with age. each handle is hand sculpted and designed for a comfortable grip
with effortless control. I also offer Mammoth ivory, Sambar Stag, Asian Rams and Buffalo
Horn, all in select grades. Now, for a collector's knife, with a truly distinctive look, consider
the fine selection of "Composite Gemstones" I have to offer. This product is a mixture of the
best natural crushed stone and a strong resin material. Reformed to produce a strong, yet
somewhat fragile handle scale, it's perfect for the small knife that "never leaves home." Each
piece is unique in pattern and color, and polishes to a high luster. For an example of this in
dark-blue Turquoise, see Model #32, Collector's Boot Knife. I'm testing a new product from
the Goodyear Company, a Soft-Grip, black "Neoprene" non-slip rubber like material. It has
been well received by users that want a secure grip on a solid working knife. Give it a try,
you will be pleasantly surprised.
SHEATHS: Each knife comes with a sheath, either in leather or matching wood. All leather
ones are hand sewn and custom fitted by me from Water buffalo hide. It then gets my special
hot saddle oil and bees wax formula finish, that penetrates and seals, giving it a mellow tan
color. If you have a knife that needs anew or replacement sheath, then give me a call. I do
custom leather work for many knife owners. For a very reasonable cost, your favorite knife
can have the quality sheath it deserves. (Please do not store your knife in its sheath for long
periods of time.)
Guarantee: Your knife is fully guaranteed for "Life," against any defects in materials and
workmanship. However, if the knife has been broken or damaged due to abuse (throwing,
prying, hammering or twisting the blade) this will void the guarantee. Natural handle materials,
exotic woods and stag horn, may shrink or expand due to humidity and temperature changes.
this is a natural occurrence and does not constitute a defect.
Color Brochure Available On Request.
Sunrise River Custom Knife Company
Jay Maines
5584 266th St.
Wyoming, MN 55092
651-462-5301