Chuck Hawes Custom Trapper Amboyna Wood Damascus

Forged and finished by hand one knife at a time, the Chuck Hawes Custom Trapper in amboyna wood matches a 124-layer Damascus blade and bolster with warm, figured burl scales.

• Sole Authorship Build: This knife is fully handmade by Chuck Hawes, who forges and fits each component himself, ensuring one-of-a-kind quality from start to finish.
• 124-layer Damascus Blade — Chuck hand-forges the blade from 124 layers of W1 and 15N20 steel into a burl pattern, then etches it so the two alloys read as flowing bright and dark bands. The pattern runs the length of the blade, so no two ever look the same.
• Matching Damascus Bolster — The bolster is forged from the same 124-layer W1 and 15N20 billet as the blade, then etched to match. Blade and bolster share one continuous pattern, framing the amboyna scales and tying the whole knife together.
• Amboyna Wood Handle — Amboyna burl gives this trapper deep reds and golds with swirling figure that no two pieces repeat. Each scale is shaped and finished by hand, so the warmth of the wood pairs with the contrast of the steel.
• Flat-Convex Grind: The blade features a razor-sharp edge with a subtle convex geometry behind the bevel, enhancing cutting performance and prolonging its lifespan.
• Strong Backsprings with Half-Stop: Built with strong, reliable backsprings and a clean half-stop, this knife opens with authority and closes securely.
• Detailed Filework: The backspacer and blade spine are both hand-filed, adding detail only found in custom made knives.

About Chuck Hawes

Chuck Hawes has over 30 years of experience crafting custom knives from his shop in Weldon, Illinois. While his work is admired by collectors, Chuck designs his knives to be used, aiming to create knives that will last a lifetime. He is well known for his damascus forging ability, and he still builds each knife the old way, one at a time.