Mantis

Product Description for Mantis

Maker: Tom Sterling (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 1787
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 4.60 in.
Total length: 10.00 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.97 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.29 in.
Item weight: 5.60 oz.
Blade: Pressure flaked Nevada chalcedony
Handle: Pyrographed and polychromed boxwood, maple and ebony handle
Sheath: Black walnut presentation box
Description: The team of Tom Sterling and JP Higgins is a formidable force. Joe Higgins, who has been flint knapping knives for over 10 years, created the blade of this masterpiece with precision. This skill is matched in the detailed handle created by Tom Sterling, who has brought his attention to detail learned as an internationally known netsuke artist to this piece.
A praying mantis is carved onto the front with a centipede on obverse. Each are carved in highly detailed Japanese netsuke tradition by Tom Sterling. The figures show tremendous detail and lifelike characteristics..
The blade is knapped from heat treated chalcedony from an old Nevada mercury mining area. The peppermint candy colors are from mercuric oxide, enhanced by the heat treatment. Native Americans used this lithic material by preference for thousands of years due to its characteristics of extreme durability, sharpness, and beauty. They also heat treated the material since chalcedony is a member of the quartz family and required heat treating to become knappable. Excellent fit and finish throughout with tremendous detailing.


Availability: Not currently available