Damascus Folding Knife, Ram Horn Handle and Carved Pouch

Two ridged pieces of horn will not sit on a folding frame by themselves. They are worked until they will, and that is most of the labour here. It carries like any 4.5 inch folder, deep in a pocket and warm by afternoon. The blade is Damascus over a high carbon core, 3.25 inches. Shut, the ram horn scales sit flush with the brass.

Specification

The blade

Damascus over a high carbon core, etched to a twist. A twist begins with the welded bar heated and wound along its length, then forged flat, so the layers wrap round themselves and the acid reads them as rope down the blade. Decoration and nothing beyond it. The core carries the edge. The shape is a drop point, the spine curving down to a low tip that stays where the hand is pointing. Carbon steel goes grey with age and it spots if you close it wet and forget it.

The lock and the opening

The lock here is a lock back. A steel bar sits along the spine, hinged near the middle, with a nose that settles into a notch in the tang once the blade is right over. A small spring holds that nose down. The release is the far end of that bar, at the tail of the handle, and pressing there lifts the nose clear so the blade folds. Opening is by the crescent nail nick, a thumbnail and a steady pull.

The handle

Ram horn runs amber to dark brown and it is ridged across its width, because a horn grows in seasons and each leaves a wave. The inside face of each scale comes down flat while the ridged outside is left as it grew, and the pair are matched so the shut knife has no step at the brass. Slow work with a file. Brass bolsters cap both ends, brass pins hold the scales, and closed it is 4.5 inches in a pocket.

The leather pouch

Vegetable tanned leather, hand stitched, a thistle carved into the face. Carving means the outline goes in with a swivel knife and the shapes are punched up until head and leaves stand off the ground, slower than stamping. A flat sleeve, open at one end, and the folded knife slides down into it. There is no flap and nothing to hang it from. That makes it a pouch, not a sheath.

Who it suits

Horn goes to buyers who notice handles first.

• People who like amber and ridges
• Anyone after a folder with a carved pouch
• Buyers wanting a spine bar, not a spring
• Collectors keeping to natural materials

What comes in the box

• The ram horn Damascus folder
• The hand carved thistle slip pouch
• A care card
• Free sharpening for life

Every piece is different

No two horns grow alike, so ridges land where they land and colour runs from pale honey to nearly black. Some scales are almost clear at the thin end. The rope follows how far the bar wound. You get the same knife as the photograph, and a different handle from it.

Looking after it

Horn stays content away from heat and soaking. A dashboard in summer is the quickest way to shrink a scale. A little oil once or twice a year keeps the colour up and stops it going chalky. Carbon steel sits below the etch, so dry it and oil the pattern. Rinse the joint if it grits, then a drop on the pivot. More sits on the care and sharpening page.

Put a name on it

Laser engraving is 20 dollars per blade, added here. About 30 characters fit, a name and a year, not a sentence. Letters go on the steel, since ridged horn has nowhere flat. A proof image goes out and the laser waits on your word, adding 3 to 5 business days. Ten or more and there is no charge. The engraving page covers the rest.

Questions buyers ask

Are the ridges smooth or sharp? Smooth, sanded to roll under a palm.

Do the scales sit flush? Filed one at a time, so no step at the brass.

Where do I press to fold it? The tail of the bar, at the back.

Will it rust? It can. Carbon steel below the pattern. Dry it, oil it.

May I carry it? Laws differ by state, city and country, so check your local rules, and we cannot advise on that.

How soon does it arrive? Most US orders arrive in 5 to 7 business days.

Stone instead of ridges is the camel bone folder with the turquoise line, and a plainer handle on the same bar is the rosewood and brass lock back. Find it with the folding knives, older outlines in pocket knives, daily ones in everyday carry knives.