Damascus Vest Dagger with Swordfish Bill

Product Description for Damascus Vest Dagger with Swordfish Bill

Maker: Stuart Smith, J.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 105408
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 7.80 in.
Cutting edge length: 7.25 in.
Total length: 12.50 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.65 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.20 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.18 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.08 in.
Item weight: 6.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 8.8 oz.
Blade: Damascus hand forged from 75Ni8 and 1080 carbon steels
Bolster: Fileworked mild steel
Handle: Swordfish bill scales set on a fileworked steel frame
Sheath: Black leather
Description: Stuart Smith began making knives in 2000 after he took a class with Mastersmith Kevin Harvey. He was immediately hooked and quit his job working as a salesman by 2004. Only a few years after that, in 2009, Stuart began teaching knifemaking 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.
This Vest Dagger has a gentlemanly feel that evokes a simpler, earlier time. The slender blade and handle allows the knife to be easily conceal carried and always at the ready for those trips out into the unknown.
The damascus blade is hand forged 1080 and 75NI8 carbon steels The complex damascus pattern is extremely engaging and nicely complements the shape of the blade. The blade is ground with perfect symmetry. Daggers are one of the hardest blades to grind because it becomes extremely obvious if the blade is not ground perfectly. Stuarts mark is on the ricasso of the knife and his J.S. mark is on the reverse side.
Swordfish bill scales are secured to the mild steel frame using hand domed silver pins. The steel frame is blackened and rope fileworked by hand. Coined 303 stainless steel spacers surround a central blackened mild steel spacer. The handle is finished with a blackened mild steel guard with matching rope filework.
To keep the knife close at hand, a black leather sheath is included.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available