Damascus S-Guard Bowie with Curly Koa

Product Description for Damascus S-Guard Bowie with Curly Koa

Maker: Stuart Smith, J.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 109254
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 11.40 in.
Cutting edge length: 10.50 in.
Total length: 17.20 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.94 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.28 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.20 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.06 in.
Item weight: 22.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 28.2 oz.
Blade: Damascus forged from 1095 and 15N20 carbon steels
Bolster: Fire black finished, textured mild steel
Handle: Stabilized curly koa
Sheath: Cowhide custom sheath with ostrich shin leather overlay
Description: Stuart 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 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.
Stuart hand forged this massive bowie blade from his own damascus. It is high contrast, extremely detailed, and shows tremendous skill at the forge. The spine features a long clip that is fully sharpened. By forging from carbon steels, Smith ensures excellent edge holding. The blade is flat ground with some convexity at the cutting edge for additional chip resistance.
The handle is a beautiful piece of curly koa that combines light toned sapwood with dark toned heartwood. Koa (Acacia koa) is a beautiful exotic wood that only grows on the Hawaiian islands. It is one of the most desirable woods in the world – and the piece used for this bowie is among the most dramatic sections of koa I have ever encountered. The S-guard, spacer, and end cap are matching fire blacked mild steel. A polished nickel silver ring and spacer complete the handle.
To keep the knife close at hand, a leather sheath custom made by Michelle, Stuart's wife is included. The front of the sheath features an ostrich shin leather overlay.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available