Damascus Cowboy Knife, Stag Antler Handle and Pancake Sheath

Most of the hours in this one went into the leather. The blade is 5 inches of Damascus over a high carbon core, a drop point with a long shallow belly out to a fine tip. The handle is stag antler. The face of the sheath is carved by hand, a floral pattern cut and shaded instead of pressed in with a stamp.

Specification

The blade

The steel is Damascus with a high carbon core. Layers are forged and twisted, then etched so the lines stand apart. The pattern is decoration. The core under it does the cutting. The bevel is etched to the edge, so the twist carries onto the working steel. The shape is a drop point, straight along the spine before it dips, with a long shallow belly beneath. A straight spine takes a thumb when you push a cut. Carbon steel darkens to a grey patina with use, and it spots if left wet.

The handle

Stag antler is less a material you shape than one you work around. Every piece has its own ridges and hollows, and the outer skin is coarse where the inside is smooth, so the grip sits differently on every knife. The tang is full and runs the whole length between two antler scales, with three brass pins through it and a lanyard hole at the butt. At 4.75 inches there is room for a gloved hand and a bit spare.

The pancake sheath

Two pieces of vegetable tanned leather stitched face to face, with a welt in the seam so the thread never sits against the edge. The pocket sits in the middle with a flat wing of leather either side. Two tall slots are cut through those wings, and nothing is stitched on the back. Your belt runs through the slots and pulls it flat, so it does not swing when you sit down.

Who it suits

A stamped basket weave is struck into damp hide, one square repeated across the face. This one is drawn on, cut with a swivel knife, and shaded by hand.

• Buyers who buy for the leather
• Anyone who owns a stamped sheath already
• People giving a knife that looks handmade
• Owners who carry flat on a belt

What comes in the box

• The 5 inch Damascus knife
• The hand carved pancake sheath
• A care card
• An engraving proof if you ordered one

Every piece is different

Antler is grown rather than milled, so colour and texture move from one handle to the next, some pieces fatter in the palm. The twist in the steel never repeats. The carving is freehand, so the flowers on yours lie at their own angles. The photographs show one knife we made. Yours will be its own.

Looking after it

Wipe the blade dry and leave a film of oil on it before it goes away. The carved face wants a damp cloth now and then, and conditioner once a year so the cuts stay open. Do not keep the knife inside the sheath for months. Leather holds damp against steel and that is where pitting starts. Sharpen on a stone and finish on a strop. Our care and sharpening page goes further.

Put a name on it

Laser engraving is 20 dollars per blade and you add it on this page. Around 30 characters fits, so a name and a date. We send a proof image first, so nothing is burned in until you have seen it. Allow 3 to 5 business days for it. Order 10 or more and engraving is free. The engraving page has the rest.

Questions buyers ask

What is the difference between carved and stamped leather? A stamp repeats one shape under a mallet. Carving is cut freehand and shaded so the pattern lifts. Minutes against hours.

Why does the sheath cost about what the blade does? Because it takes about as long. Carving moves at the speed of a wrist.

How does a pancake sheath sit on a belt? Two layers stitched face to face, with two tall slots cut through the wings. The belt runs through both and the knife rides flat, not swinging off a loop.

Will it rust? It can. The core is high carbon, and carbon steel spots if left damp. Dry it and oil it.

Does the carving hold up to being carried? It softens where leather rubs cloth. Conditioner keeps the cuts open.

When will it get here? Most US orders arrive in 5 to 7 business days.

For Damascus on wood, look at the Damascus Ranch Knife in olive wood. For carbon steel with no point, there is the hand forged bull cutter with a rosewood handle. This one sits in cowboy knives, the etched blades under Damascus steel, and a drop point this size among the hunting knives.