Gentleman's Fighter (4-1/2 in)

Product Description for Gentleman's Fighter (4-1/2 in)

Maker: Ed Fowler, M.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 94106
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 4.50 in.
Total length: 8.75 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.80 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.22 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.20 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.17 in.
Item weight: 5.20 oz.
Shipment weight: 7.0 oz.
Blade: Hand forged 52100 carbon steel with a low temp triple quench and triple temper for high performance
Bolster: Brass
Handle: Sheep horn
Sheath: Waxed harness leather sheath
Description: Mastersmith Ed Fowler's knives are the hallmark of a perfected high performance knife. Ed's heat treat creates some of the sharpest and most long lasting edges found anywhere. This gent's fighter was made in the spring of 1998, shortly after Ed switched from 5160 to 52100 carbon steel forged directly from ball bearings. The top of the maker's mark is oriented toward the guard. It has been in a private collection and has been well cared for. It is in new condition, by all appearances Ed could have made it yesterday! Ed's Gentleman's Fighters are particularly rare, with only a small handful ever having been made.
The blade was forged at low temperature from 52100 carbon steel. This is a high carbon, high chrome steel in a very pure form and results in a knife steel that is as good as it gets. At this time, Ed was literally forging his knives from ball bearings. It was subjected to over 50 low temperature thermal cycles, which requires a lot of hand hammer work. The numerous thermal cycles and high degree of reduction by forging has produced a blade that manifests fine grain and a microstructure known as banding, a property of steel that results in high tensile strength and low resistance to compression. The result is a blade that you can count on through tough use.
The blade was hardened three times in 24 hour intervals, then tempered three times -- again, in 24 hour intervals. These hardening and tempering methods were carefully developed for 52100 carbon steel, resulting in a blade that is easy to sharpen, yet holds an edge better than any I have tested.
The sheep horn handle fits comfortably into the hand. The horn was harvested by Ed from a Rambouillet buck sheep, processed, and aged for 7 years to result in a very stable handle. When wet, sheep horn does not become slippery and it is amazingly durable. The spacer is created by taking two sheep horn end cuts and aligning them outward, producing a very pleasing effect. The brass guard features Ed's Willow Bow engraving.
The knife is accompanied by a hand stitched 14 oz. leather sheath. Excellent fit and finish throughout.


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