Description
Briar Rose is a bowie grown past the size where anyone would still call it a knife. Twenty-two inches overall, with a long clip point and a swedge running most of the way back — the Alamo-era pattern, built at the scale those were actually made at before the pocket-friendly versions took over.
The blade is Damascus forged in a twisted rose pattern: the billet is wound along its length before it is drawn out, so the layers surface as concentric roses rather than the usual flowing lines. It is etched deep and left matte, which is the right call — a mirror polish would flatten a pattern this busy into glare, and matte lets you read every ring. The handle is stabilized walnut burl, pinned with brass, between a brass cross guard and a brass butt cap, with a leather thong through the lanyard hole.
| Overall length | 22 inches |
| Blade | Clip point with long swedge |
| Steel | Hand-forged Damascus, twisted rose pattern |
| Finish | Deep acid etched, matte |
| Handle | Stabilized walnut burl |
| Fittings | Brass cross guard, brass pins, brass butt cap |
| Lanyard | Drilled lanyard hole with leather thong |
| Included | Fitted leather scabbard |
Built for: the wall, mostly, and honestly so. At this length it is a display and collection piece first — but it is a real blade with a real edge and a real cross guard, not a decorative casting. It will chop camp wood and it will clear brush if you ask it to.
On the twisted rose pattern: one of the harder Damascus patterns to execute, because the twist has to be even along the whole billet or the roses come out lopsided. Every blade is forged individually, so the figure on yours will not match the photograph exactly — that is the nature of pattern-welded steel.
On stabilized burl: walnut burl is the knotted, swirled growth from the trunk, and it is beautiful and unstable in equal measure. Stabilizing forces resin through the wood under vacuum, so it will not move, crack or absorb moisture. No two slabs look alike.
Care: Damascus is high carbon steel and it will rust if left wet. Wipe the blade dry after handling — fingerprints are acidic — and keep a light coat of mineral oil on it. Store the sword out of the scabbard; leather holds moisture against steel. The brass will develop a warm patina; leave it or bring it back with a cloth and metal polish, whichever you prefer. The stabilized burl needs nothing.
FAQs
Is this a sword or a knife? Both terms fit. It is a bowie pattern built at sword length — what the nineteenth century would have called a bowie and what a modern catalogue files under short sword. Twenty-two inches overall puts it well past any knife you would carry.
Is the Damascus real? Yes — pattern-welded from alternating layers of high carbon steel, hand-forged, twisted, then acid etched to reveal the pattern. Not a laser-etched imitation.
Does it arrive sharp? Yes, sharpened and ready. If you want it delivered unsharpened for display or for shipping to a jurisdiction that requires it, say so in the order notes.
Is a scabbard included? Yes — a fitted leather scabbard comes with the sword.
Can it be engraved? Yes — add laser engraving at checkout. On a matte etched blade, engraving reads beautifully.
Make it a gift: add laser engraving at checkout. Every order ships from Memphis, TN with a lifetime warranty — backed by 2,000+ verified 5-star reviews.
Model: BMK-1128
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