Drop Point Hunter with African Blackwood - Journeyman Smith Test Knife

Product Description for Drop Point Hunter with African Blackwood - Journeyman Smith Test Knife

Maker: Viktor De Bonte (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 112960
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 5.80 in.
Cutting edge length: 5.40 in.
Total length: 10.40 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.42 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.17 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.16 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.06 in.
Item weight: 8.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 16.2 oz.
Blade: Hand forged 52100 carbon steel with a hand rubbed satin finish
Bolster: Blackened 1018 steel with brass spacer
Handle: African blackwood
Sheath: Zipper pouch
Description: This exceptional hunting knife was custom made by Seattle bladesmith Viktor De Bonte. At just 10 years old, Viktor (b. 2006) began forging while volunteering at a local renaissance fair, where he was taught the basics of blacksmithing and bladesmithing. Over the next five years, he built up his own shop and skills with the help of the internet and many local makers, all of whom contributed greatly to his learning of this craft. In 2022, De Bonte travelled to Colorado to take the ABS Introduction to Bladesmith Class through Kilroy's Workship, under the tutelage of Mastersmith James Rodebaugh. Upon returning to Washington State, De Bonte took a private class with Mastersmith David Lisch. Both Lisch and Rodebaugh continue to be great inspirations and resources for De Bonte to this day. Currently, he works out of his home workshop and takes great pride in every knife he creates. Given the level of work, it is perhaps no surprise that he won 2nd place in the 2022 Fall Fantasy Knife Building Challenge and 3rd place in the Spring 2022 Dagger Building Challenge run by Tyrell Knifeworks. Victor achieved his Journeyman Smith ranking with the American Blade Society in June of 2025.
This hunting knife was part of Viktor'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 5-3/4 inch blade is hand forged 52100 carbon steel and features a meticulous hand rubbed satin finish. 52100 carbon steel is considered by many knifemakers and users to be among the very best steels used in high end knives. Viktor's touchmark is engraved on the left side of the blade.
The handle is hand contoured African blackwood. African blackwood is one of the densest woods in the world and is highly prized for its almost jet black appearance. A blackened 1018 mild steel guard and textured bronze spacer finish the handle.
A zipper case is included for safe storage.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available