Iraca
Iraca
- Size: Length overall: 7.8" (19.8 cm),
Blade Length: 4.1" (10.4 cm),
Thickness: .193" (4.9 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 7.8 oz. Sheath: 4.0 oz.
- Blade: 440C High Chromium Martensitic
Stainless Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C59, mirror finished
- Bolsters, Fittings: Hand-engraved 304
Austenitic High Nickel, High Chromium Stainless Steel
- Handle: Polished Bronzite Hypersthene Gemstone
- Sheath: Frog Skin Inlaid in Hand-carved Leather
- Knife: Iraca is an Incan word and used
naming a feature on the surface of Rhea, Saturn's largest moon.
In making this knife, I tried to keep that exotic flavor in the
shape, the profile, the materials, and the embellishment. This
is a unique small tanto. I started with my favorite 440C high
chromium stainless steel blade, for minimal care, high corrosion
resistance, and longest lasting value. I profiled the shape in a
sweeping slight trailing point blade, with a high angle to make
a narrow yet strong point. Both of the cutting edges have a
slight curve, making the knife easy to sharpen, and aggressive
to cut with. I hollow ground the blade with a 10" contact wheel,
so the deep grind leaves plenty of thin blade, while preserving
a substantial spine for strength. The knife has full filework in
a conspicuous Incan geometric pattern of deep vees, squared
spacers, and pyramidal angles. The tang is fully tapered for
weight balance, and the filework extends completely to the
clean, rounded choil that terminates the cutting edge. The
angled handle is a three-fingered handle; the first three
fingers of the hand wrap comfortably while the rear bolster of
the handle lays easily in the heel of the hand. It also handles
well with the forefinger across the top of the spine and the
other fingertips around the belly of the handle. To match the
geometric design of the filework, I designed and hand-engraved
an intricate complimentary design on the 304 high chromium, high
nickel stainless steel bolsters. There are few engravers who
work with 304 stainless because of the great difficulty of
hand-engraving. That toughness and resistance to cutting makes
for stunning mirror-polished bolsters that will retain their
finish and appearance indefinitely. The bolsters are dovetailed
to bed a pair of Bronzite Hypersthene gemstone scales. It is
likely that this is the first knife in existence to have a
Bronzite Hypersthene handle. This is a unique and unusual
gemstone with dark gray metallic hematite veins and pockets
interspersed with rich golden, crystalline, chatoyant (cat's
eye) spangles and reflective metallic areas. It's been described
as having a fibrous bronzy luster and a peculiar iridescence
called "schiller" from tiny brown scales of unknown material in
it. It takes some special skill and practice to finish it; not a
material for the casual lapidary, but the effort was worth it.
It is hard and durable, and feels good in the hand.
- Sheath: Of course I had to make a
commensurate sheath for this knife, so I designed one that would
show off the handle gemstone and the engraving, yet protect the
knife blade and wearer. The design has a long ramp to glide in
the cutting edge and nest the face of the bolster. The sheath is
inlaid with ten inlays of black Frog Skin arranged in geometric
form in hand-carved and tooled leather shoulder. I've stitched
the dark tan sheath with polyester sinew, lacquered and sealed
it.
- This is a richly beautiful tanto, with a distinctly
mysterious and masculine style and tone.
Thanks, P.K.!
Hello, Jay!
Received the art on Saturday and find it perfect in every detail!
It's worth every penny!
--P.
Please click on thumbnail photos