Raised Clip Camp Knife with Black Ash Burl
Journeyman Smith Test Knife

Product Description for Raised Clip Camp Knife with Black Ash Burl
Journeyman Smith Test Knife

Maker: Josh Hults, J.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Price: $700.00
Item num: 108714
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 8.20 in.
Cutting edge length: 7.70 in.
Total length: 13.10 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.81 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.20 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.19 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 10.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 16.4 oz.
Blade: W2 carbon steel with a clay zone differential heat treatment
Bolster: Satin finished 416 stainless steel
Handle: Stabilized black ash burl
Description: This Raised Clip Camp Knife was made by Josh Hults. Josh grew up in South Mississippi on a small farm. Growing up in a rural area, if he wasn't working, most of his time was spent exploring in the woods or building something. Since he was a small child, he had a passion for making things -- from flint knives to bows and arrows, to tree houses and bridges. If he could scavenge the materials to attempt an idea, he would try it. He learned how to shoe horses from his father and by his late teen years, he had a small horse shoeing business established. His horse shoeing business prospered and over the years, he shod horses from coast to coast and from Canada to Florida. Today, he works as a fireman and builds knives in his spare time. He built his first knife in 2008 and was immediately hooked. In June of 2022, he earned his journeyman smith stamp.
This exceptional Camp Knife was part of Hults' JS test set. When a maker tests to become a journeyman, they create five knives that are the height of their work. These five knives are then judged by established masters to determine if the maker's work is up to snuff. Often, prospective journeymen spend 2-3 times as long creating these five knives as they would generally do, as they know that their work will be poured over by the masters. These five knives are generally considered to be among the most collectable knives of a maker's career.
The blade is hand forged W2 carbon steel. A differential heat treatment line separates the hard cutting edge from a soft and supportive spine. Josh borrowed his heat treatment technique from the world of Japanese swords. Prior to quenching, the spine was coated in clay, which acts as a heat sink. The result is a softer, supportive spine, with a hard, keen cutting edge. The undulating transition line is called a hamon. W2 carbon steel provides excellent edge holding and chip resistance. Hult's touchmark is on the left side of the ricasso.
The handle is stabilized black ash burl, hand contoured to provide a comfortable, non-slip grip. The handle is fit perfectly to a satin finished 416 stainless steel guard. This knife is sure to be an excellent companion while out in the field!
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: In stock. Usually ships in 1-2 business days