Bulldog
"Bulldog" Fine Handmade Knife
- Size: Length overall: 11.75" (29.9 cm), Blade Length: 7.0" (17.8 cm), Thickness: .285" (7.2 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 13.5 oz. (383 grams) Sheath: 8.2 oz. (232 grams)
- Blade: 440C High Chromium Stainless Steel, Hardened and Tempered, Cryogenically Treated to Rockwell HRC60, Mirror Polished
- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, Hand-engraved
- Handle: Carnival Crazy Lace Agate Gemstone
- Sheath: Hand-carved, Hand-dyed Leather Shoulder, stitched with polyester
- Knife: The Bulldog is an incredible knife, and
it's a popular style of mine for many reasons, from the first
design created for combat to the fine artwork of this elegant piece,
the Bulldog is one of the finest knives I make, and I gave this one
my premium treatment. The blade is high chromium 440C, my most requested steel
because it's hard and tough and wear resistant, and extremely
corrosion resistant, requiring little to no care, maintaining its
finish for generations. I gave this particular blade my best
treatment, with deep cryogenic processing for maximum martensitic
conversion with a 32 hour cryogenic soaking at -325°F for maximum
eta-carbide precipitation. The hardening and cryogenic aging was
followed by triple tempering with deep cryogenic soaks in-between,
for maximum thermal stabilization and the best possible balance of
hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance along with dimensional
stability. What this process yields is a blade that is in the
pinnacle of performance, the very best
it can possibly be. I've made sure that the blade is very thick at the
heaviest part of the spine, over a quarter of an inch, which gives
it great strength, and allows a graceful and deep hollow grind for the longest
possible service life of the razor keen cutting edge. The hollow grind is
tapered for a thicker edge at the ricasso, supporting great force
application, with a thin, needle like point. The blade has a
two-third's length top swage that reduces point profile while
maintaining spine strength, and the tang is fully tapered through
the handle for balance. The blade has full deep and bold filework in an
alternating budding style, and is terminated at the butt with a full
and comfortable finger ring. All surfaces of the knife are rounded, contoured,
polished, and smoothed for a great, comfortable feel. I bolstered
the knife with 304 stainless steel: super tough and durable, zero
care, and I hand-engraved the bolsters with a lightly interwoven
sickle design, echoing the curvature of the blade. The bolsters are
dovetailed and bed and anchor a pair of beautiful, striking Carnival
Crazy Lace Agate gemstone handle scales. Though they are bookmatched
(see the photo of the spine below), the look on each side is
distinctive and remarkable. On the obverse side, I took care to
focus the center of the handle scale with placement of a small,
crystal-lined cavity, and left it open to see literally deep into
this tiny crystal pocket. On the other side, the patterns and figure
of the stone is beyond complex, and examination under magnification
reveals layer upon layer of beautiful creation and formation of
this agate. The agate is very hard and tough, and will literally
outlast the knife. The knife feels powerful and strong in the hand
in either the forward or reverse grip, with the balance point
exactly at the front bolster face.
- Sheath: The sheath needed to be commensurate
with the knife, and this was no easy task since the knife is so bold
and dramatic. I used the long, sickle-like interwoven design motif of my
bolster engraving and hand-carved the design in the thick 9-10 oz.
leather shoulder on the front and back of the sheath along with the
belt loop. I hand-dyed the leather with a color gradient reflected
in the boldest parts of the gemstone handle, and stitched the thick welts in
heavy black polyester thread in a very tight pattern. For increased
strength, I stitched the belt loop in double rows. The sheath is lacquered and sealed, and the
knife fits deeply to protect the wearer and the knife.
- A big, bold and distinctive Bulldog, a tough and beautiful knife.
Thanks, S. K.!
Hi Jay,
The knife arrived and of course I am in awe of its beauty and your work. As beautiful as it was in the pictures, the pictures
pale in comparison to seeing it with the eye. Your passion for your craft shines in the quality of your work. Your creativity
takes that passion and turns it into art. I am grateful to own a piece of your passioned art. I’ll keep an eye on your web site
for your future work…my Bulldog might get lonely all by herself!
Thanks,
S.
Please click on thumbnail knife photos
Testimonials about other Bulldogs:
Mr. Fisher,
I received my knife today. It is everything I had hoped for and then some. It is beautiful.
Thank you so much for crafting this knife for me. I am sure that this is an item that will
be passed on through many generations of my family. My son already has his eye on it. Once
again thank you.
T. G.
Hi Jay
...what a beautiful piece of work. Much heavier in the hand than I expected and actually much larger
too for some reason. That is one serious knife. I love the filework on it, really makes the whole thing pop.
--T.
Hi Jay,
The
Bulldog, sheath and stand arrived safely and I am totally blown
away. You have really outdone yourself. The whole ensemble is
really a piece of fine art, and it occupies a place of honor on
my credenza. I cannot get over your vision--how the stand
cradles the knife and the sheath with just the right curvature
and yet displays them both to maximum advantage. The knife
itself is exceptional, as are all your works. The engraving is
amazing, and the gemstone handle is breathtaking. The file work
completes the package to perfection. Sometimes I just sit and
look at it, which I suppose is an appropriate tribute to any
fine piece of art or sculpture. Thank you once again for the
opportunity of owning something so special.
--Dave Evans
