Cave Bear Damascus Bowie
Journeyman Smith Test Knife

Product Description for Cave Bear Damascus Bowie
Journeyman Smith Test Knife

Maker: David Mirabile (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 85908
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 8.70 in.
Cutting edge length: 8.40 in.
Total length: 14.50 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.87 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.29 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.22 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 14.16 oz.
Shipment weight: 22.8 oz.
Blade: Hand forged, textured damascus combining 1084 and L6 carbon steels
Handle: Oosic with a resin impregnated cord wrap
Sheath: Hand stitched leather sheath
Description: Journeyman Smith David Mirabile creates masterpieces with a unique style combining the materials and feel of the Pacific Northwest native peoples with techniques and styles from the Far East. This exquisite Bowie was made by David in 2004. It has been in a private collection and despite being many years old, by all appearances, Mirabile could have made it yesterday.
The Cave Bear Damascus Bowie was part of Mirabile'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.
The handle is formed from ancient oosic (walrus bone) which has been relieved and wrapped in leather cord approaching the blade. This shows off the caramel tones natural to the oosic, whereas in the relieved sections, lighter inner tones set off the tan wrap. The oosic swells at the end for a very comfortable and secure grip.
The damascus blade was forged very closely to shape, combining 1084 and L6 carbon steels. A long false clip and fighter blade allow for the forge texturing at the center of the blade. The swedge is brought just shy of fully sharpened whereas the cutting edge is razor sharp. The combination of hollow ground damascus and forged textured steel is captivating.
Excellent fit and finish throughout.


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