A compact and functional utility bushcraft knife, this clay tempered blade was hand forged from a stone cutting diamond saw blade. Natural texture from fire and hammer marks has been left on the surface of the blade. This piece is one of the first of a series combining the style and size of outdoor knives with the handle engineering of a traditional Japanese sword mount.
The tang and handle are constructed and fit in a similar manner as a Japanese tanto and a single bamboo peg holds the knife assembly together. In addition to the sense of beautiful simplicity, this design allows the knife to be taken apart for cleaning or major resharpening work.
The leaf shaped drop point blade is compact and purposeful, useful for the majority of small daily tasks, and the generously proportioned handle allows for larger work than a knife this size would normally perform. The maple handle was entirely hand shaped from a piece of discarded furniture built in 1968. It has a liner of oak that adds a subtle accent along the edges of the handle and has been dyed with red and black rust in vinegar, burnished with an antler tip, and coated with 100% pure tung oil.
The handcrafted carry sheath was designed and built by Regard Booy, a lower mainland leather artist with roots in South Africa, known for his hi-tech/low-tech design style and whimsical, earthy artwork. His unique “Bullfrog” sheath design features a wooden core, right and left hand configurations, as well as belt or scout carry positions. A handmade metal button offsets the warm, dark shades of vegetable tanned leather, and hand embossed artwork adorns the frog and both sides of the sheath. This is a beautiful piece of art and a conversation piece and should be seen in person for full effect.
Forged from a scrap left over from a large piece of public art in Victoria, the naval bronze guard compliments the dark toned handle. The blade is 3.25″ long and the overall length is just over 7.5″.
Material: Reclaimed stone cutting blade steel, scrap naval bronze, red bamboo, and reclaimed maple furniture
This piece is in a private collection in the Netherlands.
Mounting Process
