Calisto
"Calisto" Custom Knife
- Size: Length overall: 8.0" (20.3 cm), Blade Length: 3.75" (9.5 cm), Thickness: .191" (4.8 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 6.6 oz. Sheath: 8.1 oz.
- Blade: 440C High Chromium Martensitic Stainless Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C59, Mirror Polished
- Bolsters, Fittings: Nickel Silver
- Handle: Fossilized Cretaceous Algae Gemstone
- Sheath: Locking, Kydex, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Nickel Plated Steel
- Knife: A great knife for a great client, the
Calisto is a neat design, custom made to his specifications. The
blade has a useful, thick and strong drop point curvature with
plenty of belly and a deep, matched and mirror polished hollow
grind. The steel is 440C high chromium stainless steel, and when
mirror polished is the most corrosion resistant of the stainless
tool steels. I hardened and tempered the blade at 59HRC, for a hard,
wear resistant edge. The blade has a fully tapered tang, with full
filework and substantial thickness for this sized knife. The
bolsters are warm nickel silver, dovetailed to bed a pair of
polished Fossilized Cretaceous Algae Gemstone handle scales. This
fossil is hard and tough jasper, calcium, and chalcedony, with
fascinating patterns and visual interest, originating at least 65
million years ago. It's interesting to think that before this algae
was replaced by minerals, it was alive in the time of the dinosaurs,
when the abundant seas cut our continent in half. This gemstone is
hard and tough, with smooth transparent areas and textured calcite
jasper bands of tans and browns. The handle balances at the point
between the first two fingers, and is comfortable to hold in a
variety of positions.
- Sheath: The sheath is one of my special locking
models, based on the combat sheaths I make. In fact, it is no
different except for its smaller size. The sheath body is
double-thick kydex, thermoformed over multiple 5052H32
corrosion-resistant aluminum welts. The body is secured with nickel
plated steel Chicago screws, and the locking mechanism is all 316,
302, and 304 austenitic stainless steels for strength and corrosion
resistance. I included a pair of vertical 1.75" belt loops
(standard) and a horizontal conversion plate, that accommodates
horizontal belt wear. This is a super tough and useful sheath.
- A great knife destined for years of use and interest!
Thanks, M.M.!
Hi Jay,
Wanted to let you know that I love the knife. Excellent workmanship! You obviously spent a great deal of time doing it.
Love the fossilized Algae handle.
-M.M.
Please click on thumbnail knife photos