Forged Utility with African Blackwood

Product Description for Forged Utility with African Blackwood

Maker: Kevin Harvey, M.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 98208
Blade length: 4.50 in.
Cutting edge length: 4.10 in.
Total length: 9.00 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.25 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.18 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.15 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.05 in.
Item weight: 6.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 8.2 oz.
Blade: Hand forged, differentially heat treated 5160 carbon steel
Handle: African blackwood
Sheath: Hand stitched cowhide sheath with embossed border
Description: When I recently visited Mastersmiths Kevin and Heather Harvey at their home in Belfast, South Africa, I was very pleased to see that had some of their knives available. Kevin and Heather teach bladesmithing courses, with students travelling from all over the world to learn their techniques. When I visited, they were teaching a six person, two week introduction to bladesmithing course -- with students coming from as far away as the Middle East. Kevin uses the Heavin Forge mark on his knives when he creates a knife while demonstrating for his classes. This is one such knife.
The 4-1/2 inch drop point blade was forged from 5160 carbon steel. It was forged closely to shape, ensuring a keen, long lasting edge. A differential heat treatment creates a knife with a strong edge, supported by the resilience of a softer spine.
The handle is made from African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon. The jet black wood is called black ivory in South Africa. It is native to the arid savannah regions of southern and central Africa. Though African blackwood is actually a rosewood (part of the dalbergia genus), it is the original ebony. Thousands of years ago, African blackwood was imported and used in ancient Egypt. Blackwood is more stable than true ebony woods and is resistant to movement and warping. It is among the hardest and densest of woods in the world. The wood scales are set on a distal tapered full tang using brass pins. The handle is nicely rounded for a secure, comfortable grip.
The knife is accompanied by a hand stitched, embossed cowhide sheath.


Availability: Not currently available