Cygnus-Horrocks
"Cygnus-Horrocks" Custom Knife
- Size: Length overall: 11.75" (29.9 cm), Blade
Length: 6.0" (15.2 cm), Thickness: .243" (6.2 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 1 lb. 2.0 oz. (510 grams)
Sheath: 6.8 oz. (193 grams)
- Blade: ATS-34 High Molybdenum Martensitic Stainless
Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to 61HRC
- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless
Steel
- Handle: Crazy Lace Agate Gemstone
- Sheath: Hand-carved leather
shoulder inlaid with Ostrich Leg Skin
- Knife: The Cygnus-Horrocks is a popular pattern
of mine, and this original custom knife was specially ordered by a
great client. The blade is beautifully mirror polished ATS-34 high
molybdenum stainless tool steel, which is an extremely tough,
corrosion resistant steel, that has very high toughness at a high
hardness. I tempered the blade to a hard 61HRC for an extremely
wear-resistant blade with high longevity throughout. The blade is
deeply hollow ground, with great lines, sweeping grind terminations,
and a half-length top swage that reduces point profile without
sacrificing spine strength. This is a very strong blade, indeed,
with nearly one-quarter inch thick blade stock at the spine and
significant mass. The blade spine is fileworked with a deep and
distinctive cut of modified vine, extending along the spine through
the fully tapered tang. The inside of the handle tang is smooth and
comfortable. The knife is bolstered with my favorite 304 high
nickel, high chromium austenitic stainless steel, a zero-care
stainless that is used in stainless steel nuts, bolts, and
fasteners. The bolsters are contoured, radiused and mirror polished,
the front bolster has a beveled and polished front face; the rear
bolster has a 5/16" chamfered through-tang lanyard hole. The
bolsters are dovetailed and lock in a pair of dovetailed Crazy Lace
Agate gemstone handle scales. This agate is tough and hard, with
striking patterns, flow banding, and crystalline structures. This is
an agate that offers more and more visual interest the closer and
longer that you look at it, definitely a geological marvel. I've
included several ultra-close up photos below for illustration. The
agate is polished and smooth, and will well outlast the knife.
Though stout, the knife balances right at the forefinger placement
in forward grip style, and the knife feels smooth, inviting, and
substantial in the hand.
- Sheath: The sheath for this knife had to be a
stand-out, so I made it in 9-10 oz. heavy leather shoulder, hand-carved
and dyed medium brown, and
hand-stitched throughout with polyester
sinew. The sheath has 16 inlays of burgundy Ostrich Leg skin in a
radial pattern and even the double-row stitched belt loop has the exotic skin inlays.
The sheath is lacquered and sealed throughout, and holds the knife
deeply enough to protect the blade and the wearer, yet offers easy
extraction with the hawk's bill rear quillon.
- This is a great handmade custom knife that was a pleasure to
make!
Thanks, T. S.!
The knife is gorgeous; the vine pattern file work appears alive, the hawk's beak quillon,
the exquisite and balanced blade grinds extending to the devastating tip, the mirror polish,
and the stunning gemstone handles, the knife possesses a spirit brought alive by your mastery
over the materials. You can see it in the great pictures, however, they do neither the sheath
nor the knife justice! Holding it my hand, feeling it's spirit, and seeing it with my own eyes,
absolutely incredible, the handle sticks to my hand, a perfect fit.
Thank you Jay!
--T. S.
Please click on thumbnail knife photos
