The Violin from Night Watch Knives is at least a step or two beyond the average EDC knife. It’s sophisticated and classy, yet eminently useable.
Night Watch Knives is owned and run by Alex Harrison. I’ve said on a few occasions that he’s a far more talented knife maker at this stage of his career than he has any right to be. Part of that comes from a dedicated work ethic, and part of it stems from his keen attention to the little things. He is a law enforcement detective in his day job. Just as with investigations, details matter when it comes to knife-making.
Harrison has also taken the time and initiative to partner with several other knife makers over the years, either inviting them to his shop or traveling to theirs. The intention isn’t just camaraderie but opportunities to watch them work and pick up little tricks and ideas to add to his own repertoire.
Violin Design Scheme
I asked Harrison about the design process of the Violin.
He said, “The Violin is a classic example of what happens when I have a concept in my head that I can’t stop chasing. I probably went through half a dozen revisions before I landed on the final pattern.”
The basic concept is a classic bird and trout knife combined with an incredibly comfortable handle. It has delicate, almost feminine lines. It also possesses a deadly appearance. The Violin is definitely not a knife to be taken lightly.
As Harrison puts it, the Violin is “Razor sharp, lightning fast, and unapologetically beautiful.”
Harrison is a big fan of Jonathan Maberry’s Joe Ledger novels and named this knife after one of the characters in that series. Rumor has it that another of Harrison’s knives may be making an appearance in an upcoming Ledger novel.
Violin Specifications
The Violin is 7.5 inches from end to end and has a 3.25-inch blade. The finish is an acid etch that Harrison calls “War Wash.” Until recently, he was using AEB-L steel. He’s in the process of moving to MagnaCut steel.
This is a thin knife, with a blade thickness of just 0.13-inch at the spine. There is some light jimping just ahead of the gorgeous guard. The Micarta handle is 4.25 inches long and contains a subtly tapered tang. There’s enough real estate on the handle for a comfortable grip, even for larger hands.
It arrives hair-popping sharp right out of the box. What’s particularly nice is that the blade’s edge is the only sharp area of the knife. Every other component, from the handle to the spine, is engineered for comfort.
The Violin comes with a sturdy leather sheath. It isn’t fancy, but it does the job very well.
Violin Performance
Here’s the thing about the Violin. It will hold up to just about anything you want to toss its way. However, this isn’t the type of knife that you’d necessarily choose for fieldwork. It’ll do it quite admirably, don’t get me wrong. But this is more the type of knife that you’d reserve for office carry or perhaps special occasions. Let’s face it, a knife this beautiful deserves to be seen.
The Violin performs like a Stradivarius. You can order a custom Violin by contacting Night Watch Knives. Otherwise, you can find them in various configurations at DLT Trading.
