Description
Bronze Fist is the traditional one. Figured rosewood, a solid brass bolster, brass pins, and a mirror-polished D2 spear point — the palette of a nineteenth century gentleman’s knife rather than anything modern. It would not look out of place in a display cabinet next to a pocket watch, and it is still perfectly capable of doing what a push dagger does.
The polish
Mirror finishing is the least forgiving job in the shop. The blade passes through a long ladder of progressively finer abrasives and then several buffing compounds, and every single stage must completely remove the scratch pattern left by the previous one. There is no hiding a missed grit; it shows up as a haze under a bright light once everything else is gone. On a double-edged blade the work doubles, because both faces and both bevels have to arrive at the same place. When it is right, the flats reflect cleanly and the transition into the edge bevel reads as a single crisp line down each side.
| Overall Length | 7 inches |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 4 inches |
| Handle Width | 3.5 inches (T-grip) |
| Blade Steel | D2 tool steel |
| Blade Finish | High mirror polished |
| Blade Style | Double-edged spear point, center fuller |
| Handle Material | Figured rosewood |
| Bolster | Solid brass |
| Fittings | Brass pins |
| Tang | Full tang |
| Sheath | Handmade dark brown leather sheath with brass stud and belt loop (included) |
Brass and rosewood
The bolster is solid brass, fitted at the front of the handle where it takes the impact and adds a little forward weight. The scales are figured rosewood, selected from boards whose ripple crosses the hand rather than following it: burnt orange and red laced with almost-black streaks. They are taken through fine abrasives and buffed on a wheel instead of being sealed under lacquer, so what you touch is wood. Brass pins pass through the wood and the steel beneath it.
Brass is not a maintenance-free metal and that is deliberate. Left alone it will dull to a soft antique gold; polished occasionally it will stay bright. Either is correct, and both look better than the day it left us.
How the shape works
The handle crosses the palm and the blade projects forward from between the second and third fingers; you hold a push dagger by shutting your hand, not by clamping a handle. Everything your arm can generate goes down the axis of the blade without passing through your wrist, and the knife cannot rotate or be stripped out of a closed hand. It is the most positive hold in fixed blade design. That security is why the shape was popular with people who wanted a serious knife they could hold onto, and why it still appeals to collectors today.
Four inches of double-edged blade with a defined centreline running to the tip gives you a stiff, symmetrical point. Both edges are ground and both are sharp, so the knife cuts on the withdrawal as readily as on the thrust.
D2 underneath the shine
D2 carries a great deal of carbon and a great deal of chromium, which together throw out a heavy population of hard chromium carbides. Those carbides are why the edge survives abrasive work long after a plain carbon blade has given up, why it takes real patience to bring to a mirror, and why it prefers a medium stone to a very fine one when the time comes to sharpen. At around twelve percent chromium it resists corrosion well without qualifying as stainless. There is a fuller picture of where it sits among the alternatives in our steel comparison chart.
Sheath
Dark brown veg-tan leather, molded damp over the blade and up to the crossbar, saddle stitched by hand in cream linen, with a strap that crosses the grip and a belt loop sewn behind. It holds the knife to the bolster.
Care
A mirror surface records everything, so handle the flats with clean hands and wipe them before the knife goes away. Warm water and mild soap on a soft cloth, dried thoroughly, then a trace of oil. Nothing abrasive, ever — a scouring pad will undo hours of buffing in seconds. The rosewood appreciates an occasional wipe of food-safe oil, perhaps twice a year. Store it outside the sheath rather than in it, since damp leather is what causes spotting. Both edges want sharpening, so keep on top of them; our whetstone guide covers angle and pressure.
A note before you carry: push daggers are separately regulated in several states and prohibited in a few. Check your local law first.
Made in Memphis, Tennessee
Shaped, hardened, buffed, assembled and sheathed under our own roof, then edge tested before boxing. If you want the same classic proportions carrying a forged pattern-welded blade, look at the maple burl Sunspike. Mark it as a gift on the order and it will be boxed to suit. Faults in the making are covered for life, and the shop has collected well over 2,000 verified five-star reviews from customers.
Model: BMK-1194
Jeffrey Lee –
Ended up ordering a second one after how happy I was with the first. Scales feel great in hand and don’t feel slippery at all. Telling everyone I know to check this shop out.
Terrell Brooks –
The moment I saw this in person I knew it was a keeper. Fits great in the pocket without feeling bulky. Blade centering is perfect right out of the box. Liner lock is tight with zero blade play. Telling everyone I know to check this company out.
Christine Freeman –
Got this as a housewarming gift and it exceeded what I expected. Cool knowing this was handmade right in Memphis and shipped out fast. Already added a few more items from this maker to my cart.
Nathan Allen –
Feels way more premium than the price suggests. Action smoothed out even more after a few days of carry. This shop nailed it with this one.
Henry Lewis –
Got this as an anniversary gift and it exceeded what I expected. Pocket clip is sturdy and holds it right in place all day. Scales feel great in hand and don’t feel slippery at all. This is the kind of purchase that makes online shopping worth it.
Tyrone Roberts –
This pocket knife was bad start to finish. Not sure the Memphis made claim holds up given the quality I got. Clip snapped off within the first week. Liner lock barely holds the blade open. Considering asking for a return.
Craig Jimenez –
Ordering again from this shop the second I finish writing this review. Action smoothed out even more after a few days of carry. Definitely bookmarking this maker for future orders.
Timothy Patel –
I collect knives and this one is superb. Scales feel great in hand and don’t feel slippery at all. This is why Black Mamba Knives is my go to for anything knife related. This maker nailed it with this one.
Tyrone Stewart –
This pocket knife looks even better in person than in the listing photos. This is my new favorite in the collection. This is why Black Mamba Knives is my go to for anything knife related.
Anthony Campbell –
Genuinely thoroughly impressed with how this turned out. Blade centering is perfect right out of the box. Deployment is fast and confident every single time. Scales feel great in hand and don’t feel slippery at all. This company clearly takes pride in their work.
Dorothy Long –
Awesome quality for the price point.
Karen Long –
This pocket knife is beautifully made. No question about it. This has become my daily carry piece without question. Blade centering is perfect right out of the box. Beyond happy with how this turned out.
Christopher Walker –
This exceeded what I pictured in my head before ordering. Deployment is fast and confident every single time. Opens smooth every time with just a flick of the thumb. This one’s a keeper for sure.
Hannah Alvarez –
Wasn’t sure what to expect but this pocket knife nailed it. Nice to support a Memphis based knife maker, shipping was fast even internationally. Scales feel great in hand and don’t feel slippery at all. Couldn’t be happier with this.
Derek Clark –
My skepticism about ordering online disappeared the second this arrived. This is why Black Mamba Knives is my go to for anything knife related.