Ring Guard Bowie with Checkered Ironwood

Product Description for Ring Guard Bowie with Checkered Ironwood

Maker: Enso Forge (William Kalkbrenner) (click to see more by this maker)
Price: $1,250.00
Item num: 105213
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 9.20 in.
Cutting edge length: 8.60 in.
Total length: 14.70 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.75 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.21 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.16 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.10 in.
Item weight: 16.40 oz.
Blade: Hand forged W2 carbon steel with a clay zone heat treatment
Bolster: Gun blued mild steel
Handle: Hand contoured and checkered Arizona desert ironwood
Sheath: Display box
Description: William Kalkbrenner of Enso Forge is a 32 year old talented blacksmith and bladesmith from Pittsburgh, PA. He has been welding and working with metal since he was 14 years old and was a full time welder until he made his venture into full time knifemaking. William has an extremely high attention to the detail and builds knives that will be just as pleasurable to use as it is to look at. He uses the Enso sacred symbol in Zen Buddhism as his maker's mark. This symbol is traditionally drawn using only one brush stroke as a meditative practice in letting go of the mind and allowing the body to create, as the singular brush stroke allows for no modifications. While at first glance, the enso symbol appears no more than a misshapen circle, it symbolizes many things: the beauty in imperfection, the art of letting go of expectations, the circle of life, and connection. The Enso is a manifestation of the artist at the moment of creation and the acceptance of our innermost self. It symbolizes strength, elegance, and one-mindedness. An incomplete circle allows more movement for development as William is constantly improving his craft.
The 9.2" blade is hand forged W2 carbon steel. The blade was heat treated using a traditional Japanese clay zone heat treatment. This technique, known as honyaki, creates some of the longest lasting edges found anywhere. The ultra-hard edge steel is supported by the softer spine. The dramatic heat treatment line (called a hamon) shows the transition between the soft and hard steel. The ricasso features a hammered finish showing the knife's forging history.
The hand contoured handle is Arizona desert ironwood (Olneya tesota). The sides are hand checkered. Ironwood is among the most desirable woods used in knifemaking, highly prized for its durability and beauty. The forged ring guard is polished, gun blued mild steel. This style of guard provides a very secure grip and gives the knife perfect balance.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: In stock. Usually ships in 1-2 business days