iKnife Collector
The online community of knife collectors, A Knife Family Forged in Steel
Mountain Man Longhunter Bushcraft Bowie's
I've always had a "older" soul. Seemed born for another time. So when I got into knifemaking I naturally gravitated towards an older style. Natural materials like wood and antler just spoke my language. Over the years I saw the trend for the "bushcraft knife", a utilitarian blade that usually came with a ferro rod to start the camp fire.
One day I had a bright idea, do a Bushcraft knife but one that looked like it was from 1800 rather than a modern kitchen drawer.
The first one here was made from a 1960's vintage K&F mill file. At the time of manufacture these files (formerly known as Kearney & Foot) was a regional brand of Nicholson and used the same alloy as their other brands. This steel has around 1.3% carbon. The sheath holds a fire steel, a common piece of kit for anyone traveling as far back as Roman times. This fire steel was forged from a Simmonds mill file. The sheath also carries a pouch that holds the flint.
Since the sheath has a double hold down the knife can be carried upside down on the back, at the side or across the front depending on the need.
I also had a wild hair to do one in Damascus. You'll notice the thicker, dark line in the Damascus. That was an old Nicholson file I added to the billet of 1984 and 15n20.
The fire steel was forged from a Damascus Billet.
Replies to This Discussion
-
2021 CalendarPermalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on -
That's definitely a work of art, James. Very cool.
-
KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by James McClendon on -
Thank you!
J.J. Smith III said:That's definitely a work of art, James. Very cool.
-
FeaturedPermalink Reply by dead_left_knife_guy on -
I'm not usually a Damascus guy, but this one is beautiful! And I especially appreciate that quillion guard!
-
KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by James McClendon on -
Thank you!
dead_left_knife_guy said:I'm not usually a Damascus guy, but this one is beautiful! And I especially appreciate that quillion guard!
whiteriverknives.com
Latest Activity
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives replied to black mamba knives's discussion Anyone else noticing printed "Damascus" creeping into the collectible side of the hobby?
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives replied to black mamba knives's discussion Anyone else noticing printed "Damascus" creeping into the collectible side of the hobby?
© 2026 Created by Jan Carter.
Powered by
