Black Mulga Bowie
Journeyman Smith Test Knife

Product Description for Black Mulga Bowie
Journeyman Smith Test Knife

Maker: Bruce Barnett (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 89241
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 9.50 in.
Total length: 14.90 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.55 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.21 in.
Item weight: 14.00 oz.
Blade: Hand forged, differentially heat treated5160 carbon steel
Bolster: Silicon bronze guard
Handle: Sculpted black mulga wood
Description: Each year, at Blade Show, bladesmiths test to join the ranks of journeymen and masters. Five knives are made by each applicant that are the height of their work at the time. These knives are judged by Mastersmiths on fit and finish, as well as general artistry. Each must be forged to shape. The standards are exacting. The five journeyman smith test knives are often considered to be the most collectible work of a maker's career. With this exceptional bowie, Bruce Barnett joined the ranks of ABS Journeyman Smith at the 2011 Blade Show.
Bruce Barnett is a Western Australian knifemaker living in the hills of Perth. Bruce is one of the fine Australian makers who is drawing the attention of the knifemaking world to the wealth of knifemaking talent in his country. Bruce's attention to detail and fine design aesthetic is clearly apparent in this elegant and high performing bowie knife.
This bowie features a 9-1/2 inch carbon steel blade hand forged from 5160 carbon steel. The blade is convex ground and features a triple quench and triple temper for optimal edge holding. A differential heat treatment line is clearly evident on the blade. This shows the division between the soft, supportive spine, and the ultra-hard edge steel. The result: superior edge holding with exceptional durability.
The silicon bronze guard is precision fit to the blade and is followed by a black fiber spacer. The black fiber assists the handle to adjust to temperature and humidity changes. The handle is formed from black mulga wood. Black mulga is an acacia, like koa, but it is much harder -- nearly the hardness of desert ironwood. The curly grain is fine and close set, with rich dark chocolate and walnut tones. It comes from the arid outback of Western Australia, and is rarer than snakewood. The handle is completed with a bronze pin. Excellent work throughout.


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