{"product_id":"damascus-cowboy-knife-stag-antler","title":"Damascus Cowboy Knife, Stag Antler Handle and Pancake Sheath","description":"\u003cp\u003eMost 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecification\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOverall length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9.75 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHandle length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.75 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade steel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDamascus, high carbon core\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade finish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEtched twist pattern, bevel etched to the edge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade shape\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDrop point, straight spine with a long shallow belly to a fine tip\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull tang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHandle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStag antler, three brass pins, lanyard hole\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSheath\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHand carved pancake sheath, two belt slots\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEngraving\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 dollars per blade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMade in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForged and finished by hand in High Point, North Carolina.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifetime warranty against defects, free sharpening for life.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe blade\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe handle\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eStag 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe pancake sheath\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwo 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho it suits\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuyers who buy for the leather\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone who owns a stamped sheath already\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeople giving a knife that looks handmade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOwners who carry flat on a belt\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat comes in the box\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 5 inch Damascus knife\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe hand carved pancake sheath\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA care card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn engraving proof if you ordered one\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eEvery piece is different\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAntler 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eLooking after it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWipe 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 \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/knife-care-sharpening\"\u003ecare and sharpening page\u003c\/a\u003e goes further.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePut a name on it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLaser 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 \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/engraving\"\u003eengraving page\u003c\/a\u003e has the rest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eQuestions buyers ask\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between carved and stamped leather?\u003c\/strong\u003e A stamp repeats one shape under a mallet. Carving is cut freehand and shaded so the pattern lifts. Minutes against hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does the sheath cost about what the blade does?\u003c\/strong\u003e Because it takes about as long. Carving moves at the speed of a wrist.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does a pancake sheath sit on a belt?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it rust?\u003c\/strong\u003e It can. The core is high carbon, and carbon steel spots if left damp. Dry it and oil it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the carving hold up to being carried?\u003c\/strong\u003e It softens where leather rubs cloth. Conditioner keeps the cuts open.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen will it get here?\u003c\/strong\u003e Most US orders arrive in 5 to 7 business days.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Damascus on wood, look at the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/damascus-ranch-knife-olive-wood\"\u003eDamascus Ranch Knife in olive wood\u003c\/a\u003e. For carbon steel with no point, there is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hand-forged-cowboy-bull-cutter-rosewood\"\u003ehand forged bull cutter with a rosewood handle\u003c\/a\u003e. This one sits in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/cowboy-knives\"\u003ecowboy knives\u003c\/a\u003e, the etched blades under \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/damascus-steel\"\u003eDamascus steel\u003c\/a\u003e, and a drop point this size among the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hunting-knives\"\u003ehunting knives\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Viper Edge USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44145057890422,"sku":"VEF-COW-DAM-1402","price":259.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/2427\/9670\/files\/cowboy-08-damascus-stag-antler_52415b05-6fee-4752-899f-dcc53d6fbed2.jpg?v=1788843515","url":"https:\/\/viperedgeforge.com\/products\/damascus-cowboy-knife-stag-antler","provider":"Viper Edge USA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}