Integral Utility with Curly Tambooti

Product Description for Integral Utility with Curly Tambooti

Maker: Stuart Smith, J.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 107675
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 5.40 in.
Cutting edge length: 5.30 in.
Total length: 10.60 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.25 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.25 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.18 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 7.80 oz.
Shipment weight: 11.6 oz.
Blade: Hand forged Saben Silver Steel (Hrc 62-63)
Bolster: Integral silver steel
Handle: Stabilized curly tambooti with a hand domed bronze pin
Sheath: Hand stitched leather sheath
Description: Each time knives arrive from Journeyman Smith Stuart, I'm always excited to see what he has created. Stuart is creating some of the most dramatic hand forged knives currently being made in South Africa. Smith began making knives in 2000 after he took a class with Mastersmith Kevin Harvey. Stuart was immediately hooked and quit 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 forged the blade from Saben Silver Steel. This carbon steel can harden up to 63 Hrc and is known to be extremely tough and chip resistant. Saben Silver Steel is similar in composition to W2 carbon steel. The blade features an heirloom quality hand rubbed satin finish. Stuart's maker's mark is featured on the right side of the blade. His JS mark is on the left. The sweeping clip is fully sharpened.
An integral bolster moves into hand sculpted stabilized curly tambooti. Creating an integral bolster in a custom environment takes a particularly talented smith and Stuart was clearly up to the task. Integral bolsters provide exceptionally strong construction. The wood used for this handle is particularly dramatic, with exceptionally tight curls. This is the nicest piece of tambootie I have ever encountered. The handle is very comfortable and fills your hand nicely.
To protect the knife during transportation, a custom leather sheath is included. The sheath is hand stitched and tooled. It is made by Stuart’s wife, Michelle. Michelle’s work is as much of an artform as Stuart’s!
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available