Description
Walnut burl is what happens when a tree goes wrong in an interesting way. A burl is a growth caused by stress or injury, and the grain inside it swirls rather than running straight, which is why the scales on this knife have that rippling, almost liquid figure across the palm. It is harder to work than straight-grained timber, it moves unpredictably under the belt, and it is worth the trouble every time.
| Overall Length | 7.5 inches |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 3.5 inches |
| Handle Length | 4 inches |
| Blade Steel | High carbon steel |
| Blade Finish | Matte gray satin |
| Blade Style | Sheepsfoot bull cutter with notched choil |
| Handle Material | Walnut burl wood |
| Fittings | Brass pins, lanyard hole |
| Tang | Full tang |
| Sheath | Handmade tooled leather belt sheath (included) |
Shape and purpose
The Mesa Drifter is a bull cutter, which is a pattern most people meet for the first time on a ranch or in a butcher’s hand. Straight edge, blunt front, short and stiff. There is no point to speak of, and that is the design working as intended rather than a limitation. You get a knife that cuts with its whole edge, that will not stab something you are reaching past, and that is short enough to keep close control of when your other hand is holding whatever you are cutting.
The choil is notched so you can choke up onto the ricasso. The spine is left square with a slight break on the corners, so you can put a thumb on it and push without it biting.
High carbon steel, plainly finished
Simple high carbon steel, taken to a satin finish that runs the length of the flat. There is no pattern welding here and nothing decorative about the surface; it is a plain blade that does its job and sharpens in minutes. Carbon steel in this class gets sharper than stainless, gets there faster, and gives it up faster too. For a knife that lives in a sheath on a belt and gets touched up on a stone every few weeks, that is the right side of the bargain. The brass-lined lanyard hole through the butt takes a wrist loop or a length of paracord.
The scales are pinned through a full tang, so the steel runs the entire length of the handle. That construction is the reason you can lean on this knife without worrying about the join.
Made in Memphis
Forged, ground, hardened, handled and sharpened by hand in our Tennessee shop, then fitted to a hand-tooled leather belt sheath with a decorative border stamp and a wide loop. If you are curious about what separates work like this from a knife stamped out at volume, we wrote about it at length.
Burl needs a little more thought
Figured wood is beautiful and slightly temperamental. Big swings in humidity are what move it, so the enemy is not water so much as a hot car in July followed by a cold shed in January. Keep the knife somewhere stable, wax the scales twice a year, and it will stay put. The blade is plain carbon and will take a grey patina from onions, meat and citrus; that patina is protective and there is no reason to scrub it off. Dry the knife rather than letting it drip. Our notes on storing knives properly cover the sheath question, which matters here because damp leather against carbon steel is the one combination that will actually cause you problems. If you would rather have a synthetic handle that ignores all of this, the Dust Devil is the same pattern in micarta.
Model: BMK-1148
Roger Cook –
This exceeded what I pictured in my head before ordering. Leather sheath is thick and well stitched. Not the cheap stuff you usually get. Edge retention has been great even after regular use in the field. Already thinking about what to order next from this maker.
Laura Watson –
Couldn’t ask for a better knife honestly. This will not be my last order from this store.
Tyrone Bishop –
Five stars isn’t even enough honestly. Every piece of the fit and finish looks hand checked before it shipped. No hesitation recommending this to anyone looking.
Peter Myers –
Best knife I’ve ever owned. Hands down. Edge retention has been great even after regular use in the field. Would not hesitate to order again.
Nicole Morales –
My whole family passed this knife around at dinner just to look at it. Leather sheath is thick and well stitched. Not the cheap stuff you usually get. Already added a few more items from this company to my cart.
William Gutierrez –
Kind of disappointing given the price tag. Shipped from the US but still took longer than expected. Leather sheath was thinner than shown in the pictures. Might work for someone less picky than me.
Frank Brooks –
This blade came razor sharp right out of the box. Made in the USA and shipped worldwide with no issues on my end.
Samuel Foster –
This knife is awesome. No question about it. Handle feels amazing and the balance is perfect. Every piece of the fit and finish looks hand checked before it shipped. Took it out camping right away and it handled everything I threw at it. Zero complaints from me on this purchase.
Sandra Robinson –
This is one of those purchases that just makes you smile. Love that this comes out of Memphis and still ships worldwide this quickly. Came in a nice gift box which made it feel even more special. Fit and finish is museum quality. You can tell real craftsmen made this by hand. Love it.
Benjamin Sanders –
Amazing craftsmanship on this one. Fit and finish is museum quality. You can tell real craftsmen made this by hand. Couldn’t be happier with this. Love that this comes out of Memphis and still ships worldwide this quickly. Black Mamba Knives is quickly becoming my go to shop for knives.
Sergio Lewis –
This is hands down one of the best knives I’ve bought online. Every piece of the fit and finish looks hand checked before it shipped. Took it out camping right away and it handled everything I threw at it. Leather sheath is thick and well stitched. Not the cheap stuff you usually get. Already added a few more items from this shop to my cart.
Shane Brooks –
Couldn’t ask for a better knife honestly. This has quickly replaced my old go to knife for field dressing. Sheath snaps shut securely and doesn’t feel flimsy at all. Can’t say enough good things about this purchase.
Dennis Ward –
This is exactly what I wanted and then some. Handle feels amazing and the balance is perfect. Steel has a gorgeous pattern that looks different in every light. Couldn’t be happier with this.
Barbara Rivera –
This knife has already earned a permanent spot in my collection. This is my new favorite in the collection.
Andre Stewart –
Wasn’t sure what to expect but this knife nailed it. Sheath snaps shut securely and doesn’t feel flimsy at all. Would not hesitate to order again.
Jonathan Brooks –
This company clearly knows what they’re doing with quality like this. Every piece of the fit and finish looks hand checked before it shipped. Leather sheath is thick and well stitched. Not the cheap stuff you usually get. Exactly the kind of quality that keeps me coming back.
Todd Jefferson –
My uncle was speechless when I showed them this knife. This is my third order from Black Mamba Knives and they never disappoint. Pommel and guard are solid, no wobble anywhere on the knife. This is going straight into my daily rotation.
Sophia Brooks –
This knife has quickly become my favorite piece in the collection. Pommel and guard are solid, no wobble anywhere on the knife. This is my new favorite in the collection.