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- Apr 21, 2012
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One of my favorite designs by Chris is the Mamushi. The blade resonates with my sense of aesthetics and also my intended philosophy of use for a knife of this size.
Components of the ideal bushcraft knife discussed by Mors Kochanski in his book, Bush Craft, include that the length of the blade is approximate in length to the palm of your hand, not including the thumb, and that the curvature of the blade extends along the entire cutting length. The Mamushi certainly meets these criteria.
However, in contrast to many bushcraft knives, there is a deep and distinctive notch for the index finger and a prominent, squared integral guard... features you may find on knives used for a purpose that necessitates security of grip.
These hybrid characteristics are most fitting, given the blade's inspiration:
The knife is named after the Japanese Pit Viper (Japanese Mamushi), Gloydius blomhoffii, which is described as a venomous ambush predator...
Tech Specs:
The particular specimen that I have been able to isolate is 7 and 3/4" long.
The cutting edge is 3 and 5/16".
Steel is 1/8" (.125") hammer-textured CPM154, tapering down to .03" at the bottom of the tang.
At the thinnest point in the index finger notch, the width of the handle is .82". The widest point of the handle is .92". The width of the integral guarded area is 1.24".
The weight of this mamushi is 4 oz. The edge is 19 degrees per side, which is very close to how it was received by Chris. It was, and is, extremely sharp.
Natural canvas micarta lines the steel, and a double-pinstripe layout outlines the bookmatched buckeye burl with orange striping and the tangerine Shadetree Custom Composites burlap with white striping.
Photos:
I was able to find some time to relax and take it out to the range with me this afternoon:
.03" tapered tang:
Featured with a custom sheath by Diomedes Industries. The "B" was stamped on the dangler, to our specifications, as a family marker.
Although at first the curvature of the blade reminded me of the Fiddleback Forge Bushboot, one of my favorites from their catalogue, I soon realized that the Osprey Knife & Tool Mamushi was in its own domain. The blade shape is quite distinct, as are the contours of the handle. The attributes that lend to work in the woods as well as defensive use are very appealing to me, and they are complimented by the maker's obvious talent that manifests here in the grind and in the symmetry and alignment of handle materials.
Overall, I consider the Mamushi a possible *bushcraft knife, EDC blade, adventure knife, utility blade, last ditch defense knife, woods wandering tool* that is representative of Chris Linton's remarkable advancement as a knifemaker over the last couple of years.
I encourage readers here to post up pictures and/or their evaluation of the mamushi. For those who do not have one, yet, I encourage you to take a second look and tune in on the Thursday sales threads.
Components of the ideal bushcraft knife discussed by Mors Kochanski in his book, Bush Craft, include that the length of the blade is approximate in length to the palm of your hand, not including the thumb, and that the curvature of the blade extends along the entire cutting length. The Mamushi certainly meets these criteria.
However, in contrast to many bushcraft knives, there is a deep and distinctive notch for the index finger and a prominent, squared integral guard... features you may find on knives used for a purpose that necessitates security of grip.
These hybrid characteristics are most fitting, given the blade's inspiration:
The knife is named after the Japanese Pit Viper (Japanese Mamushi), Gloydius blomhoffii, which is described as a venomous ambush predator...
Natural-Japan.net said:
Tech Specs:
The particular specimen that I have been able to isolate is 7 and 3/4" long.
The cutting edge is 3 and 5/16".
Steel is 1/8" (.125") hammer-textured CPM154, tapering down to .03" at the bottom of the tang.
At the thinnest point in the index finger notch, the width of the handle is .82". The widest point of the handle is .92". The width of the integral guarded area is 1.24".
The weight of this mamushi is 4 oz. The edge is 19 degrees per side, which is very close to how it was received by Chris. It was, and is, extremely sharp.
Natural canvas micarta lines the steel, and a double-pinstripe layout outlines the bookmatched buckeye burl with orange striping and the tangerine Shadetree Custom Composites burlap with white striping.
Photos:
I was able to find some time to relax and take it out to the range with me this afternoon:
.03" tapered tang:
Featured with a custom sheath by Diomedes Industries. The "B" was stamped on the dangler, to our specifications, as a family marker.
Although at first the curvature of the blade reminded me of the Fiddleback Forge Bushboot, one of my favorites from their catalogue, I soon realized that the Osprey Knife & Tool Mamushi was in its own domain. The blade shape is quite distinct, as are the contours of the handle. The attributes that lend to work in the woods as well as defensive use are very appealing to me, and they are complimented by the maker's obvious talent that manifests here in the grind and in the symmetry and alignment of handle materials.
Overall, I consider the Mamushi a possible *bushcraft knife, EDC blade, adventure knife, utility blade, last ditch defense knife, woods wandering tool* that is representative of Chris Linton's remarkable advancement as a knifemaker over the last couple of years.
I encourage readers here to post up pictures and/or their evaluation of the mamushi. For those who do not have one, yet, I encourage you to take a second look and tune in on the Thursday sales threads.
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