Equal parts function & art, Warren Thacker's #1 Damascus Tanto Puukko is truly spectacular, & at $499, not overpriced for a 4-in long 3mm-thick damascus steel knife forged & hammered by a man who must be as picky as I. Dangerously sharp, the blade at barely-there ricasso is 1 3/16-in wide--well into leuko territory--& gently tapers on both spine & edge sides toward tip like a true tanto. However, the unique sharper edge-side bend to point is angled somewhere between that of a puukko & tanto. Lotsa blade here! Don't know how many layers of 1084 & 15N20 steels there are, but the patterns are gorgeous: The prominent darker "river" running down length of reverse side resembles the winding lower Mississippi, while on obverse side adjacent to Thacker logo there is a trippy facial-like feature reminiscent of Dali's melting clock. The grip is just as impressive: Below hefty 3mm-thick brass guard is the top 1/4 of stabilized curly birch handle, this portion "toasted" a medium brown, but not so dark as to conceal signature mottling. Contrasting lighter brown leather & black G-10 washers separate it from bottom 3/4 of handle, a light natural-color birch sufficiently curly but not so dominant as to compete with damascus blade. Even so, best aspect of 5-in long, 3 3/4-in circumference (at slimmest point) handle is its ergonomic shape: Despite super-smooth surface, a very deep inward flare just below guard keeps index finger safely in place, as semi-birdhead pommel keeps pinky from slipping off. An intermediate swell at center ensures firm grip; in middle of it is a visible brass pin extending thru hidden tang. The hand-crafted sheath is thick medium-brown bovine leather embossed at top front side with Thacker logo. Stitched at side seam with high-contrast light nylon thread, the scabbard features a stiff leather layer between the 2 sides. Coupled with the perfect fit, this obviates the need for a point/edge-protecting internal lasta. The loop on rear fits up to a 2-in belt, but it's stitched rather high, so I added Redbeard's brown Helle "belt clip" to accomodate my personal preference for a dangler. A Christmas gift to myself & my 45th puukko, this fabulous Thacker Knives #1 Damascus Puukko Tanto now stands atop my collection.
