Aquila
Aquila
- Size: Length overall: 9.5" (24.1 cm), Blade Length: 5.0" (12.7 cm), Thickness: .202" (5.1 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 7.5 oz. (213 grams) Sheath: 4.8 oz.(136 grams)
- Blade: CPMS30V Martensitic High Vanadium Stainless Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C60, satin finished
- Fittings/Bolsters: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, mirror polished
- Handle: Polished Blue, Black G10 Fiberglass Epoxy Laminate
- Sheath: Hand-Stamped Basketweave 9-10 oz. Leather Shoulder
- Knife: The Aquila is named for a stellar
constellation and also the Roman god Jupiter's eagle. The blade
shape is straight and determined, and one can see why the eagle
would be my inspiration for this pattern. I made this knife with a
blade of CPMS30V, a three percent vanadium powder metal technology
stainless tool steel, chosen for its extreme wear resistance. Since the powder
steel high tech process yields plenty of vanadium carbides in the
cutting edge, this steel offers one of the longest lasting cutting
edges in the fine handmade knife world. Since this steel can not be
mirror polished, I finished the blade with a smooth and clean satin
finish that will be easy to care for. The hollow grinds are deep and
well-matched, evenly and gently radiused for great strength at the
blade-to-handle junction. The edge terminates with a deep and
elegant choil and the blade is thinly ground for decades of service, even
after many sharpenings. The geometry combined with the steel type
creates a knife blade that will last generations with nominal care.
This stainless steel is also very corrosion resistant and easy to
clean and keep clean. The blade has spine filework through the fully
tapered tang in a gentle vine pattern, and the blade is bolstered
with zero-care 304 austenitic high nickel, high chromium stainless
steel, simply the toughest, most corrosion resistant stainless steel
fitting material. This is the same steel used to make tough
stainless nuts, bolts, and fasteners. The bolsters are smooth,
polished, radiused for comfort, and the rear bolster has a 5/16"
chamfered lanyard hole through the tang for security if needed. The
dovetailed bolsters bed a pair of pinned and secure G10
fiberglass-epoxy laminate waterproof handle scales, a very tough,
hard and reinforced manmade material that will last indefinitely.
The deep blue and black layers are distinctive and bold, and the G10
is smoothly polished for comfort. The knife is balanced just in
front of the scale to front bolster union and feels great in the
hand. This knife is an extremely useful
and durable medium-sized tool that will be the first choice for most
cutting chores, as well as being a finely made work of handmade art.
- Sheath: The sheath had to be as tough
and long lasting as the knife, so I made this one in hand-stamped
and tooled 9-10 oz. leather shoulder, deep and protective of both
the razor edge and the wearer. This is a high back style of sheath
that allows a lower wear on the belt, while protecting the wearer
from the handle butt. The pattern tooled is a clean and
straightforward basketweave, elegant and
complete, even on the sheath back. The sheath is dyed
black, hand-stitched with tough polyester sinew, lacquered and
sealed.
- A very fine, tough and useful knife with tremendous wear resistance and high longevity.
Thanks, D. S.!
Hi Jay,
Finally got my knife. I had to pay another $270 customs duty. But it was still worth it as this knife is a thing
of beauty, it fell into my hand as it was made for me. The file work is fantastic and it is perfectly balanced.
Looks magnificent and feels great when I hold it. Also the sheath is spectacular, you are a true master of this
and I look forward to working with you closely in the future on custom models for my collection.
Thank you.
Best Regards,
--D.
Please click on thumbnail photos