Buddy Thomason
Well-Known Member
Mike Williams, ABS Master Smith, often identifies his knives using names of Oklahoma geographic landmarks, features, Native American tribes, historic events etc. Rio Negro (Black River) is an apt name for this big beautiful Bowie-style fighter that features Mike's own forged Damascus steel and a dark-as-night sculpted African Blackwood handle. OAL is 15 1/2 inches, blade 10 and handle 5 1/2. The knife weighs 15.6 ounces and the balance point is mid-ricasso.
The owner/collector requested that I clearly show the handle's shapely design over a background color that evokes the classic red-dirt butte found in the area. There is actually a subtle hint of that deep red-brown color in the handle wood. Note the 'window' treatment of the guard and pommel with timed screws - always a nice touch in a quality custom knife.
The owner/collector requested that I clearly show the handle's shapely design over a background color that evokes the classic red-dirt butte found in the area. There is actually a subtle hint of that deep red-brown color in the handle wood. Note the 'window' treatment of the guard and pommel with timed screws - always a nice touch in a quality custom knife.
