"Kestrel" in Fossil Coral

[Jarrett Knives]

“Kestrel” in Fossil Coral – 1095 Differentially heat treated with Hamon; Fossil Coral and Eucalyptus Burl

I thought I'd post this one over here for those of you that don't frequent the 'for sale' area. I'm pretty fond of this particular piece.

This knife is the second edition of my “Kestrel” series – same exact style but with some amazing handle material. The stabilized fossil coral is said to be at up to 100 million years old and it comes in a multitude of natural colors derived from the minerals in the water where it lay on the bottom of the sea for milleniums. One key to using the fossil coral is knowing how to work it. It is very fragile until it is attached firmly in place - similar to Mammoth Tooth -and then it's fine. The key is to provide a shock absorber which is why I like to use a wood “underlay” for it. Not only does it help protect the coral, but it makes for a very beautiful handle treatment. Take a look!

Left Profile

Right Profile

Blade: OAL:6 7/8" Flat Ground 3 1/8" X 15/16" X 1/8"; 1095 Differentially heat treated with Hamon RC 58-59.

Bolster/Hardware: Black paper Micarta; Nickel Silver Pins and Thong tube

File Work: “Vine and Thorn” Pattern on Blade

“Vine and Thorn” File Work done by hand, no dremels.

Handle: Beautiful fossil coral scales; Eucalyptus Burl “underlayment”.

Sheath: 6-7 oz. premium leather made and hand sewn by maker; dark brown “boot quality” high gloss.

Extras: A leather thong with a handmade Desert Ironwood bead, by maker.

I appreciate you taking a look at my new series of knives and I welcome any and all comments. Please check out my web site as well. Oh yeah, Happy Father's Day to all.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I think it looks great, but have a question. The wood looks good, but I think it would look better if the material you affixed the coral to was the black paper Micarta that you used for the bolster. Would that work or is it to hard a material to give any cushioning?

 

[Jarrett Knives]

Hi Keith -

You pose an interesting question. I don't intend to make it sound like the burl, i.e. any stabilized wood, underlayment provides a superior "cushioning" effect. However, it does act as a shock absorber more so than other materials and it's far better than the coral just being attached to the tang. Ask me how I know this?

I too agree that the black Micarta would look outstanding underneath the coral but since Micarta is so very hard, I think it would simply enhance the shock if the knife were to be dropped on a very hard surface like tile or cement.

If you've ever owned a Mammoth Tooth handled knife, and perchance you dropped it - you may know that should the material chip off, the material itself actually helps you when repairing it. Since there is such a random pattern in the coral, and since the Mammoth chips along the enamel fault lines, it makes it simple to use some super glue to put it back on - and the repair is almost invisible.

Thanks for the comment and if you're a Dad, let me say Happy Father's Day. Remind the kids (no matter their age) that Dad's need love too!