Knifemaking: the Halvard

“Kinsmen to kinsmen should be true.”

~The Saga of Olaf Haraldsson, c.186

The Halvard was built for a retiring military commander and commissioned by his crew.  A battle ready knife, built to use, but equally at home on display with merits of a successful career.  

Made from 1095 hi-carbon steel with a forced patina: a rugged appearance lending itself to rugged tasks.  The handle is made from a pair of BDU trousers, a nod to service, and a reminder that, though he may no longer wear the uniform, the uniform is always with him.

This knife took a long time to build.  About midway through the build we had to shutdown our shop due to a global pandemic, and getting back into the swing of things hasn’t been easy.  Nevertheless as we build these knives, we find that the knives also build us.  Halvard is a Norse name meaning “rock guardian”: solid, unbending, and steadily dedicated to the task at hand.

It was a pleasure building this knife for a group of Vikings.

halvard1

halvard2

halvard3

halvard4

halvard5