Camp/Utility Knife: from the collection of Bladeforums member Kevin Pensinger, this knife was a custom job created by Mel. The knife was intended to be a camp knife that could double as a hunting knife if needed, and I think the results show it would do this very well! The handle profile is typical of Mel's camp knife style while the blade is D-2, of course. The blade is finished to a higher degree of polish than was usual for Mel (he usually took them to 320 on a worn out belt) and he also created an unusual high ride crossdraw leather sheath for the knife. The scales are cocobolo with a lot of pins for added strength. In his own words, Kevin expresses what it was like to work with the Madpoet:
"Mel was a great man to work with and although we never met in person we had a lengthy correspondence about knives and more so about life and being an outdoorsman."
Regardless of whether a sale was being made or not, Mel was always interested in talking to people. No wonder his business was doing so well!
Buckeye Burl Clip Point Skinner: This picture was sent by Bladeforums member Kevin Pensinger. It is D-2 with California buckeye burl handle scales and what looks to be a desert ironwood bolster. In Kevin's own words:
"[The Buckeye Burl Clip Point Skinner] is my favorite hunting knife. The darn thing just holds an edge forever, I love the wood and the swinger sheath is top notch."
