Forged Bowie with Maple Burl

Product Description for Forged Bowie with Maple Burl

Maker: Stuart Smith, J.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 102593
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 12.80 in.
Cutting edge length: 12.00 in.
Total length: 19.00 in.
Blade height (at heel): 2.05 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.35 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.26 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.07 in.
Item weight: 27.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 34.4 oz.
Blade: Hand forged 52100 carbon steel
Bolster: 304 stainless steel
Handle: Stabilized maple burl
Sheath: Hand stitched leather sheath
Description: Getting to meet with Journeyman 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 an ABS journeyman smith in June of 2019.
Stuart forged this massive 12.8 inch bowie knife 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. The blade features a hand rubbed satin finish. At just over 1/3 inch thick, this massive bowie begs to be swung through the air!
The handle is formed from dyed and stabilized maple burl. The fascinating wood has tremendous figure. The guard, ferrule, pommel, and end nut are 304 stainless steel.
This knife is accompanied by a custom hand stitched sheath made from veg tanned cow hide.
Exceptional work throughout!


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