"Astarion"

Size: Length overall: 15.25" (38.7 cm), Blade Length: 10" (25.4 cm), Thickness: .250 (.64 cm)

Blade: 440C High Chromium Stainless Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C59, hollow ground and mirror polished

Fittings/Bolsters: 304 Stainless Steel, mirror polished, hand engraved by Jay

Handle: Polished Nephrite Jade and Muliticolored Moss Agate doublet gemstone

Sheath: Ostrich Leg Skin Inlaid in Hand-Tooled 9-10 oz. Leather Shoulder, Latigo Lace bindings

Case Specs: Size: 22.5" (57.2 cm) wide, 14" (35.6 cm ) tall, 3.5" (8.9 cm) deep      Weight: 9.5 lbs.

Case: Cherry, Western Red Cedar, Mahogany, Rock Maple, Ipe, Brass

Knife: Named for one of the hunting Greyhounds of "Bootes the hunter" in the northern star constellation Canes Venatici, Astarion is a muscular knife in its finest form. The style was derived from my Stealth pattern, but there’s nothing quiet about this piece of edged art. The first thing you notice is the blade. Long, graceful and thick, the mirror polish and sharp lines are some of my best work, and I’m proud to have my new maker’s mark on it. I made the blade from hefty quarter-inch thick stock, for great strength along the spine. The blade is fully fileworked with my "Blazer" pattern for a stunning effect, with over 930 individual hand cuts through the tapered tang from the point to the matching pattern on the choil. The bolsters are brilliant 304 high chromium, high nickel austenitic stainless steel for extreme longevity and zero care, and I’ve engraved a fitted, generous, leafy pattern on them. The front sculpted bolster extends well into the blade spine, so the thumb is fully supported by bolster width. The engraved bolster pattern blends well with the color of the rich and tough Nephrite Jade gemstone from Wyoming. This glacier-deposited jade is only the topper of a doublet-cut gemstone handle; the underlayment is brightly polished multicolored Moss Agate gemstone from Central America. The stones compliment each other for a seamless fit, with plenty of eye play in the colors and patterns chosen. As far as durability, there is simply no tougher, harder composition than jade and agate. With the deep quillions and curving belly the handle feels like it’s fused to the hand; it feels great in either the traditional (forward) or tactical (reverse) grip, enhanced by the texture of the profuse filework.

Sheath: The sheath of this knife is an independent work of art. I’ve carved and tooled the body from 9-10 oz. leather shoulder, and inlaid substantial full pieces of rich, black Ostrich leg skin, chosen for a prominent tapering pattern of scales with visual interest and toughness. The leather is hand-stitched with polyester sinew, with carved and tooled latigo-laced tension bindings fitted with brass screws and nickel plated steel eyelets for a primal but elegant look and character enhancing the exotic knife.

Case: One of the nicer cases I've made, this one was commissioned by a great client. I've made it of many woods, inlayed in a lined pattern, solid and thick and created and assembled with spline joinery. The mountboard is Cherry wood with inlays of Western Red Cedar (Juniper) and the mounts are polished and finished Ipe exotic hardwood for brilliant, tough and hard gleaming mounts. The case sides and front frame are Mahogany inlaid with splines and strips of Rock Maple. Even the hinges are made of Mahogany. Hinge pins and glass front retainers are brass.  The woods are oiled and waxed for a warm luster. I've mounted a black lacquered engraved brass nameplate, and the case displays the knife and sheath with class.

One of my finest investment grade knives.

Thanks D.M.!