I had the honor to produce a one of a kind knife to be raffled off at the 2023 Black Bear Bonanza this year to raise funds for conservation in Arkansas.  As I worked on the knife I couldn't help but think about the thousands of man-hours that made this project possible.  Without the visionary work and dedication of great men like Teddy Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold to pave the way for conservation, the Arkansas Game and Fish for their efforts to manage black bear populations, Clay Newcomb to hunt and harvest the bear who donated it's femur for the handle, Brad Green for his efforts to trap and tan the beavertail, my mentors for teaching me the craft, and so on, this nod to conservation wouldn't be possible.  I played a very small roll in assembling the knife and sheath but the true hero's of this project are the hundreds if not thousands of men who came before me to make this possible.  Projects like this are what the legacy of conservation, community, and Back Country Hunters and Anglers are all about.  God has placed man as managers of His resources and being able to utilize them to their fullest potential is in my opinion our ethical obligation which sometimes means preserving them, other times it means conserving them, and oftentimes it means maximizing their yield responsibly and choosing to be intentional and not wasteful.   

This blade is handmade from AEB-L steel, which has become my favorite general purpose steel for knife making.  It's 9.25" in overall length with a 4.5" cutting edge and features a fully rounded spine along the top.  The blade shape is optimized for processing bear and the semi-skinner design can be traced back to the works of George W Sears as an influential writer and adventurer under the pen name Nessmuck.  The guard and pommel are brass and are contoured to match the bone.  The bone handle is from a black bear femur hunted by Clay Newcomb.  The sheath is constructed from Herman Oak leather with a beavertail inlay.  The beaver was trapped by Brad Green on Arkansas public land and tanned by Brad at his house.  Everything was hand sewn using braided thread and a saddle stitch. 

It should last multiple generations and I look forward to seeing field photos of it being used in the field to provide for their families.  This donation piece represents what conservation and being a sportsman is about to me through my craft as a knifemaker.  It will be available exclusively at the Second Annual Black Bear Bonanza on March 4, 2023 at the Quail Barn in Bentonville Arkansas.  The address there is 11670 AR-72 in Bentonville, AR 72712.  It will be one of many desirable items raffled off for those in attendance.  Last year's event was an absolute hoot and this year's will be even bigger and better.  I hope to see you all there!

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That knife is Stunning!!!!!

Quote from: Cory Mattson on August 21, 2022, 11:43:29 AM
That knife is Stunning!!!!!

Thank you sir.  Come on out to the second annual Black Bear Bonanza this upcoming spring!  It was an absolute blast last year.  We had a bear fat rendering demo, raffled off over $20K in gear, auctioned off a Canadian bear hunt, did a live recording of Bear Hunting Podcast, had food and drink vendors, the AR Game and Fish brought out some reptiles and fish and archery for the kids, we had a rimfire silhouette shoot on site and 3D archery, there were two falconry folks with their birds on site.  There was a LOT of fun stuff to do for conservation.  This one will be part of the raffle open to all who attend.

WOW, that's amazing..

Beautiful work!

Beautiful work as usual sir! It should raise a lot of money!

Amazing work!

That's top shelf, beautiful work.

Stunning Knife. 

 

Outstanding! That knife is beautiful, indeed.

Quote from: Roy from Pa on August 21, 2022, 12:26:43 PM
WOW, that's amazing..

Quote from: Stringwacker on August 21, 2022, 02:36:33 PM
Beautiful work!

Quote from: rastaman on August 21, 2022, 03:18:07 PM
Beautiful work as usual sir! It should raise a lot of money!

Quote from: mgf on August 21, 2022, 04:58:47 PM
Amazing work!

Quote from: Bruce M on August 21, 2022, 06:33:19 PM
That's top shelf, beautiful work.

Quote from: Wudstix on August 22, 2022, 12:03:39 PM
Stunning Knife. 

Quote from: Terry Green on August 22, 2022, 02:16:47 PM

Quote from: Sam McMichael on August 22, 2022, 04:59:39 PM
Outstanding! That knife is beautiful, indeed.

Thank y'all.  I hope to see you all at the Black Bear Bonanza!

That could also serve as an emergency mirror in a pinch!

Wow, what a beautiful work!  When I saw the first picture I thought the antler had somehow been made part of the blade. Only as I scrolled down did I realize I was looking at a reflection! 

Great looking knife,congratulations for your art work

WOW and double WOW !!!
Your work is just Awesome

That is REALLY nice I love a good sheath knife with a drop point that knife has it all what craftmanship

Nice work sir!

Quote from: Bowwild on August 23, 2022, 07:02:28 AM
Wow, what a beautiful work!  When I saw the first picture I thought the antler had somehow been made part of the blade. Only as I scrolled down did I realize I was looking at a reflection! 

Quote from: cacciatore on August 23, 2022, 12:52:41 PM
Great looking knife,congratulations for your art work

Quote from: Duker on August 23, 2022, 01:00:24 PM
WOW and double WOW !!!
Your work is just Awesome

Quote from: Tim Finley on August 25, 2022, 07:43:08 PM
That is REALLY nice I love a good sheath knife with a drop point that knife has it all what craftmanship

Quote from: GWV on August 25, 2022, 07:54:04 PM
Nice work sir!

Quote from: Wudstix on August 22, 2022, 10:52:51 PM
That could also serve as an emergency mirror in a pinch!

Thank y'all.

I have seen and owned quite a few custom knifes in my time
and I would be proud to own that one, unfortunately I can't be there.
well done.