Mississippiean Dirk
Best Knife of Show and Best Art Knife - 2019 Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa Show

Product Description for Mississippiean Dirk
Best Knife of Show and Best Art Knife - 2019 Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa Show

Maker: Kevin Harvey, M.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 100742
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 18.00 in.
Cutting edge length: 17.00 in.
Total length: 23.60 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.30 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.25 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.21 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.03 in.
Item weight: 25.40 oz.
Blade: Six bar composite damascus blade
Bolster: Heat colored textured titanium with engraved gold
Handle: Dyed and stabilized giraffe shin bone
Sheath: Hand stitched sheath by Wilburn Leather - American Alligator hornback with tail ridge
Description: Mastersmith Kevin Harvey is well known for his tremendous attention to detail -- only matched by his skill at design. This large Dirk is among his masterpieces. Given the tremendous skill and originality, it shouldn't be any surprise that it won Best Knife of Show and Best Art Knife at the 2019 Knifemakers' Guild of Southern Africa Show in Pretoria. This Dirk was inspired by American Folklore. Prior to 1840 (early Bowie knife days), Mississippi boat men would boast, "I am half-horse, half-alligator, and can whip any man on the Mississippi, by God!"
The 18" long single edge Dirk blade is a masterpiece in and of its own right. The damascus blade combines six composite bars of laddered transition pattern alternating between regular layers and W'd layers. A deep fuller travels along each side of the blade. The last 8 inches is double edged. The spine is beautifully engraved in a leaf pattern.
Handle scales are formed from dyed and stabilized giraffe shin bone. The front bolster is formed from textured and heat colored titanium. Rear bolsters, also formed from heat colored titanium, are inlaid with 24k gold and engraved. Scroll engraving surrounds the inlaid gold. A mythical half-alligator, half horse is meticulously engraved into the gold on each side. The titanium faux full tang frame is also hand engraved by Mastersmith Harvey.
This knife is accompanied by a custom sheath made by Francesca Ritchie (Wilburn) of Wilburn Leather. It is formed American Alligator. Tail ridges move into a dramatic hornback. Fitting this Dirk, Francesca's sheath is among the more dramatic sheaths I have ever come across.
Absolutely exceptional work throughout!


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