Bellatrix




"Bellatrix" Fine Custom Handmade Folding Knife
- Size: Length overall: 6.5" (16.5 cm), Blade Length: 2.6" (6.6 cm), Thickness: 0.078" (2.0 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 4.3 oz. (122 grams), Sheaths:
Black Basketweave 2.4 oz. (68 grams), Black Patent Leather: 1.2 oz.
(34 grams), American Bison: 2.6 oz. (74 grams), Brown Tooled: 2.2
oz. (62 grams) Complete roll with knife and all sheaths: 2 lb. 4 oz.
(1.02 kg)
- Blade: ATS-34 high molybdenum martensitic stainless steel blade, T3 deep cryogenically treated with triple tempering to 59 HRC
- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, polished, hand-engraved
- Handle: Roostertail Agate (Pata de Gallo) Gemstone (Durango, Mexico)
- Sheaths (4):
- Black basketweave: 5-6 oz. hand-tooled leather shoulder, nylon stitching, stainless steel dot snap
- Black Patent Leather: 3 oz. leather side, nylon stitching, stainless steel dot snap
- American Bison (Buffalo) Skin: with 5-6 oz. leather shoulder, nylon stitching, stainless steel dot snap
- Brown Random Tooled: 5-6 oz. leather shoulder, hand-tooled, nylon stitching, stainless steel dot snap
- Roll: Triple-layer cotton canvas duck with
double-layer pockets, nylon and polyester stitching, brass-plated steel dot snaps,
11.5" (29.2 cm) wide, 49" (124 cm) long
- Knife: Bellatrix is a new folding knife design
that I made and named for the bright star on the left shoulder of
the Orion constellation. The name comes from the Latin word for
"female warrior." I wanted to create a light, bright, and beautiful
folding knife for my client, one that had plenty of visual punch and
comfortable options. The knife is a linerlock design, with a strong
titanium locking design and elegant touches. The blade has a
slight trailing point profile to create the thin, accurate tip.
- The steel I chose for this knife is
Food Contact Safe ATS-34 high molybdenum martensitic stainless
steel, chosen for its durability and toughness. Because it has high
carbon and high molybdenum, this results in profuse molybdenum as well as chromium
carbides, and high toughness (resistance to breakage), as well as wear
resistance. To bring this steel to its zenith, I used my
proprietary T3 deep cryogenic process in heat treating this
blade; it's a highly detailed, extremely sophisticated
process that takes 33 individual steps and takes over a week
long. The result of this is an incredibly wear-resistant
blade that has extremely high carbide development, fine
grain, and extremely high corrosion resistance. Asperity is
reduced; the microstructure development is superior to any
other typical handmade knife, and far above any factory or
manufactured knife. This is, simply put, ATS-34 at its very
finest advanced condition. The grind for this knife blade is
hollow, with a very thin,
tough cutting edge and an extremely fine point. I fileworked the knife completely
around the spine and liner with a vine pattern,
completely including the inside of the spine, seen only when the
blade is opened. The spine is also hardened and tempered for
strength.
- The knife is bolstered with zero-care 304 high chromium, high
nickel austenitic stainless steel bolsters, which are contoured, rounded and
finished for a comfortable feel. I hand-engraved the
bolsters with a fine scroll design, and all the fasteners are
also 304 stainless steel. I engraved those, too. This includes
the thumb studs in the blade and the pivot, which are set with
faceted garnets. I put thumb studs on both sides of the blade
for easy opening and control, and I hand-set each garnet in
stainless steel with full bezels, something rarely done due to
the difficulty of working with the materials. This makes them
extremely durable and zero-care.
- The liners are 6AL4V spring titanium and are fileworked and
differentially anodized, meaning that the liners and the file
cuts are different colors, gray and blue. This is very striking
with bright light and motion. Just a fine and subtle statement
of care.
- In nature's most eternal and durable material, stone, the handle scales of this knife are
hard and tough Roostertail Agate-Jasper, a fine-grained
chalcedony gemstone mined in Durango, Mexico. They call it "Pata de Gallo"
and it has brilliant reds, golds, and crystal and clear areas of
agate throughout, taking a high vitreous polish that is smooth and glassy.
Like many of the gemstones I use, this
is a handle that is more fascinating the closer and more
intensely it's scrutinized; see the enlargements below. It
requires zero care, maintaining the appearance indefinitely.
- The knife feels light and solid in the
hand, the blade is thin and sharp. It smoothly opens and
locks solid, and pulls and holds closed with a hidden detent
arrangement. The lock is easily released with the thumbnail. A classy
work of art for light carry and high class.
- Sheaths: I wanted to give my client a variety
of wear options; it's better to have and not need than need and not
have. I made these pocket sheaths with marine-grade stainless steel
dot snaps and full coverage flaps for security. They should
accommodate most standard belts. The mainstay (his request) was
black basketweave, a tough standard in the field. I added an
extremely lightweight patent leather sheath for dress wear (light
duty only), without being ostentatious. A heavier bold American
Bison Skin (American Buffalo) makes a strong statement. I also added
a random-tooled pattern dark brown sheath for a lighter color tone.
All of them are stitched with heavy #346 nylon thread and sealed
with saddle lacquer for longevity.
- Roll: Welcome to my new roll! My client didn't request a stand
or hard case, but he still needs a home for everything, so I created
this new roll design. The material is all cotton canvas duck,
stitched with nylon and polyester heavy thread. I chose a warm cocoa
brown with a bold red for contrast. I made the central red pocket,
lined with polyester felt for the knife, and the brown pockets are
for the sheaths. The knife will be protected in the center of the
roll layers. The edges are all
overstitched to prevent unraveling, and each pocket has two
independent layers. The knife and sheaths fit snugly inside, the
knife pocket is lined with polyester felt, and all of the pockets
are secured with brass plated steel dot snaps for security. I added
my patches inside and out, and the body of the roll is triple
layered. That way, the dot snaps and heavy stitching goes through
two layers of the canvas, and is hidden by the third layer. This
means that when in the roll, the sheaths are protected by five
layers of cotton canvas duck and the knife by six layers (including
the polyester felt)! I know
I'll be making more of these, it just makes sense to complete the
ensemble.
- An elegant, striking, and handy folding knife with a full
compliment of useful sheaths; be sure to look over all the pictures
below; I just fell in love with this knife, and wanted to be able to
see it again and again!
Thanks, R. N.!
Jay,
This is a tremendously fine knife.
The engraving and the filework are just exquisite, and give this knife a character
that can only be described as elegant. This is a knife that will be used, not an
investment for later resale.
The scales are gorgeous, and the color somehow manages to fit so well that I can't imagine any
other color choice.
The garnets manage to look like they belong, which amazes. I've encountered jewels on other knives
before, and I always thought jewels on knives were a gaudy application, somewhat like Bedazzled jeans.
The pocket sheathes you included were very thoughtful. I am very pleased to have multiple sheaths
to suit different occasions.
The handle fits my hand very well. It took me about 10 minutes to be
completely comfortable with it. Usually a new carry knife takes me about a week of daily use to be
comfortable with the balance and grip. Amazing...
Thank you for creating and selling me such a marvelous knife.
Regards,
R.
Please click on thumbnail knife photos