Coffin Bowie with African Blackwood
Journeyman Smith Test Knife

Product Description for Coffin Bowie with African Blackwood
Journeyman Smith Test Knife

Maker: Mike Clark, J.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 110545
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 11.95 in.
Cutting edge length: 11.10 in.
Total length: 17.30 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.45 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.23 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.20 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 15.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 29.6 oz.
Blade: Hand forged 1084 carbon steel with a hand rubbed satin finish
Bolster: 416 stainless steel
Handle: African blackwood
Sheath: Tooled leather custom sheath
Description: I was excited when Mastersmith David Lisch introduced me to Mike Clark Jr back in 2018. Since then, his work has continued to show his tremendous attention to detail. Given the level of work, it is no surprise that Mike easily passed his JS Test at the 2019 Blade Show in Atlanta, GA.
This forged Bowie was part of Clark's JS test set. When a maker tests to become a journeyman, they create five knives that are the height of their work. These five knives are then judged by established masters to determine if the maker's work is up to snuff. Often, prospective journeymen spend 2-3 times as long creating these five knives as they would generally do, as they know that their work will be poured over by the masters. These five knives are generally considered to be among the most collectable knives of a maker's career. This Bowie has been in a private collection and has been meticulously cared for. Both the knife and sheath are in new condition and by all appearances, it could have been made yesterday.
The massive 12 inch, straight spine blade is hand forged 1084 carbon steel with a meticulous hand rubbed satin finish. 1084 carbon steel provides excellent edge holding and very high chip resistance making it perfect for hard use knives. The blade is flat ground and razor sharp. Mike's touchmark is on the left side of the blade.
The coffin handle is African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon). African blackwood is among the most dense, durable woods in the world and is highly prized for its jet black appearance. The guard is 416 stainless steel which prevents your hand from sliding over the blade during use. A central spacer of stainless steel is surrounded by heat blued steel providing excellent contrast to the guard and blackwood handle. A stainless steel finial completes the handle.
To keep the knife close at hand, a hand tooled leather custom sheath is included. The belt loop slides off allowing the knife to be removed from the belt without taking it out of the sheath.
Excellent work throughout!


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