Grus (The Crane)

• Size: Length overall: 7.0" (17.8 cm), Blade Length: 3" (7.6 cm), Thickness: .1875" (4.7 mm)
• Weight: Knife: 5.5 oz. Sheath 3.0 oz.
• Blade: 440C High Chromium Stainless Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C59, hollow ground, mirror polished
• Fittings/Bolsters: 304 Stainless Steel, hand-engraved, mirror polished
• Handle: Polished Binghamite (Silkstone) Gemstone
• Sheath: Hand-Carved 9-10 oz. Leather Shoulder, Second sheath in Ostrich Leg skin inlaid in leather
• The name Grus comes from a constellation in the southern hemisphere, and from Latin, meaning crane. The blade is hollow ground 440C high chromium martensitic stainless tool steel, hardened and tempered to Rc59, a very hard temper that is supported by a thick spine cross section. The tapered tang is fully fileworked in a vine pattern, even down to the thin extended lanyard hole at the butt of the handle. For the bolsters, I chose 304 austenitic stainless steel, and they're engraved with a grassy reed pattern. The bolsters are dovetailed to hold a beautiful piece of Binghamite gemstone, also called Silkstone, with bright red bands of red hematite, goethite, and quartz. The hand-carved sheath was carefully dyed with successive color applications to get a warm, rusty tone that accented the colors of the gemstone without overshadowing it. You'll also notice an additional sheath; this is a crossdraw sheath that the client also wanted, and I made this one in hand-stitched 9 - 10 oz. leather shoulder, hand-carved with inlays of burgundy Ostrich leg skin.

Thanks, J.P.!