Bull Bone Handle Appraisal

Custom 8-Inch Damascus Steel Karambit Knife with Bull Bone and Wood Handle

This is an 8-inch fixed-blade karambit knife featuring a signature curved 'tiger claw' profile. The blade is constructed from Damascus steel, displaying a distinct rippled, watery pattern resulting from layering different types of steel during the forging process. The blade has a prominent sharpened inner arc and a pointed tip, characteristic of Southeast Asian martial arts designs. The handle is a full-tang construction featuring a multi-segment scale design made of dark polished hardwood and a center spacer of natural bull bone, secured by small steel pins. An integral safety ring is located at the pommel, made of the same Damascus steel as the blade, designed for a secure grip during use. The knife is accompanied by a custom-fitted dark brown leather sheath with decorative contrast stitching and a snap-button retaining strap. The condition appears to be excellent and unused, with the Damascus etching appearing crisp and high-contrast, and no visible oxidation or wear on the edges. The organic materials in the handle show natural variations in grain and color, indicating hand-finished craftsmanship common in modern custom or semi-custom blade production.