Damascus Hunter/Utility with Ironwood

Product Description for Damascus Hunter/Utility with Ironwood

Maker: Stuart Smith, J.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 101131
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.50 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.40 in.
Total length: 8.50 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.95 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.18 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.17 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 5.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 7.6 oz.
Blade: Damascus hand forged from 1070 and 15n20 carbon steels
Bolster: Phosphor bronze carved by Tiaan Burger
Handle: Arizona desert ironwood
Sheath: Nordic style leather sheath with ostrich shin leather overlay
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.
Stuart forged this drop point hunter blade from 1070 and 15N20 carbon steels, ensuring a keen, long lasting edge. The high contrast damascus pattern shows tremendous control at the forge. The blade is distal tapered, ensuring perfect balance. The left side of the blade features his J.S. stamp. On the right is his maker's mark.
The handle is made from a beautiful section of Arizona desert ironwood (Olneya tesota). The wod has stunning interlocked grain structure and features a range of colors from dark brown to near black. Desert ironwood is a rare wood that is only found in the valleys of the Sonoran Desert below 2,500 foot elevation. It is among the most desirable of exotic woods used for knives. The handle is finished with a phosphor bronze bolster hand carved by Tiaan Burger.
To protect the knife during transportation, a Nordic style leather sheath is included. It is made from cowhide and overlaid with exotic ostrich shin leather.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available