This knife was a collaboration with Coastal Carvings artists Jeremy Humpherville (concept, design, assembly), Bert Tallman (inlay, silver smithing), and Brenda Dowedoff (beading). This piece is currently on display at Coastal Carvings Gallery for their 20th anniversary event from May 9-11, 2025. The collaboration will also be highlighted in the upcoming Season 2 of the Coastal Carvings Documentary series set to air on APTN.
The walrus tusk was gifted to Jeremy by a client who’s husband had received it for his participation in patrolling the Bering Sea (1952). Over the last 20 years since Jeremy has worked on the concept of the knife and blade. With the design refined, he approached Dave to craft the unique blade in 2012.
Forged from a reclaimed antique Model T leaf spring, Jeremy’s original blade design incorporates the best characteristics of a traditional ulu into a skinning knife. Some of the hammer marks and century-old rust pitting are left visible on the blade. The temper of this high carbon steel blade has been left relatively hard and is well suited to users who require a good edge and are willing to take care of it.
An heirloom piece resulting from the collaborative effort of multiple artists and craftsmen working across a decade to create meaningful, functional art that can be passed on for generations.
The cross section of the turquoise inlaid walrus tusk handle is quite similar to a classical sword, the silver ferrule has proportions almost identical to a Japanese fuchi. The fringed leather sheath is adorned with highly intricate beadwork of a buffalo.
Specifications
The blade is just under 4″ long and 2.75″ deep, the overall length is about 8.75″, and the spine is about 5.5mm thick.
Materials: reclaimed Model T leaf spring steel, walrus tusk, silver, turquoise, glass beads, leather
This piece is in a private collection on Vancouver Island.
Process
This piece was forged in 2012 in a charcoal fire using a hand hammer, shaped with files and polished with stones. Hardening was done using the traditional Japanese yaki-ire technique, used historically for sword making.
