Up for auction is an opportunity to design your own bone or antler handled pocket knife.  Here is the deal:  We have auctioned off other Reid pocket knives to benefit The Thoreau Society over the years, but always the knives were pre-made.  This year you have the opportunity to design your own.  It will be delivered within two weeks of the end of the auction, after you consult with Dr. Bill Reid in Maine, a life member of the Thoreau Society since 1964, to specify the design.  Please refer to the sample picture of a knife sold a few years ago in the auction.

Offered is a model two, which has an approximate overall length of 3 and ¼ inches and, open, depending on blade shape, 5 and 3/8ths inches.  You can chose  one of these blade shapes:  spey,  clip point, spear point, warncliffe,  straight razor, or sheep’s foot.  Blade steel  choice is between  1095 high carbon steel (traditionally used and the only sort available in Thoreau‘s time) or  O1 oil hardening tool steel.  Dr. Reid does not  make stainless pocket knife  blades.  There will be front and back bolsters,  as shown in the pictures,  and can be of  360 solid brass,  or  German silver  (a nickel alloy traditionally used). The front bolsters on all Reid knives are of the “Barlow” style.   Liners will be of brass.  You have a choice of Maine Moose, or white tailed deer antler, Maine moose bone,  or cattle bone,  handles.  It will be a traditional spring back knife not a lock back knife. If you chose you may have a lanyard loop integral with the end of the back spring.  The front bolster is large enough to be engraved .   The blade will be serial numbered, and stamped  “Reid/ New Sharon,/Maine” on the blade tang.  The piece will be hand honed and delivered razor sharp  (Caution!)

The winner of the auction can contact Bill Reid  at  wirreid@somtel.com, or   (207) 778-2325 to design your  knife.