Freedom’s Steel™ IV – The Jefferson Bowie™
Knife Rights’ Extraordinary Custom Collaboration Knife
Supporting NRA-ILA and the Second Amendment!
Crafted by Acclaimed Artisans
Incorporating Historically Significant Materials
Knife Rights has donated Freedom’s Steel™ IV – The Jefferson Bowie, an extraordinary custom knife collaboration,to the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) in appreciation for their support of Knife Rights’ legislative efforts in fighting the Second Front in Defense of the Second Amendment™. Freedom’s Steel™ IV was conceived of, and sponsored by, Knife Rights expressly to benefit NRA-ILA. This is the fourth year in a row that Knife Rights has donated a Freedom’s Steel™ knife, raising $66,500 the first three years.
Freedom’s Steel™ IV – The Jefferson Bowie will be a featured auction item at the NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction to be held at the NRA Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, the evening of April 10, 2015. Proceeds from the sale of Freedom’s Steel™ IV will support NRA-ILA efforts to defend the Second Amendment.Click here for information on the NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction
“Knife Rights and the NRA have a common interest in protecting our civil rights and specifically the right to own and use tools appropriate for self-defense. At a time when our Second Amendments rights are under unprecedented assault, we are proud to assist NRA in protecting these rights.” said Knife Rights Chairman and Founder Doug Ritter. “We are sincerely grateful for the support provided to us by NRA-ILA as we fight the Second Front in Defense of the Second Amendment.”
“Since 1871, the NRA has fought to defend the rights of law-abiding Americans. We are truly grateful for the support of our friends at Knife Rights and their continued contributions to our ongoing efforts to preserve our freedom,” said Chris W. Cox, Executive Director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action.”
Ritter noted, “we are indebted to these incredibly talented artisans and companies who contribute their valuable time, talents and materials to support Knife Rights by creating this extraordinary knife.” Each craftsman’s efforts and every component of Freedom’s Steel™ III was donated to Knife Rights to support its efforts to defend and enhance our right to own and carry knives as tools used daily by millions of Americans and at times wielded as an “arm” in self-defense.
The body of the blade has 239 layers, one for each year from 1776 to 2015. The pattern in the body the blade has 21 Xs forged into the steel to formally salute our Constitution and the Second Amendment.
The dramatic on-of-a-kind 12.75-inch Damascus blade of Freedom’s Steel™ IV – The Jefferson Bowie was forged by National Living Treasure and American Bladesmith Society Master Bladesmith Jerry Fisk with two distinct patterns to honor our Second Amendment. The pattern on the spine of the blade was first forged with 13 layers of high carbon steel, one layer for each of the original colonies. Fisk then folded that 13-layer billet to 39 layers, the number of the signers of the Constitution. He then twisted the bar to the right (of course) honoring the rights accorded to all Americans that are incorporated into the Bill of Rights.
The histroic wood handle of Freedom’s Steel™ IV – The Jefferson Bowie is made from the wood of the “Jefferson Tulip Poplar” tree. This is from the only tree with provenance as being personally planted by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. Fisk carved three flutes into the handle to honor Jefferson as our third President, a framer of the Constitution who was a major force and inspiration for the Bill of Rights that includes the Second Amendment.
“[A] bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse.”
— Thomas Jefferson, December 20, 1787
This historic tree was felled and salvaged by Historical Woods of America in 2008. The beautiful poplar wood is stabilized to last for generations.
The full guard and ferrule of Freedom’s Steel™ IV – The Jefferson Bowie has been deeply engraved by Master Engraver Jim Small with scrollwork and leaves representing the birth and renewal of the nation. Small added 24K gold inlays to highlight the exquisite engraving.
Freedom’s Steel™ IVis presented in a custom-built black walnut display case by Brookfield Case. It features glass on four sides and the top and a document storage drawer.
Photography of Freedom’s Steel™ IV – The Jefferson Bowie courtesy of Buddy Thomason.
The Historic Thomas Jefferson Wood Handle
This Tulip Poplar tree is believed to have been planted by Jefferson himself off the Southwest corner of Monticello. Hollow for many years, it finally died in 2008 and was removed in June of that year by Historical Woods of America.
In his Weather Memorandum Book on April 16, 1807, Jefferson noted planting “1. Laurodendron in margin of SW [shrub circle] from the nursery.” This is the exact spot that this Poplar tree was growing. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation believes that this is clear evidence that this tree was the only one on the property that was definitely original and planted personally by Jefferson. Tree dating experts confirm the planting date noted by Jefferson as being appropriate for the estimated age of the tree at its death. For many years it was promoted by the Foundation as “America’s Millennium Landmark Tree.”
Freedom’s Steel™ IV – The Jefferson Bowie will be a featured auction item at the NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction to be held at the NRA Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, the evening of April 10, 2015. Proceeds from the sale of Freedom’s Steel™ IV will support NRA-ILA efforts to defend the Second Amendment.Click here for information on the NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction
Knifemaker: Jerry Fisk
Nashville, Arkansas
www.JerryFisk.com
Jerry Fisk has been working full-time as a Master Bladesmith since 1989. In 1999 Fisk was named a National Living Treasure by the University of North Carolina at Wilmington’s Museum of World Cultures.
The list of awards Fisk has won both in the U.S and abroad is long and varied. He is the only double winner of the William F. Moran Knife of the Year Award. Fisk serves as Field Editor of BLADE magazine and has authored a book on Damascus steel that is used as a textbook at the acclaimed Moran School of Bladesmithing.
Fisk explains his approach to knifemaking and what drives him:
“I make knives and edged tools because of a life-long interest and desire. The only limits to this field are those I put on myself. Lots of times I blend centuries-old techniques with modern methods. I prefer designs drawn from something that simulates nature and prefer to work in natural materials.
All of my blades from field grade to ornate pieces are tested to insure they perform in the manner for which they are designed for and made as strong as the design allows.
Because of the way that I was raised, a knife to me is first a tool, and second it is pretty to look at, if done right. This is just the way I was raised. Work hard and use a good tool.
In these modern times you have to search for something that a craftsman/artist makes one-at-a-time. The days of one person working in their shop to create functional works of art are fast going, as it seems we live in a disposable world. This is your time to own something for you and your family that can be passed down. Each generation will have its own stories of the piece and the memories it holds for them. That is something to treasure for the ages.
When I was asked once, why I make knives, I said, ‘…to show that I lived.’ My work will last hundreds of years longer than I will. But now they will know I was here.”
Engraver: Jim Small
Madison, Georgia
Email: Jim Small
Jim Small was one of the first members of the Knife Makers Guild. He started making knives in 1968 and continues to do so, but on a limited basis. In late 70’s he taught himself to engrave and found that he could make a better living in a shorter amount of time by scratching designs in metal.
For the first few years he engraved only his own knives. In 1982 Small started engraving other makers knives and from there the engraving business grew to firearms and jewelry.
Small has received numerous accolades, including:
- Made knives and and engraved his work for four U.S. Presidents, all of which are displayed in their libraries.
- Produced Georgia Bi-Centennial Bowie in 1976. 76 were offered and only 29 were made, all registered with the Georgia State Archives along with all the documentation.
- In 1982 he produced 12 30-minute programs with Georgia Public Television on How to Build a Custom Knife and The Art in Knifemaking. Small also wrote two study guides to go along with these programs. Eventually these programs were offered nationwide to educational stations for free. Many foreign countries also picked up these programs and he received letters from all over the world.
- Small’s knives won Best of Show at the New York Custom Knife Show in 1985 and 1986.
He has donated knives and engraving to a number of private and non-profit organizations, including Duck Unlimited, Quail Unlimited, Turkey Unlimited, National Wildlife Federation, Georgia Wildlife Federation and the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources for the Game Warden of the Year.
The list goes on and on. After almost 50 years in the business, he hasn’t slowed down.
Handle Wood: Historical Woods of America, Inc.
Woodford, Virginia
www.HistoricalWoods.com
Historical Woods of America’s (HWA’s) goals and services are squarely focused on the reclamation, salvaging and creative repurposing of historical trees and timbers, as well as trees from private, non- historic clients, such as homeowners who have trees to which they have a sentimental connection.
HWA works exclusively with trees or limbs that have fallen in storms, are diseased, unsafe, or are being removed for construction or to maintain the health of the tree — along with timbers removed from historical sites during renovation of existing structures. The wood thus harvested can then be turned into a host of items which have historical connection or sentimental significance.
HWA has preserved the historical legacy of many of America’s “witness trees” that grew at the sites of government, national landmarks and historic colonial mansions. Much of this wood has a presidential connection, such as Washington’s Mount Vernon, Jefferson’s Monticello, Madison’s Montpelier, as well as several Civil War sites in Virginia.
Display Case: Brookfield Case, Inc.
Les Yoder
Coopersville, Michigan
www.BrookfieldCase.com
Brookfield Case is this country’s oldest and largest manufacturer of custom presentation cases. Brookfield Case has built its reputation by serving the collectable firearms and knife industries. The company is proud to specialize in custom wood cases for commemoratives, special editions and unique, one-of-a-kind items and museum pieces.
Brookfield’s cases are the benchmark of quality for the industry. Each case reflects the skill and pride of its craftsmen. From the furniture finish of fine hardwood, to the plush velvet interiors, Brookfield cases provide the perfect showcase for any display or presentation. Brookfield provides custom cases as well as limited production and production cases to many major manufactures, distributors, dealers.
Brookfield Case founder Les Yoder has been in the furniture business as a master craftsman for over 40 years. His experience in early English and French reproductions, high-end executive office furniture and fine clock cabinets is seen in every piece that his highly skilled craftsmen build.
Photography: Buddy Thomason
Denver, Colorado
E-mail contact: blt@quixnet.net
Buddy Thomason has been active in the custom knife arena for over a decade; as collector, writer, photographer and supporter of knife and gun rights. Buddy has thoroughly embraced the new world of digital image capture, using state-of-the-art gear and software to produce stunning custom knife portraits and event video. His collaborative approach ensures that every client’s vision is fully realized in the final product. Click here to see more of Buddy’s work.
Sponsor: Knife Rights, Inc.
Doug Ritter, Founder and Chairman
www.KnifeRights.org
Knife Rights is America’s grassroots knife owners organization, forging a Sharper Future™ for all knife owners. Knife Rights is dedicated to providing knife owners an effective voice to influence public policy. In the past five years, Knife Rights has passed pro-knife legislation in 11 states and prevented anti-knife legislation in 7 states. Knife Rights is also the lead plaintiff in a federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City and the New York District Attorney over their persecution of knife owners. Knife Rights is the Second Front in Defense of the Second Amendment™
Recipient: National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA)
www.nraila.org
The Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the lobbying arm of the NRA. Established in 1975, ILA is committed to preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. While NRA is a single-issue organization, ILA is involved in any issue that directly or indirectly affects firearms ownership and use. ILA is also involved in educating the public about the facts concerning the many facets of firearms ownership in America.