Bowie with Curly Koa - 5160

Product Description for Bowie with Curly Koa - 5160

Maker: Jan Vaterlaus, J.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 113631
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 6.60 in.
Cutting edge length: 6.00 in.
Total length: 11.40 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.37 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.17 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.09 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.01 in.
Item weight: 6.80 oz.
Shipment weight: 9.6 oz.
Blade: Hand forged 5160 carbon steel with a hand rubbed satin finish
Bolster: 416 stainless steel with a fileorked brass spacer
Handle: Stabilized curly koa with chittum burl accent plugs
Sheath: Pouch style tooled leather custom sheath
Description: Journeyman Smith Jan Vaterlaus (b.1963) is an Idaho knifemaker known for forging durable, high-performance knives built for extreme outdoor use. Inspired by the rugged wilderness of his home state and his experience as a hunting guide in Alaska, Jan crafts blades with a focus on reliability, longevity, and natural materials. His pursuit of perfection led him to train under ABS Mastersmith Jim Crowell. Jan’s knives are proven hard-use tools — one is even credited with saving a biologist’s life during a grizzly attack. They embody his philosophy of creating knives that excel in the harshest conditions. Jan achieved his Journeyman Smith ranking in June of 2025.
The clip blade is hand forged 5160 carbon steel and features a meticulous hand rubbed satin finish. 5160 provides a long lasting edge that resists chipping. The blade is flat ground and razor sharp. It combines exceptional edge holding with durability and ease of sharpening. Jan's Broad Canyon touchmark is engraved on the right side of the blade.
The handle is hand contoured curly koa wood (acacia koa). This stabilized wood is only found on the Hawaiian Islands and is one of the most desired woods used in knifemaking. Its chatoyant curly figure is unrivaled. Chittum burl accent plugs surround the brass pin. The 416 stainless steel and fileworked brass guard protects your hand from sliding forward.
The knife is accompanied by a hand-stitched, pouch-style, leather custom sheath.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available