Forged Bowie with Mabandolo
Best Fighter - 2019 Durban Easter Knife Show

Product Description for Forged Bowie with Mabandolo
Best Fighter - 2019 Durban Easter Knife Show

Maker: Stuart Smith, J.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 100388
Blade length: 10.90 in.
Cutting edge length: 10.30 in.
Total length: 16.25 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.32 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.29 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.27 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.07 in.
Item weight: 15.80 oz.
Shipment weight: 18.2 oz.
Blade: Hand forged, differentially heat treated 1070 carbon steel
Bolster: Antiqued bronze fittings and hand domed pins
Handle: Curly mabondolo wood
Sheath: Hand stitched leather sheath
Description: Getting to meet bladesmith Stuart Smith was a real highlight of a recent trip to South Africa. Smith began making knives in 2000 after he took a class with Mastersmith Kevin Harvey. Stuart was immediately hooked and quite his job working as a salesman by 2004. Only a few years after that, in 2009, Stuart began teaching classes of his own. Among his many students is Neels van den Berg. Stuart has been very active over the years in the Southern African Bladesmiths Association (SABA) and the Knifemakers Guild of Southern Africa (KGSA). Stuart became an American Bladesmith Society Journeyman Smith in June 2019.
Given the exceptional work on this Bowie, it is no surprise that it won Best Fighter at the 2019 Durban Easter Knife Show.
Stuart forged the large clip point bowie blade from 1070 carbon steel. The blade is distal tapered, ensuring perfect balance. A differential heat treatment line travels along the blade, showing the transition between the keen, long lasting cutting edge and softer, supportive spine.
The faceted handle begins with a contoured, antiqued phosphor bronze guard and ferrule. It is meticulously fit to both blade and handle -- joints between materials are virtually impossible to detect. The handle is formed from a solid piece of curly mabondolo wood. This dense, resinous wood has a beautiful mix of warm brown and dark brown striations. The figure is similar to curly koa and ringed gidgee. A mixture of hand rubbed tung oil and Danish oil provides a silky smooth, timeless finish.
The knife is accompanied by a hand tooled leather sheath.
Exceptional work throughout! This is a really comfortable and well balanced knife!


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