Tabby Shop Cat Folder
Mastersmith Test Knife

Product Description for Tabby Shop Cat Folder
Mastersmith Test Knife

Maker: Andrew Meers, M.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 95168
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.75 in.
Total length: 8.90 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.82 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.10 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.07 in.
Item weight: 5.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 8.4 oz.
Blade: Gordian's Knot composite Ws damascus forged from 1084 and 15N20 carbon steels
Handle: Mild steel with silver and gold inlay
Style: Folding liner lock
Description: Mastersmith Andrew Meers is a talented knifemaker originally from Boston, where he studied under Mastersmith JD Smith. A graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, he has been a part-time knifemaker and hopes to go full time. Given the skill shown in this exceptional folder, it seems impossible that he would not succeed! Andrew won the Makers' Choice and Best of Show at the 2015 BladeGallery International Knife Show. This folder is one of the five knives that Andrew submitted when he tested and became a Master Smith in June, 2015. These five knives are generally considered to be the most collectible knives of a maker's career. He kept this exceptional folder aside and only recently decided to sell it. It is a master work in every sense of the term.
A unique knife at very first sight, the slim handle is made from textured steel. The pivot is created from Andrew's own accordian damascus steel. The steel scales are set on 308 stainless steel liners, which in turn surround the textured backbar.
The blade shows off tremendous skill at the forge. Andrew combined 1084 and 15N20 carbon steels into a beautiful, mutli-bar damascus he calls Gordian's Knot. The blade is easily opened using the textured thumb stud. Set on each side of the stud are inlays of 24kt gold. Andrew's mark is set on the left ricasso -- also in 24k gold. The harpoon tip blade features a raised clip, which moves into a mune. This culminates in textured, inlaid 24kt gold.
While Andrew was studying bladesmithing, there was a tabby cat that hung around the shop where he worked. Here, he has immortalized this playful cat. On the left scale, a the cat is inlaid and meticulously carved in silver. It is shown lying on its back, playfully batting at the air. Its eyes are inlaid in 24kt gold. The right scale shows the tabby chasing a string. Both the string and cat are inlaid and carved in silver. Again, the eyes are inlaid in 24kt gold. At the end of the handle, a compartment is revealed by pivoting the damascus cover. Revealed underneath is the ball of yarn inlaid and carved in silver. The backbar is inlaid with seven cubic zirconia at the front and culminates in three at the back where it is pierced to form a lanyard loop
This is an amazing work of art and tremendously inspiring! Words cannot do this knife justice. It is clear why Andrew Meers has quickly become among my favorite makers.


Availability: Not currently available