Lion Hunter with Curly Maple

Product Description for Lion Hunter with Curly Maple

Maker: Jean Wilke (click to see more by this maker)
Price: $350.00
Item num: 110931
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 5.50 in.
Cutting edge length: 5.30 in.
Total length: 9.90 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.05 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.08 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.08 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.02 in.
Item weight: 2.80 oz.
Shipment weight: 9.6 oz.
Blade: Hand forged 5160 carbon steel with a hand rubbed satin finish
Handle: Stabilized curly maple set on a distal tapered full tang
Sheath: Hand stitched leather custom sheath
Description: I was very excited when I first got a look at Jean Wilke's knives. Jean is a young custom knifemaker from Pretoria, South Africa. His knives are exceptionally well designed and tested. His attention to detail is clearly evident in each of his creations. He is currently working with Mastersmiths Kevin and Heather Harvey, travelling back and forth every two weeks, alternating between working at Heavin Forge and his home forge, Fire Goby Forge. It is very exciting to see a young maker with such tremendous talent.
This knife was inspired by the knife used by 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.
The 5-1/2 inch spear point blade is hand forged 5160 carbon steel. It was forged closely to shape, ensuring a keen, long lasting edge. A hand rubbed satin finish adds an heirloom quality to the blade. The top edge is fully sharpened.
Curly maple handle scales are set on the distal tapered full tang using stainless steel pins. White and black liners add a nice contrast and assist the wood to adjust to humidity and temperature changes.
The knife is accompanied by a hand stitched, tooled leather custom sheath.
Exceptional work throughout!


Availability: In stock. Usually ships in 1-2 business days