Gulo (glutton). In this case - gulo luscus, referring to the N. American Wolverine: "a solitary animal with a reputation for ferocity and strength out of proportion to its size, with the documented ability to kill prey many times larger than itself".
A while back I built a full tang piece(La Moufette: the Skunk) using this same Laotian Stripped Ebony, and I have wanted to build a hidden tang version ever since. I'm fascinated with this wood that feels more like plastic than wood, is heavy and hard as blazes, and takes a wonderful polish with nothing more than a 1500 grit sanding and a good clean buff. The sap wood often harbors small natural cracks that need to be minded, but otherwise its friendly to work with.
A while back I built a full tang piece(La Moufette: the Skunk) using this same Laotian Stripped Ebony, and I have wanted to build a hidden tang version ever since. I'm fascinated with this wood that feels more like plastic than wood, is heavy and hard as blazes, and takes a wonderful polish with nothing more than a 1500 grit sanding and a good clean buff. The sap wood often harbors small natural cracks that need to be minded, but otherwise its friendly to work with.
Components/Specifications:
Blade: 8 1/2" x <3/16"(to the bolster) of hand forged 1095, brute de forge flats, clay quenched, flat ground and hand sanded to 1500 grit then etched and polished to show of a prominent hamon.
Handle: 5" of sculpted Laotian Stripped Ebony with heavily etched wrought iron hardware, and one peened stainless steel pin.
Sheath: Hand tooled 5/6 oz veg tanned leather, fully lined with brain tanned deer hide, Laotian Ebony inlay, and a wrought iron stud shaped from an old spike. The leather has a buffed Mink Oil finish.
Handle: 5" of sculpted Laotian Stripped Ebony with heavily etched wrought iron hardware, and one peened stainless steel pin.
Sheath: Hand tooled 5/6 oz veg tanned leather, fully lined with brain tanned deer hide, Laotian Ebony inlay, and a wrought iron stud shaped from an old spike. The leather has a buffed Mink Oil finish.
