Good to hear this, Jody, as I too have a guard with knife on order from Tim and fingers crossed it will show up next week. Apparently he doesn’t keep stock but custom makes each set only after talking to the customer. Even though I’m looking at weeks or months of physical therapy before I can shoot again, a guy still likes new archery toys, esp. during the off-season. And it gives me plenty of time to sharpen the little knife! Three years ago I killed a bull on the last day of the season and, first time in the current epoch, I forgot my Helle belt knife. So I had to quarter the entire elk with my little armguard knife. It’s a Helle blade I put an Osage handle on myself, but the handle is so thin that I could hardly use my hand for days after due to cramps. Another problem is that after a while the knife loosened up in it’s sheath on the armguard and I feared it would fall out and I’d lose it, so I’ve mostly quit using it. Tim’s rigs solve both these problems with a good sized handle on the little drop-point knife and a strap to hold it in place. And most of all, yes, in a world where we feel blessed just to get a real person to talk to rather than a phone robot, having someone like Tim who clearly cares a lot about customer satisfaction, to the point he calls you back to check details (did that with me too) … well, you just want to reward that dying breed with your business. Trad archery and bowhunting is blessed with more of this good old-fashioned type American businessman and woman than any other realm I know of. Now go get some deer blood on it since you, unlike most of us, still have some season left. Farr West Leather will have a booth at the PBS hoorah in Portland in March.

David Petersen wrote: Trad archery and bowhunting is blessed with more of this good old-fashioned type American businessman and woman than any other realm I know of.

So true. Definitely one of the many cool aspects of this pursuit – all the small-scale, dedicated craftsmen.

I’ve seen Tim’s work – it’s excellent. It’s on my wish list one of these days, for sure.

Thanks for the link to their site. I have not seen anyone with a knife/armguard combination hunting. Great idea and craftsmanship.

Got mine yesterday. Here are a couple of snapshots. This thing is seriously “overbuilt” by today’s standards (like EFOC arrows :P). That’s to say, the quality is vintage, built for multiple lifetimes of rugged use. Excellent leather with rawhide sandwiched between so that the design, in this case a monster deer track, isn’t merely painted or stamped on, but is heavy rawhide showing through “windows” in the top piece of leather. So essentially it’s three thicknesses, though it quickly adapted to my forearm and holds the form. The buttons you hook the wrist straps over are buffalo nickels. While flashier knife handles are available, I actually intend to hunt with this thing so requested a dark wood handle (Honduran rosewood) to blend in better. The guard is wide enough that the knife can ride atop the arm, well out of string’s way. And it’s deer-skinning sharp. Just gorgeous all around, and at $145 no “bargain” by modern standards. Surely Tim could sell more “units” if he backed off on the “excess” quality a bit in order to lower the price, but I hope he never does and doubt he ever will. Do I “need” a fancy armguard with knife? No. But I’m sure tickled to have it and plan to pass it along to my grandson, with my favorite Shrew and other hunting heirlooms. I’ve never met Tim but his Farr West Leathers will have a booth at PBS in Portland next month and we’ll shake hands then. This level of “excess” quality is as rare today as an honest politician.

Wow! That is a seriously bad@$$ armguard. And I would have assumed it would have cost twice that much. Congrats! I will definitely put that on my wish list.

Thank you for the kind words! I apoligize that it has taken me so long to get on here and express my apperication. It would be foolish to complain for being busy, but sometimes it would be nice to have a little more time for interaction with customers!!!

Thanks,

Now that is ‘way cool’! Fantastic work, Tim.

Ed

These are awesome, and I’ve wanted one for a long while. I’m gonna order one this year for sure.

These armguards come WITH the knife?

Patrick — They come with or without knives and in several different patterns. More than one knife blade design and several handle choices also. Check the Farr West Leather website.

David Petersen wrote: Patrick — They come with or without knives and in several different patterns. More than one knife blade design and several handle choices also. Check the Farr West Leather website.

I did check it, but I don’t see any reference to the fact that the knife is included, let alone different options for the included knife. I do know of other companies who make similar armguards, and you send them your knife for them to fit it.

Patrick,

Yes, they do come with the knife. Currently I am getting most of my knives from Clarence Smitherman. Ocasionaly I have some that I get from other builders. The knives from Clarence are 1095 carbon steel, sometime I can get some in Damascus. They are for the most part handled in exotic or domestic hard woods, other materials are avaiable on a special order basis. If you want one to match your favorite bow, I can do that!

If you have any other questions please let me know.

Thanks,