"Regulus" Fine Handmade Knife

• Size: Length overall: 7.25" (18.4 cm), Blade Length: 3.25" (8.3 cm), Thickness: .140" (3.6 mm)
• Weight: Knife: 4.0 oz. (113 grams) Sheath: 3.5 oz.(99 grams)
• Blade: 440C High Chromium Martensitic Stainless Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C58, mirror finished
• Bolsters, Fittings: Hand-engraved 304 Austenitic High Nickel, High Chromium Stainless Steel
• Handle: Polished Sampson Peak Brecciated Jasper Gemstone
• Sheath: American Alligator Skin Inlaid in Hand-carved Leather
• Knife: Regulus is named for one of the brightest stars in the sky, and this small knife certainly shines. Starting with a 440C high chromium stainless steel blade, I ground the hollows for an extremely thin sweeping belly so I could apply and the owner could maintain an extremely sharp single bevel cutting edge. The blade has a very nice drop point and belly sweep profile, and this knife could easily be one of the more useful utility as well as skinning knives. I appointed, finished and embellished it finely enough, however, to occupy a significant place in a great knife collection. The top of the blade spine has just enough light vine filework to extend to the front bolster area, and the fully tapered tang is clean and smooth. The bolsters are brightly polished 304 high nickel, high chromium stainless steel for the greatest longevity with zero care, and are hand-engraved with a rocky, conglomerate type pattern that goes very well with the pattern in the gemstone handle and the pattern and texture of the sheath inlays. The bolsters are dovetailed and bed a pair of striking Sampson Peak Brecciated Jasper gemstone handle scales, with a wild pattern that is caused by crushing movement deep within the earth's crust, then long term high pressure re-fusing of the stone into a very solid and smooth microcrystalline quartz (jasper). The colors are butterscotch, white and maroon, with a few areas of agate and crystal. This jasper is very hard, taking a high polish that will last longer than the knife (or you and me!). The handle scales are very thin to help with the weight balance, which is just behind the front bolster and handle scale junction. The handle shape is a three-and-a-half finger design, and is slender and elegant.
• Sheath: The sheath had to match this one closely, so I chose glossy brown tough American Alligator skin inlaid in full panels on the face, back, and belt loop of the sheath. The sheath body is 9-10 oz. leather shoulder, dyed black, lacquered and sealed, and hand-stitched with polyester sinew. The back rises to protect the wearer, and the face is carved downward to accent the handle and rear bolster while exposing the finger depression so the knife can easily be removed from the sheath.
• A light graceful, and elegant knife with some unique materials and embellishment.