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Bob has told me that he made about a dozen miniatures. He doesn't like making them, because they take almost as much time to make as it would a full size knife. But for me, he made three throughout our friendship: a Mini Darn Dao with Ivory scales; a Mini Darn Dao with Blackwood scales; and a Miniature Tanto with Blackwood scales. Through the support of a good friend, I was able to score the Miniature Tanto that was offered on Nordic Knives earlier this week. And I am forever grateful for his generosity. In my earlier post, I mentioned that the hamagiri tip and the tapered tang were two of the design elements that point to this being a Bob Lum original. Now that I have the piece in hand, I can add two more: the bolster shape and the angled spine treatment.

Two very unique knives by Bob was sold today at Nordic Knives. And thanks to David Harvey, owner of Nordic Knives, for allowing me to post the pictures of the Lums. 1) A small Deluxe American style Boot Knife with steel bolsters stag grips. Stamped "LUM" so it was made before Bob started using his "Chop" logo. Very beautiful  3 1/2" asymmetrical dagger ground blade. With a Bob made leather pouch sheath. Sold for $750. 2) A very very rare Deluxe Miniature Tanto with steel bolsters and ivory grips. 4 3/8" OAL with a 2 3/8" blade. While there is no maker's mark, the style and execution, points to Bob as the maker. The two definitive elements that confirms this as Bob's work for me is A) the Hamagiri tip, and B) the tapered tang. Plus, it matches a full sized version of a similar style tanto in my collection. The lack of a mark could mean that this was made before he started using the "Chop" logo, and probably did not have small enough l...

Few people knew that Bob makes miniatures. I only found out when I stumbled onto a Stag Handled Tanto Miniature in the hands of a Japanese collector. I then asked Bob to make me a few. Of course I had to have a Tanto, and one of the Grandmaster Darn Dao. They were made as a match set with African Blackwood handles. I then asked Bob to make one more Grandmaster Darn Dao, but to dress it up. He did so with Ivory handles. These are scaled replicas of his full size models; including such details as tapered tangs, full bolster, and even the full spine swedge he often did on his tantos (see photo below). #7, #8, and #9 (Top to bottom): #7: is an Ivory Handled Miniature Grandmaster Darn Dao. Blade length is 3.5", OAL of 5.5". #8: is an African Blackwood Handled Miniature Grandmaster Darn Dao. Blade length is 3.5", OAL of 5.5". #9: is a African Blackwood Handled Miniature Tanto. Blade length is 2.25", OAL of 4". Unfortunately, Bob did not enjoy making these, as t...