Izar
"Izar" Fine Handmade Liner Lock Folding Knife
- Type: An interframe liner lock folding knife
- Size: Length overall open: 7.25" (18.4 cm), Length overall closed: 4.375" (11.1 cm) Blade
Length: 2.875" (7.3 cm), Blade Thickness: .106 ( 2.7 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 5 oz. (142 grams) , Case: 1 lb. 9 oz. (709 grams)
- Blade: 440C High Chromium Stainless Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C58 hollow ground and mirror polished
- Liners: Polished and hand-engraved 304 austenitic stainless steel
- Handle: Inlaid Polished Pietersite Agate (China)
- Lock plate: 6AL4V titanium, anodized
- Case: Black Galaxy Granite gemstone, suede leather, neoprene feet
- Knife: The Izar is named for a
double star in the constellation Bootes. This is a
striking liner lock folding knife, which resides in
a polished sarcophagus of black granite. The knife
has a hollow ground, mirror polished 440C high
chromium stainless steel blade, elegant and clean,
with full vine filework throughout and a 304
stainless steel thumb tab. The knife is a liner lock
type, and I anodized the 6AL4V (aluminum and
vanadium alloy) titanium lock plate with a copper-bronze color
to match the gemstone handle scales. The titanium
lock plate is also fully fileworked in a tiny vine pattern. The
liners for the handle are hand-engraved 304 high
nickel, high chromium stainless steel. Most makers
will not work with 304 because of its high toughness
and resistance to machining, but this is the finest
steel with the highest corrosion resistance
available, and it is uniquely beautiful and
"zero-care." In the liners, I hand-engraved an
intricate leaf and scroll design, one of the
smallest possible in this very tough material. The
liners are also fileworked and the knife is
embellished throughout. The spine has a milled and
framed lanyard slot and is fully fileworked, even inside the handle on
both sides of the spine. The liners are milled in
interframe, and bed a pair of glassy, polished,
unique and stunning handle inlays of Pietersite
Agate. Pietersite is a brecciated tiger eye quartz,
with a fantastic and intricate pattern of waves,
flow banding, and chatoyancy (cat's eye effect).
This particular set is filled with golds, reds, and
milky to clear agate, and is one of those materials
that becomes more fascinating with more
magnification and light. To see this gemstone in the
sunlight is something the camera just can't convey,
and all of the photos on this page are at least a 2x
magnification so you can see every detail.
Pietersite is becoming very rare indeed in the
world, as the African Pietersite deposits were
played out over a decade ago, and the Chinese
Pietersite just played out in 2009. So, any stock of
this material is very expensive, and I was very
lucky to acquire some of it large enough for knife
handles as most pieces of it are very small. Though
elegant and refined, the knife feels great in the
hand, tough and workable, with a comfortable
substance and character.
- Case: A knife of this jewelry
quality needed a special place to rest, a
sarcophagus both unique and striking. I
hand-carved, shaped, lapped, and polished this case of Black Galaxy Granite from
India. This is gabbric anorthosite, and is a hard,
tough, and very durable granite. It has inclusions
of bronzite (enstatine) which create a coppery
spangled reflection in the light which varies
depending on the angle and light. This is a beautiful
granite,
with no veining and a uniform finish, lapped and
polished throughout, even on the inside surfaces. The inside is carved to accept
the knife, with finger cutouts for easy removal, and
is lined with black suede leather for protection of
the knife. The lid has keyed holes which engage 304
stainless steel buttons for a snug fit. I inlayed neoprene feet in the bottom so
the case can safely rest on any surface.
- A beautiful and unique combination of simple and refined elegance.
Thanks, E. B.!
Just got the Izar today. Naturally, being a man of reason, I prepared a lengthy, detailed, articulate review
of it. I took great care to remain particularly objective since it's the first time I've ever even seen one of
your knives in person, let alone owned one. And here it is:
WOW!!!! This knife is exceptional, from the rich depth of the Pietersite agate to the impossibly intricate, near
Lilliputian engraving on the liners. The sarcophagus fits and matches the knife perfectly. The level of detail, fit,
and finish is truly breath-taking. If Hephaestus himself had a knife collection, there's no question in my mind that
any fitting centerpiece would have to have come from you!
My only regret with the knife is that I neglected to film the reactions of the the other people who've seen it,
as its already had a jaw-dropping effect on everyone.
Thank you for the opportunity to own one of your stunning knives. I look forward to adding more in the future-
what kind of gentlemen would I be if I let a beauty like this get lonely? Not much of one at all, I'd reckon. :)
Thanks again!
--E.
A year and a half later:
The Izar folder basically lives a life of luxury and still looks brand new. I carry it whenever I get the chance to
and I'm always happy to put it through its paces when a pocket knife's called for. Beyond the beauty of it, I've really
grown to appreciate the weight, balance, and substance it carries. It really is functional art in every sense of the word.
--E.
--And three and a half years later:
The Izar folder still looks just as gorgeous as the day I got it, and there's been no dropoff in performance.
We should all age so well!
--E.
Please click on thumbnail knife photos
