Taibhse
"Taibhse" Fine Handmade Custom Knife
- Size: Knife: Length overall: 15.0" (38.1 cm), Blade Length:
9.75" (24.8 cm), Thickness: .250" (6.35 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 1 lb. 4 oz. (567 grams) Sheath:
10.4 oz. (295 grams)
- Blade: CPM154CM high molybdenum stainless tool steel, hardened and tempered to 59HRC, mirror polished
- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, mirror polished
- Handle: Eudialite (Almandine Garnet) Gemstone from Russia
- Sheath: Hand-carved leather, hand-dyed, inlaid with
Emu skin
- Knife: A truly unique and original knife for a
great client, this custom made Taibhse is the old Celtic word for
ghost. Sleek and keen, this knife was designed with direct input
from my client and patron, and the result is a knife that is
stunning, clean, and original. The blade shape has hints of ancient
times, clearly a tanto style but with a slender form. The nearly
full length top swage adds to the graceful appeal while reducing
spine weight and cross sectional profile of the point. The blade is
made of a magnificent steel: Crucible Particle Metallurgy (CPM)154CM
This was originally created as a modification of 440C to offer
better wear resistance and hot hardness, while being tougher and
more resistant to breakage overall. CPM154CM is closer to ATS34 in
alloy content, the high chromium-molybdenum stainless steel of
choice for extremely tough applications. This is a true powder metal
technology tool steel, formed by spraying the atomized metal
particles to form with no segregation of alloy components, and
an absolutely uniform distribution of the alloys, followed by fusing in
high heat and pressure. This creates an extremely uniform billet,
and the result is regular, isotropic distribution of alloy elements,
high dependability and performance, and uncompromising beauty, as
there is no grain structure visible to the unaided eye in this
brilliant steel. The high chromium and high carbon of this steel
assures a substantial carbide volume, and that makes the steel more
difficult to make a blade out of, but in the case of Taibhse,
worth it. The high molybdenum makes the blade very tough, and very
resistant to breakage. This steel is also very resistant to
corrosion, and in the mirror polished state, can be superior to
440C. The Taibhse blade is fully hollow ground, with a thin and
razor keen single bevel edge, and three inches of my Vampire
rip teeth serrations, the most aggressive and vicious serrations I
create on any knife. Also added at the ricasso is a deep angled line
cutter. The blade is a full quarter inch thick at the ricasso, for
robust blade to handle strength, and the tang is fully tapered for
balance. My client requested no filework for a clean, smooth handle
and blade transition, and large, multi-pinned bolsters in 304 high
nickel, high chromium austenitic stainless steel, mirror polished
and smooth. The bolsters bed and lock a pair of striking Eudialite
gemstone handle scales. This stunning gem comes from the Kola
peninsula in far northwest Russia, and is almandine (garnet)
crystals that are reddish-lilac or hyacinthine in color. The crystal
bearing gemstone handle scales are polished and smooth, and all
areas of the handle completely finished, contoured, rounded, and
comfortable. The handle shape with the large belly and deep
forefinger quillon in combination with the large thumb rise
supported by the front bolster means that the feel of this knife is
elegant, silky, and solid with the balance point at the front
quillon apex.
- Sheath: For a commensurate sheath, I chose an
arrangement and design that is subtle yet classy. I designed a
high-backed leather sheath in 9-10 oz. leather shoulder, a very
heavyweight leather that is durable and thick. The long blade rests
between substantial welts that are hardened and polished. The sheath
is hand-carved to accept 11 large inlays of black Emu skin
artistically arranged on the front, back, and even on the wide belt
loop. The Emu is soft and tough, and the leather is dyed to a deep
chestnut brown color and hand-stitched with brown polyester. The
entire sheath is sealed with an acrylic gloss sealer and hand waxed
and buffed to resist the elements and time.
- A stunning, beautiful, and refined arrangement: a knife with
unique and exquisite simplicity and form, a commensurate sheath of
rugged security and authority.
Thanks, B. M.!
I had this this white box on my bench….Like the new drawstring bag that comes with the knife..
The knife is an amazing recreation of a vision upon which we collaborated to the “T.” I looked at every seam
and joint with 3.5X loupe magnification..polish and fit are amazing (not a space or rough spot anywhere, stone
color is dramatic and the dovetail fittings are for me technically unimaginable (except that I have it here
real-time in my hands), the sheath is a real work of art…the stitching and leather selection are so well
constructed and the edges are solid and even. This specimen and leather selection is a real work of art.
The balance and ergonomics are excellent. The appearance of the knife belies the intricate balance your
skills have achieved. One would think from looking that it would be blade heavy, but it is not.
All in
all I am totally pleased. Unfortunately words are insufficient to match your skills as a master craftsman.
Keep up the good work…
--B.
Please click on thumbnail photos