Description
This design is based on a type of Japanese pocket knife and would traditionally be carried in the sleeve of a kimono or yukata. The clay tempered blade was hand forged from a large marine diesel engine valve and the handle is made from scraps of Yellow Cedar with Desert Ironwood accents. The contrast of wood and metal colours is striking and warm and the fit and finish is sleek and smooth.
Blade construction is muku and the hira-zukuri shape has excellent haniku for such a small knife. Hand forged from brass and silver soldered, the habaki is a bit longer than I would normally make it but it gives this short blade a bit of extra useable edge space. The hand carved handle has been sanded smooth and coated with pure tung oil for a totally natural finish. The blade is about 3″ long and the overall length is just under 7″.
Material: Reclaimed marine engine valve steel, reclaimed brass door push plate, reclaimed Yellow Cedar and Desert Ironwood
This piece is in a private collection in the USA.