San Francisco Bowie with Elk Antler

Product Description for San Francisco Bowie with Elk Antler

Maker: Stuart Smith, J.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 101508
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 7.20 in.
Cutting edge length: 6.60 in.
Total length: 12.45 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.30 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.26 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.21 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.06 in.
Item weight: 14.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 15.6 oz.
Blade: Hand forged 1070 carbon steel with a differential clay zone heat treatment
Bolster: O1 tool steel oval guard
Handle: Elk antler with a frame handle
Sheath: San Francisco style leather sheath with an antler button
Description: Each time knives arrive from Journeyman Smith Stuart, I'm always excited to see what he has created. Smith began making knives in 2000 after he took a class with Mastersmith Kevin Harvey. Stuart was immediately hooked and quite his job working as a salesman by 2004. Only a few years after that, in 2009, Stuart began teaching classes of his own. Among his many students is Neels van den Berg. Stuart has been very active over the years in the Southern African Bladesmiths Association (SABA) and the Knifemakers Guild of Southern Africa (KGSA). Smith has a tremendous intrinsic sense for design that shines through his creations.
The San Francisco Bowie evokes knives of the 1890s. This golden age of American knifemakers created some of the most dramatic and elegant knives of our land. This knife made by Stuart Smith is reminiscent of this earlier era when a man needed to have a knife at his side (or even in his boot!) for added protection (or offense!). During this time of card sharks and wild dreams, the distinction between a genteman and a scoundrel was often blurred.
Stuart forged the spear point blade from 1070 carbon steel. Borrowing a technique from Japanese swords, he created a differential clay zone heat treatment. The undulating heat treatment line is called a gunome hamon. By distal tapering the blade, Smith ensures a perfect balance. The right ricasso features Stuart's makers mark. The left ricasso features his JS stamp.
The handle is formed from elk antler set on an O1 tool steel frame.
The knife is accompanied by a hand stitched San Francisco style leather sheath with an antler button.
Exceptional work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available