Lion Hunter (EDC Utility) with Maple Burl

Product Description for Lion Hunter (EDC Utility) with Maple Burl

Maker: Rucus Coetzee (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 107218
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 5.60 in.
Cutting edge length: 5.30 in.
Total length: 10.10 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.10 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.16 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.03 in.
Item weight: 5.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 7.8 oz.
Blade: Hand forged, antiqued O1 carbon steel
Bolster: Textured and antiqued brass
Handle: Dyed and stabilized maple burl
Sheath: Hand tooled leather belt sheath
Description: Rucus Coetzee began making knives in 2010, when he started working at Heavin Forge under ABS Mastersmiths Kevin Harvey and Heather Harvey. He began forging blades immediately and joined the Knifemakers' Guild of Southern African in September of 2011 (making him -- at the age of 20 -- the youngest member -- an honor previously held by Mastersmith Kevin Harvey). In 2013, he started his own workshop and began creating many different styles of knives and blades from hunting knives to kitchen knives, though Rucus' interest in bladesmithing comes from his love for history and historical weapons. He spends a lot of time researching these weapons, then creates one of his own. They are never 100% copies of originals. Instead, he tries to introduce his own style into the historically inspired piece.
This knife was inspired by the knife used by the Kruger National Park's first game ranger, Harry Wolhuter. Wolhuter used the knife in 1903 to kill a lion that attacked him while on patrol in the park. His memories of this event (along with others) can be read in his autobiography, Memories of a Game Ranger. It’s a fascinating read!
The 5-2/3 inch spearpoint blade was forged to shape from O1 carbon steel. The steel has an amazing pattern, grain that is visible on the antiqued surface. This banding occurs in certain steels such as O1 and 52100 when the blade is forged in a particularly tight temperature range (effectively having hundreds of normalization cycles.
Maple burl handle scales are set on a distal tapered full tang, ensuring a perfect balance. The stabilized wood was double dyed for a particularly dramatic appearance. Textured brass bolsters are dovetailed to the scales for a perfect fit.
The knife is accompanied by a hand tooled leather custom belt sheath.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available