ABS Director/Board Knife for 2013 by Joseph Keeslar, MS
Videos - "Ben Lilly Bear Killer" Knife by Joe Keeslar, MS -ABS YouTube Channel
[media] http://www.youtube.c...h?v=fgGIAE5um0o [/media]
Master Smith Joe Keeslar describes the idea behind this project and his work on the "Ben Lilly Bear Killer" Knife
[media] http://www.youtube.c...h?v=XkjJ4APmnJg [/media]
Joe Keeslar, MS describes in detail how he planned this knife project which is the ABS Director/Board Knife for 2013
Joe’s knife is called the BEN LILLY BEAR KILLER. It was inspired by the 19th Century hunter, tracker and guide, Ben Lilly. He was born in 1856 in Alabama and followed the bear and panther westward through Mississippi and Louisiana to Texas, leaving a trail of stories about his prowess as a hunter and his goodness as a man. He was "chief huntsman" to Teddy Roosevelt, hunting in Texas and Mexico, and came to be known as the master sign reader of the Rockies. From time to time he would stop and forge a knife at a blacksmith shop during his travels; his knives were made from old files. He has been referred to by many as the "Last of the Mountain Men". There have been numerous books written about Ben Lilly one of which will accompany Joe’s incredible knife. This "Ben Lilly Bear Killer" is Joe’s interpretation of one of his knife blade designs, with my Brut de Forge integral guard and handle.
The knife is forged from a 19th Century French rasp cut file with an overall length of 15 inches and a 10 inch blade. The handle is of presentation grade curly maple. The left side of the handle is inlaid with a sterling silver medallion depicting my 50 years as a bladesmith (1962-2012). The remaining left side of the handle is inlaid with sterling silver wire in "S" and "C" Scroll design. The right side scale of the handle is inlaid with sterling silver, copper, and brass wire in the design of the American Bladesmith Society logo, i.e. anvil, knife, flames and the letters ABS. The remainder of the right scale is covered in "S" and "C" Scrolls in sterling silver wire.
The Bolsters are of #416 stainless and engraved with a "Dragon Scale" design. The spline of the blade has decorative file work and is engraved in "The Vine" pattern. There is also decorative file work and engraving on the pommel end of the tang of the knife.
The sheath is of 8 oz. tooling leather with a 4 oz. leather liner made in a Southwestern design. It is tooled in a basket weave pattern with a large Concho on the front of the sheath.
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Wow! What a beautiful piece of craftsmanship!
