Hunter (Model LR) with Ironwood

Product Description for Hunter (Model LR) with Ironwood

Maker: Stuart Smith, J.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 101957
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 4.70 in.
Cutting edge length: 4.00 in.
Total length: 9.60 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.06 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.23 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.17 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 8.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 10.6 oz.
Blade: Hand forged 52100 carbon steel with a hand rubbed satin finish
Handle: Arizona desert ironwood
Sheath: Black tooled leather
Description: Getting to meet with bladesmith Stuart Smith is a real highlight of my trips 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 hand forged the drop point blade from 52100 carbon steel. This high performing steel is considered to be among the best steels (if not the very best) by many knifemakers and knife users. Makers such as Mastersmiths Bill Burke, Bob Kramer, and Ed Fowler have pioneered this long edge holding steel. It features an heirloom quality hand rubbed satin finish and is distal tapered, ensuring perfect balance.
The handle is made from a beautiful section of Arizona desert ironwood (Olneya tesota). The wood has stunning interlocked grain structure and features a range of colors from red/brown to jet 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 polished bronze guard that ensures that the hand will not slip over the blade.
The knife is accompanied by a hand stitched and tooled black leather sheath.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available