"Ocate" Fine Hunting, Skinning, Collector's Knife

The Ocate was named after an area known for elk, deer, and bear hunting in New Mexico, and the knife was originally designed with the input from a professional hunting outfitter. The blade is large with plenty of deeply hollow ground 440C high chromium stainless steel for skinning and field dressing, and the knife's overall arched spine translates the motions of use comfortably into the handle. The blade point is radically thin, and a good-sized forefinger quillon stops the hand from moving onto the blade. The knife blade is hand- engraved in a simple scroll and leaf pattern, and is fully fileworked along the fully tapered tang. The knife is bolstered with 304 high chromium, high nickel stainless steel bolsters with a matching engraving pattern, and the handle is copper ore, Hecla, and calumet gemstone. This interesting material is a byproduct of the copper smelting industry, and makes a very tough, handsome, durable, and beautiful handle with plenty of bright copper in the red matrix. The handle of this knife is extremely comfortable in the hand and the rear quillon keeps the hand fused to the task.

The knife sheath for this one is bold: multiple inlays of red stingray skin inlaid in hand-carved leather shoulder, hand-stitched with nylon, dyed black, lacquered, and sealed.

A beautiful and unique custom ensemble for dedicated use and yet fine enough for a collection.