Secora Custom Knife
"Secora" Fine Handmade Custom Knife
- Size: Length overall: 7.75" (19.4 cm), Blade Length: 3.75" (9.5 cm), Thickness: .160" (4.1 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 6.4 oz. (181 grams) Sheath: 3.8 oz. (108 grams)
- Blade: 440C high chromium martensitic stainless
steel blade, T3 deep cryogenically treated with triple tempering to
59.5 HRC
- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, Mirror polished
- Handle: Picasso Marble Gemstone (Utah)
- Sheath: Hand-carved leather shoulder inlaid with
Teju Lizard skin
- Knife: This custom knife was made for a great
client, to his specifications. The name Secora means "one who helps"
and is also the name of my client, which is very cool! This is a
great design for a medium to small-sized knife, a useful drop point
that is compact, tough and strong, with a keen working edge and
comfortable working handle. The blade is fully fileworked with my
kinked-rope design for handmade distinction and improved grip.
- The steel I chosen for this knife is
440C high chromium martensitic stainless
steel, my most requested steel for a reason. When properly
treated, it's a dependable, reliable workhorse of extremely
high corrosion resistance, good toughness and high wear
resistance. The high chromium of 440C along with the high
carbon and moderate molybdenum results in profuse chromium
carbides, increasing corrosion resistance as well as wear
resistance. To bring this steel to its zenith, I used my
proprietary T3 deep cryogenic process in heat treating this
blade; it's a highly detailed, extremely sophisticated
process that takes 33 individual steps and takes over a week
long. The result of this is an incredibly wear-resistant
blade that has extremely high carbide development, fine
grain, and extremely high corrosion resistance. Asperity is
reduced; the microstructure development is superior to any
other typical handmade knife, and far above any factory or
manufactured knife. This is, simply put, 440C at its very
finest advanced condition. It's mirror polished for easy
cleaning and a great look.
- I bolstered the knife with zero-care
304 high chromium, high nickel stainless steel bolsters,
which are contoured, rounded and finished for a comfortable
feel. The bolsters are secured with zero-clearance peened
pins and dovetailed to bed the handle scales. The front
bolsters are rounded at the faces, the rear bolsters are
wide and flat, with a substantial quillon to help lock the
fingers into the belly of the handle.
- The handle scales of this knife were
chosen by my client, a Picasso Marble from Utah. This is a
very strong marble, with handsome figure throughout, a
durable useful stone, and one of the reason I love making
more gemstone handles than anyone. I chose some beautiful
matched pieces for the knife, from the Toroweap formation.
270 million years ago, western Utah was under water. The sea
grew and shrank, the shore moved and retreated, leaving many
tide pools. At the bottom of these were the remains of
animals, sediment, mud, clay, dolomite, and sand. This
rested on the Kaibab limestone, and was eventually
solidified into a mass. That mass was compressed and formed
into limestone itself. This mass was folded into the earth
in the Sevier orogeny. This impressive geological act of
subduction forced the limestone deep into areas of high
pressure and heat, and volcanism added silver sulfide and
other minerals into the mass. A hundred million years after
the formation, even more metamorphic heat was generated,
converting the limestone to marble. The limestone had been
fractured, re-formed, filled and compressed, creating the
fascinating structure of the Picasso Marble on this knife.
Neat!
- The knife feels hefty and strong for a
small knife, ready for work ready for any task, an extension
of the hand.
- Sheath: My client requested a crossdraw sheath
commensurate with the knife. I made this one in 10 oz leather
shoulder, hand-carved, and made full panel inlays of brown Teju
lizard skin front, back, and even in the crossdraw belt loop. The
sheath is dyed a medium brown to compliment the handle, and it's
stitched with chestnut nylon, and double-row stitched through the
belt loop. for strength. I sealed it with lacquer for longevity.
- A classy, tough, and handsome knife with a great sheath.
Thanks, M. Secora!
Jay,
I received the knife today. I am even more impressed being able to hold it in person. The pictures are
good but just don’t do it justice. What a work of art and function. It feels great and looks even better!
I am just impressed with your craftsmanship. Thank you again!
Blessings,
M. Secora
Please click on thumbnail knife photos