Hamon Bowie with Ironwood

Product Description for Hamon Bowie with Ironwood

Maker: Stuart Smith, J.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 107220
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 12.30 in.
Cutting edge length: 11.60 in.
Total length: 18.80 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.84 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.28 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.21 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 20.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 34.2 oz.
Blade: Hand forged 1070 carbon steel with a clay zone heat treatment
Bolster: Textured bronze S guard
Handle: Arizona desert ironwood
Sheath: Leather sheath with ostrich shin leather inlay
Description: Stuart Smith began making knives in 2000 after he took a class with Mastersmith Kevin Harvey. He was immediately hooked and quit his job working as a salesman by 2004. Only a few years after that, in 2009, Stuart began teaching knifemaking 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). Stuart became an ABS journeyman smith in June of 2019.
This impressive bowie features a 12.3 inch hand forged blade. Stuart began with 1070 carbon steel. Stuart borrowed his heat treatment technique from the world of Japanese swords. The spine was coated with clay prior to heat treatment. This results in a softer, supportive spine, with a hard, keen edge. The undulating line (called a hamon) travelling along the blade shows the transition between the hard edge steel and the supportive spine. This technique combines durability with a long lasting edge. The blade features an heirloom quality hand rubbed satin finish.
The handle is Arizona desert ironwood. This dense wood has a swirling figure. The guard and ferrule are textured, antiqued bronze with polished 303 stainless steel spacers. The butt cap, finial, and escutcheon are antiqued brass.
To keep the knife close a hand, Stuart has included a custom sheath. It incorporates leather with ostrich shin leather inlay. The sheath was created by Michelle, Stuart's wife, and shows the same degree of artistry and skill as the bowie.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available