"Alamogordo" Collector's, Utility Knife

• Size: Length overall: 8.5" (21.6 cm), Blade Length: 4.0" (10.2cm), Thickness: .183" (4.6 mm)
• Weight: Knife: 7.6 oz. Sheath: 4.6 oz.
• Blade: O-1 High Carbon Tungsten-Vanadium Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C60,bead blasted, blued
• Bolsters, Fittings: Brass
• Handle: Polished Serpentine Gemstone, Zebrawood
• Sheath: Lizard skin inlaid in hand-carved leather
• Knife: Named for the big cottonwood tree, common in our dry Southwest, the Alamogordo is a tough, sharp, well-designed working tool, fine enough for a collection. I made this blade of O-1, an oil-hardened high carbon tungsten-vanadium tool steel, known for its versatility, dependability, and ability to be sharpened to an extremely keen razor edge. This is not some plain carbon steel just dressed up. O-1 is an exceptional tool steel manufactured just to make tools, to resist the impact, high wear, and abrasive situations that a knife blade will encounter. This particular blade I've hardened and tempered to Rockwell 60, for an extremely hard wear profile and great longevity at the cutting edge. The blade is precisely matched in the deep hollow grinds, with no filework that could hold debris that might cause corrosion. I also bead-blasted the blade for a flat finish, and hot-blued the blade for an hour, resulting in deep penetration of bluing to further resist corrosion and present a flat black appearance. This knife has a hidden tang, which means the tang is reduced to a threaded rod through the handle, for a full, rounded and smooth handle grip which is secured by a threaded pommel. For the guard and pommel, I went for a more traditional warm look of polished brass; the guard has a deep quillon to protect the hand from the razor-keen edge, and the pommel is shaped for a smooth, comfortable feel. The handle has significant weight for controlled working and good purchase, and is made of bedded segments of drilled and polished Serpentine gemstone and Zebra wood, for an organic character with a splash of bright olive green.
• Sheath: The sheath for this knife needed a nice touch, so I made a deep, protective sheath of 9-10 oz. leather shoulder, hand-stitched and lacquer-sealed, and inlaid with real Teju Lizard skin. The lizard has a great color, and is smooth and even, very nice to the touch.
• A great working tool fine enough for a collection.

Thanks, G. D.!