Battle Mountain Hunter

Product Description for Battle Mountain Hunter

Maker: Tom Sterling (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 2741
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 4.31 in.
Total length: 10.33 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.75 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.41 in.
Item weight: 5.28 oz.
Blade: Percussion flaked Battle Mountain chalcedony
Handle: Washington Pacific coast yew, black walnut, desert ironwood, and rawhide
Description: This is utility-style hunter was percussion flaked from heat treated chalcedony from near Battle Mountain, Nevada. This particular chalcedony occurs as a mercury bearing ore and was used by Native Americans for tools for many thousands of years. Particularly difficult to heat treat because of variable results and mercury out-gassing during heating, it is an exceptionally durable material for stone tools.
The semi-traditional handle has been adapted for modern use. This piece is designed to be used out in the field. The knapped edge is tremendously sharp and continues to reveal a sharpened surface as it abrades. The wide, flattened butt is useful for blunt dissection during skinning. Tools of this nature are amazingly useful for skinning jobs since the serrated edge easily separates the hide from flesh and cuts connective tissue better than steel. Unlike steel, a flint knife will seldom cut the hide. The stone edge will also stay sharper considerably longer than steel.
The handle is an assemblage of Washington Pacific coast yew and black walnut woods and is ornamented with desert ironwood round inlays.
The team of Tom Sterling and JP Higgins is a formidable force. Joe Higgins, who has been flint knapping knives for over 10 years, created the blade of this masterpiece with precision. This skill is matched in the detailed handle created by Tom Sterling, who has brought his attention to detail learned as an internationally known netsuke artist to this piece.


Availability: Not currently available