Handle: Polished Pilbara Picasso Jasper Gemstone
from Australia
Sheath: Hand-carved, Hand-Tooled Leather
Shoulder
Knife: The Magdalena was designed when
I lived in the small mountain town by the same name. The Magdalena
has always been a popular knife, both from the standpoint of a
working tool and from the artistic form of a fine instrument of
collector's value. This particular Magdalena has a Magnum designation and design, because it is larger and longer than
the original pattern. The long blade has an imposing drop point
design, which makes for a stout-pointed knife that is easy to sheath
with plenty of thin, sharp belly. I made this knife in D2 extremely
high carbon die steel. D2 has a reputation for being one of the
finest modern tool steels made, with several interesting attributes.
Because D2 has the highest carbon content of any tool steel used for
knives (1.65 %), it has extremely high hardening characteristics,
with deep hardening depth. So wear-resistant is this steel that
unless it is ground very thin, it is difficult to sharpen because of
the high hardness. But don't worry; I've hollow ground the blade very thin
and accurate all along the length for a very fine and accurate
geometry. Because this steel also has high chromium content of 12%,
it is also corrosion resistant. Though not a true stainless steel,
it is resistant to most exposures, apart from prolonged exposure to
salt water or acids (like orange juice). The combination of
extremely high carbon and high chromium in this alloy lead to a high
concentration of chromium carbides, extremely hard particles which
give this steel it's well-deserved reputation of having some of the
highest wear resistance of any cutlery steel. A side characteristic
of the dense chromium carbides is that you can see the particles in
the grain on the surface of the brightly polished blade, known by
knife professionals as "orange peel" grain. This also clearly
identifies the blade as premium D2, for this is the only steel to
exhibit this surface grain structure. As a fine metals artist and
craftsman, I think the grain structure is
quite beautiful. The blade edge has a small recurve area at
the small choil, followed by a good length of straight edge and a
sweeping belly tipped with a thin and razor keen point. The blade is
clean and elegant with no filework along the fully tapered tang for
easy cleaning and smooth comfort. The handle, like the blade, is long
and full, balancing the blade and allowing a full grip in the
recurve area of the handle, or necking up with the forefinger in the
front forefinger groove at the face of the front bolster. The knife
is bolstered with zero care, super tough 304 austenitic high nickel,
high chromium stainless steel, into which I've hand-engraved layered
fleur-de-lis. The lily flower pattern covers both the front and rear
bolsters, with clean shading and nice depth. The bolsters are
dovetailed and bed a pair of large and beautiful Pilbara Picasso
Jasper gemstone handle scales. This Australian gemstone is
fascinating and masculine, and is very hard, tough, and durable with
a bright lustrous polish. The stone has intriguing lines and
patterns, layers of visual interest in blacks, reds, and sunset
oranges. Some have called it "modern art in stone," with the punchy
contrast and high visual appeal. The supply of this stone is
extremely limited, coming from one of the oldest rock formations in
the world and no longer excavated. The knife feels smooth, comfortable, and substantial in the
hand. Don't let the beauty of this knife fool you; it is an
extremely tough, hard, and durable tool made to work and last for
generations.
Sheath: The sheath for this knife was made to
match the knife; I carved it from 9-10 oz. leather shoulder,
hand-carved and hand-tooled in fleur-de-lis pattern matching the
complex sunset colors and highlights of the gemstone and bolster
engravings. The sheath is deep and protective, securing the knife
well into the thick welted frame. It's carved front and back, hand
stitched with nylon and zigzag-stitched at the tough belt loop for
durable fastness. The sheath is solid, smooth, and comfortable,
lacquered and sealed.
An elegant, masculine, punchy knife in a very hard and unique
steel, fascinating premium handle material, and classy engraving and
embellishment.
Copyright 1996-2024 by The Jay Fisher Company. All rights reserved. Federal copyright law prohibits unauthorized reproduction by any means and imposes fines up to $25,000 for each violation.
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