Price: $1800  (Shipping Included)

A really beautiful hand-forged solid-copper long-bladed dagger based on the war and hunting weapons of the indigenous Tlingit and Haida of the Pacific Northwest Coast of America. The Tlingit are known for their fine metalwork and elaborate wood carving, including totem poles.

The massive copper blade was heated and quenched to soften it, cold hammer-forged until the metal hardened, then softened again. This process was repeated many times until the blade was formed. It was then hammer-hardened one last time before being filed and polished. It is fullered on one side and flat on the other, and polished bright. A thinner copper sleeve is hammered around the base of the blade. Copper is much softer than steel, but the blade is still able to slice paper.

The antique ivory guard and wood grip are slipped over the integral copper tang, and an effigy eagle’s head pommel finishes the end. The pommel is carved wood with painted features and inset abalone eyes. The grip is wrapped in deer hide with a wrist strap.

The elaborate sheath is sinew-sewn of heavy leather, rough side out, with a sueded throat wrap adorned with a hand-loomed beaded shield. The end of the sheath is wrapped around a wooden point guard, and secured with a sinew wrap. A strong red-dyed cotton shoulder strap finishes the sheath.

The blade is 12.75” long and 2.25” wide, and the overall length of the knife is 19.5”. It weighs a hefty 2.2 pounds.

Keywords: Tlingit knife, Haida knife, custom knife, battle knife, indigenous knife, hand-made knife, artisan knife, hand-made 19th century knife, copper knife, unique, historic re-enactment,  collectors, decorators, interior designers