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The Forseti Boone Damascus Steel Skinner knife is a campcraft / hunting knife with a very sharp damascus steel blade which is a blend of 1095 and 15n20 steel creating a visually stunning unique ‘whirl effect’ blade. The handle has a very attractive Tali wood handle with a sturdy through tang and comes with a horizontal ‘scout’ leather sheath and pine wooden box.
Full Review
I believe that most knives you need come under one of ‘the three C’s’. Combat, Carry or Campcraft. This hunting knife places itself firmly in the campcraft/hunting category so if you want to stab zombies take a look at the splendid Ka-Bar and if you want a fantastic Every Day Carry take a look at the superb Lightoller Knife instead. If you want a workhorse for hunting and camping then read on….
What is Damascus Steel ?
Damascus Steel was originally forged in India, Sri Lanka and Khorasan from a type of steel called Wortz steel about a 1000 years ago. It was renowned for its sharpness and strength and its swirled pattern that was distinctive.
I challenge you to find a better hand made hunting knife for under $100 that looks as good and works as hard as this knife does
Who was Daniel Boone ?
Daniel Boone lived larger than life and is frequently the archetypal Western hero of American folklore. Boone was famous for hunting and trapping, exploration, being a militia officer, surveyor, and merchant. He even founded the village of Boonesborough, Kentucky.
In 1776, Boone’s daughter and two other teenage girls were captured by an Indian war party who carried the girls away from Boonesborough. Boone and a few men pursued after them and caught them two days later. While the Indian’s were stopping for food, Boone and his men ambushed the group. They rescued the girls and drove off their captors. This was one of the most iconic stories of Boone’s life and was memorialized in a fictionalized version of the story in The Last of the Mohicans.
The Forsetti Steel Blade
The Boone Knife blade is high carbon which means you get a very VERY sharp edge from it. There is a slight trade off though with this type of steel compared to stainless steel and that is that the damascus steel will require you to be more careful in the wet with it. I suggest anytime you use the knife for anything ‘dirty’ you wipe the blade clean and dry and also regularly wipe the blade with a light mineral oil ( or even household cooking oil) just to its wiped and then buffed clean. This thin layer will ensure the edge stays keen and the blade doesn’t get a few rust spots on it.
The blade is a roughly a 3.25 inches blade giving the overall length of just short of 7 inches with the handle. Its well balanced and hefty when you hold it in your hand and the through handle tang is thick and very well fitted through the handle. The drop point tip and 3mm thickness of the blade gives you a strong edge and the 256 folded layers makes a stunning pattern finish which is different for every single knife. There are also a forefinger groove and ground ridges along the spine gives the user plenty of leverage when using the knife as well as a hole cut in the end of the handle that you can attach a lanyard or line to.
Handle
The handle is made from Tali wood which is wonderfully closely dovetailed to the thick metal Tang through the centre. Tali is weather and insect resistant. Tali is often used in interior and exterior, including heavy construction, decking, floors and anything which is exposed to the outdoors.
Leather Pouch
The Forseti Boone knife comes with a leather pouch /sheath that can also attach to a belt loop. I actually love that its a horizontal ‘scout’ mounting because you can set this up behind you on your belt and simply reach behind out sideways to remove the knife and its more comfortable to carry it when sitting and standing when compared to a vertical sheath.
It’s the little things that make you smile ….
When you open the box from Forseti the first thing that hits you is the smell of pine. The knife itself comes with a charming wooden slide top box that’s filled with straw and has the knife nestled inside. Its a nice touch. You can also see the knives have a generous application of oil on the blades too and arrive incredibly sharp.
Gripes
I love the design and I’m impressed by the blade. Usually this is the bit where I have a bit of a moan about one thing or another but I find it hard to be critical about a knife that balances hand made unique appeal with quality and price. My only real gripe is how quickly they seem to sell out. If you look at the Forseti site they make these handmade knives in small batches and they can sell out FAST… in fact I’ve seen some sell out in a matter of weeks and not return.
Who is this knife for ?
This is NOT a decorative knife for the wall or a display cabinet. This knife is perfect for a very stylish Every Day Carry and its blade length and design means that it is unlikely to break any state laws when you carry it. Its just at home being used out on trails as it would be at home. Its that rare blend of a truly well made tool but one that’s crafted in a way that you enjoy holding it and using it way beyond it simply being there to do a task.
Lifetime Guarantee
All Forseti Knives come with a lifetime guarantee.
Verdict
The Forseti Boone Damascus Steel Skinner knife is a campcraft / hunting knife with a very sharp damascus steel blade which is a blend of 1095 and 15n20 steel creating a visually stunning unique ‘whirl effect’ blade. The handle has a very attractive Tali wood handle with a sturdy through tang and comes with a horizontal ‘scout’ leather sheath and pine wooden box.
PURCHASE $99.99A word of warning ….
In the three weeks since I reviewed the Forseti Hemingway Knife it has totally sold out. These artisanal hand made knives are all made in small batches. I would expect that the Lightoller will also have the ‘sold out’ icon added to its listing on the site so if you like what you see act like Lightoller himself and seize the moment. You wont be dissapointed.
Specs
- Overall Length: 6.75″
- Handle Length: 3.5″
- Blade Length: 3.25″
- Blade Material: Damascus Steel 1095/15n20
- Blade thickness: 2.8mm
- Tang: Full tang
- Damascus pattern: Twist
- Number of layers: 256
- Handle Material: Tali Wood or Black Micarta Handles
- Includes a hand stitched custom full-grain leather sheath with a belt loop and a wood presentation box
About Forseti Steel
The secret to forging authentic Damascus steel knives has long been lost, but Forseti Steel stays as true to the tradition as we can by commissioning blade-smiths with Damascus ancestry to hand-make all of our blades. The artists behind the enamoring water-like patterns of folded and pounded steel have all learned their skills and techniques from the generations that worked the metals before them.
In addition to paying tribute to the Damascus practice in technique and appearance, Forseti Steel shows its respect for history’s heroes, legends, and characters with our knives’ names and inspiration. The 12″, Hugh Glass Hunting Knife, for example, honors the the mountain men and frontiersmen who tried to tame this land and is a blade we are certain Hugh Glass would have wanted to carry on his expeditions.
All of our knives are made by hand. You read that correctly. Every one of our knives are painstakingly crafted one at a time. That is why no two knives are the same. The knife you receive will be similar to what you see on our site, but will vary slightly due to the materials used and individual craftsman that builds the knife. Our quality and craftsmanship is unparalleled. For that reason, we offer a 30-day unconditional money-back guarantee. If you don’t like the knife for any reason, send it back and we will refund 100% of your money, including shipping. Plus, each of our knives comes with a lifetime manufacturing defects warranty. We promise, you will not be disappointed.
