The D’Holder Natchez:
In February 2004, D's friend and hunting partner, Mitchell Windham was visiting in Peoria. During the visit, D picked up a piece of Fossilized Walrus Ivory and dropped it in Mitchell's lap, asking; "What do you think we should do with something like that?". It was mutually agreed that the knife would have to be a "hidden tang" knife, and simple, in order to best show the materials and workmanship. Mitchell had the concept of a slimmer clip point style blade with a formed handle without a butt plate. About mid-2004 the first "Mitchell's Clip" (see top photo below) came out of D's shop.
The first of what we now know as the “Natchez” model made it's appearance in January, 2005. The Natchez shares the same profile as the "Mitchell's Clip", but the Natchez has a slightly different handle treatment, usually having an Amber spacer with an Oosic spacer on either side of it.
This new model immediately gained wide acceptance, and after about a dozen or so were made, one of D’s dealers hung the tag “Natchez” on it, and the name stuck.
Since the introduction of the ‘Natchez’, this model has become one of the most popular models made by D, with hundreds being made and sold each year.
About a year or so ago (early 2006), D introduced two variants of the ‘Natchez’; the “Long Natchez” and the “Slim Natchez”.
In February of this year (2007), D introduced another variant, the “Fat Natchez”, (or as one person called it, the 'Fat Nat’!).
In April of this year (2007), the “Long Fat Natchez” was introduced.
Here is the very First "Mitchell's Clip" along with the latest "Mitchell's Clip"(the Damascus one) that D made for Mitchell - both these are in Mitchell's collection..
This knife is D's latest version - the Mitchell's Clip II (revised) - it's a long. fat model !!
Here are some photos of the knives (and, some sets) in this collection:
Mitchell's Clip Damascus, Premium Ironwood with engraving by Pat Holder.
Natchez - Premium Redwood Burl and Musk Ox, with Ironwood & Brass spacers
Natchez - Spalted Maple and Black Palm, with dual Oosic and Brass spacers
The First Western Canadian Cedar Burl and Strawberry Amber Natchez with Oosic spacers
One of the First Royal Russian Walnut Burl and Brown German Amber Natchez, with Oosic spacers
Long Natchez - Premium Redwood Burl and Fossilized Stellar Sea Cow, with Oosic spacers
Long Natchez and Slim Natchez set - Premium Redwood Burl and Fossilized Rhino Horn, with Oosic spacers
The First Natchez set - Natchez, Long Natchez & Slim Natchez - Spalted Box Elder, Fossilized Stellar Sea Cow, and Oosic
The First Two Fat Natchez made by D - Premium Redwood Burl and Brown German Amber/Musk Ox with Oosic
The First Long Natchez - Dyed Maple Burl and White Amber with Oosic spacers
Here is Mitchell in Africa.
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