Hunter/Utility with Mopane and African Blackwood

Product Description for Hunter/Utility with Mopane and African Blackwood

Maker: Stuart Smith, J.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 101129
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 4.20 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.75 in.
Total length: 9.00 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.00 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.16 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.16 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.06 in.
Item weight: 6.20 oz.
Shipment weight: 8 oz.
Blade: Two tone finished 75Cr1 tool steel
Bolster: Brass
Handle: Mopane and African blackwood
Sheath: Nordic style leather sheath
Description: Getting to meet bladesmith Stuart Smith was a real highlight of my 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 a Journeyman Smith in June 2019.
The two tone blade is made from 75Cr1 tool steel. This German-made carbon steel is very similar to 1075 carbon steel with additional chromium added to achieve a higher hardness during heat treatment. The result is a long lasting edge that can be easily sharpened to razor sharpness! The right ricasso features Stuart's maker mark.
The handle is sculpted from warm toned mopane wood (Colophospermum mopane). This exotic hardwood grows only in Southern Africa. It has a beautiful interlocked grain and a durability that is virtually unrivaled among hardwoods. A spacer formed from African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon) provides excellent contrast to the warm toned mopane. Brass and black fiber spacers will help the woods adjust to humidity and temperature changes. A brass bolster completes the handle.
To protect the knife during transportation a traditional Nordic leather sheath is included.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available