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Vintage Mel Pardue Custom Gentleman’s Folder – Hand-Engraved Scrollwork (#083)

$895.00

Melvin “Mel” Pardue (1938–2022) was a titan of the American custom knife movement. Originally hailing from Repton, Alabama, Pardue began crafting his first knives in the 1950s before turning his passion into a lifelong profession in the 1970s.

  • The Knifemakers’ Guild: Pardue joined the prestigious Knifemakers’ Guild in 1974, eventually serving as a Director and Vice President for a combined 35 years.

  • Industry Collaboration & Impact: While famous among custom knife collectors for his bench-made folders and fixed blades, Pardue gained worldwide renown through his 24-year design partnership with Benchmade Knife Company. He designed the world-famous Benchmade Griptilian, widely regarded as one of the most successful Everyday Carry (EDC) production folders in modern cutlery history.

  • Hall of Fame Honor: In 2019, Mel Pardue was officially inducted into the Blade Cutlery Hall of Fame at the Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia, cementing his status as one of the most influential custom knifemakers of all time.

Availability: 1 in stock

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Up for consideration is a magnificent example of bench-made American custom cutlery by Blade Cutlery Hall of Fame member Mel Pardue. Stamped directly on the ricasso with Pardue’s iconic mark and custom shop serial number PARDUE 083, this piece represents the pinnacle of late 20th-century artisan knife making.

Knife Features & Construction:

  • Blade: Features a pristine hand-rubbed satin finish on a classic spear/drop point blade profile, precision-ground with a razor-sharp edge.

  • Handle & Engraving: The standout element of this piece is the stunning full-coverage hand engraving. Executed with deeply carved traditional Western scrollwork and floral acanthus leaf motifs, the metal handle exhibits extraordinary depth, relief, and light reflection.

  • Mechanism: Designed as an ultra-clean gentleman’s folder with seamless fit-and-finish, tight lockup, and flush backspring integration.

  • Markings: Cleanly deep-stamped “PARDUE / 083” on the blade tang.

A true museum-grade collector’s piece, this folder captures Mel Pardue’s signature philosophy: blending refined ergonomic elegance with flawless bench mechanics.

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Vintage Mel Pardue Custom Gentleman’s Folder – Hand-Engraved Scrollwork (#083)Vintage Mel Pardue Custom Gentleman’s Folder – Hand-Engraved Scrollwork (#083)
$895.00

Availability: 1 in stock

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