Description
Nine point eight inches long and nine point eight ounces heavy. A coincidence, but a useful one to remember. The Bobcat is a five-inch hunter with brass file-work down the spine and a handle just under five inches, and it is one of the older patterns we still forge unchanged.
| Overall length | 9.8 inches |
| Blade length | 5 inches |
| Handle length | 4.8 inches |
| Handle | Stag antler with black horn and amber spacer bands |
| Steel | 1095 + 15N20 Damascus, 352 layers |
| Hardness | 58–60 HRC, oil tempered |
| Weight | 9.8 oz |
| Pattern | Damascus Blade, Extreme custom Brass File-work |
| Included | Hand-stitched leather sheath |
Built for: deer-sized game and the camp that follows. Five inches of edge handles a whole animal without a second knife, and the near-equal blade and handle lengths place the balance point under your index finger, which is where it belongs for long controlled cuts rather than for chopping.
File-work is decoration with a cost
The brass work along the spine is cut by hand, file stroke by file stroke, and it is why no two Bobcats look alike. It is also somewhere for dirt to live. If you thumb the spine while cutting you will find the grooves catch slightly. Some people welcome the extra purchase and others find it uncomfortable after an hour, so try it before assuming. Brass darkens on its own schedule, and a three-year-old knife will have a warmer, duller spine than a new one. That is expected, and it is not corrosion.
What ten ounces does to your day
Enough weight to help and not enough to punish. Set against a fourteen-ounce chopper, you can wear this on a belt from dawn to dusk and hardly register it. Set against a light folder, you gain momentum, which counts when you are pushing through hide instead of slicing paper. For most hunters this is the sensible center of the range.
Care
Two materials, two routines. The steel is carbon Damascus and follows familiar rules: get it dry, keep a trace of oil on it, and never leave it in the sheath between seasons. The brass wants the opposite of attention, meaning a dry cloth and nothing more. Aggressive polish lifts compound into the filed grooves and, worse, carries it onto the etched steel alongside, where it permanently dulls the pattern contrast. Our Damascus care and sharpening notes cover the routine, and if a wet week has left spots, removing rust from a knife explains what to use and what to keep away from an etched surface.
FAQs
How long before it patinas? Weeks, if you use it. The gray film that forms is stable and slows further corrosion, so most owners leave it alone.
Is the file-work structural? No. It is decorative, cut into the spine, well away from the edge and the tang.
What is completely unlike this? A curved design such as the Onyx Fang karambit, which shares the steel and nothing else about grip or cutting motion.
Model: BMK-103
Lynn Look (store manager) –
Bought as a Christmas present for my nephew (I have three). He loved it!!! Excellent service. Fast shipping. Beautiful craftsmanship. Will definitely be making more purchases from this shop.
Kala L. (verified owner) –
Beautiful site, easy to use.
Jeff L. (verified owner) –
Customer service is amazing – fast and helpful! Can’t wait to present this gift, the quality looks unbelievable!
MARK R. (verified owner) –
Prices were a bit confusing. they appeared to change periodically.
excellent pictures and description.
Patty B. (verified owner) –
Jack was very helpful and patient in helping me place my order. Disappointed that two items were “out of stock” – went ahead and placed order for two others and hopeful they will arrive in time for Christmas holiday. Will update when items are received regarding quality etc.
Dan Emery –
I bought this knife for my father who has been an avid hunter for 40+ years. My dad doesn’t get too excited about things but let me tell you, he got excited about this knife. After holding this knife it makes you feel like knives you’ve held in the past were toys. It’s certainly very solid, and truly beautiful. Thank you for your hard work on this future heirloom.
Dan Emery –
I bought this knife for my father who has been an avid hunter for 40+ years. My dad doesn’t get excited about much, but he got excited about this knife. After holding it you’ll think knives you used in the past were toys. The knife is certainly very solid and robust, and on top of that it’s a thing of beauty. Thank you for the hard work you’ve put into this, and I’m ecstatic I could support a company making great products like this in the USA.
Myrna A. (verified owner) –
User-friendly shopping experience. Beautiful knives.
David W. (verified owner) –
Online chat feature was helpful. Good looking knives. Cant wait to give to my dad!
Fredrick R. (verified owner) –
Easy to order, nice looking knives.
Sheila B. (verified owner) –
Online live chat Jack has been most helpful!
Teresa L. (verified owner) –
I did email to check on shipping time as this was for my brothers birthday. Answered promptly and had the knife within a week of ordering!
PS….My brother loved the knife!
Jason P. (verified owner) –
Product is spot on and I’m very satisfied
Alfred D. (verified owner) –
Order, shipping, receiving all a great experience. Knives I ordered are beautiful. Thank you
Jason V. (verified owner) –
looks like you make great knives. replacing my Kershaw..!
Mads K. (verified owner) –
Easy to navigate the payment process and I appreciate the option to engrave a personal message
Nicholas S. (verified owner) –
I had a few questions about the knives and customizations you can do for them and the manager I spoke to (Jack) was very helpful.
Daniel T. (verified owner) –
Great site with detailed pictures and description.
Travis R. (verified owner) –
Getting a knife made to order. What could be better.
Jason Leach (verified owner) –
This knife underwhelmed me! So rhe blade is fine. It’s Damacus, and looked great, sharp out of the box. But rhe handle is VERY disappointing! Not at all like the photo. Basically a flat oval, not a rounded meaty handle as it looks in these photos. There’s nothing to the handle basically. More wood then antler. I’m just very disappointed in this knife. Workmanship seems fine, but the handle is a major problem with this knife, poorly executed….a flat handle and doesn’t feel good in the hand!
Poorly done!
Nancy Brown (verified owner) –
Gift for my nephew for taking me hunting in Kentucky! Great quality, awesome craftmanship! I will certainly order more!