Artifact Series

Ice Tester Bird and Trout Knife - Another One of a Kind Piece

Why call this knife by that name? Well, because in another incarnation, it was a piece of walrus tusk that was carved by the Punuk People of the Bering Straight for use as an ice tester. For their own safety and that of their families and dogs, they needed to test the "Young Ice" to make sure it was strong enough to hold them and their equipment when they moved across it. This piece was fashioned and used somewhere between 500 AD and 1200 AD. Since then it's been burried in the ground on St.. Lawrence Island, AK. That is where it picked up the gorgeouse browns, tans, chocolate and ivory colors. This piece was almost black in color when I purchased it. It had "chop" marks on both ends with one end tapered more than the other. I spilt it down the middle and fit it to this knife with a tiny bit of elephant ivory as a spacer for added color. The business end has a razor sharp O1 Tool Steel blade; differentially heat treated for a hard edge and a softer, springier back; all with a finely tapered tang. I hope you like it.

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This small surface crack has been stabilized - It's not going anywhere and I like the way it adds to the character to the ivory.


Tapered Tang for weight reduction and of course, "eye candy"

Fun Fact - The artifact was split down the middle and mounted "Book Matched" on the knife so the color is contiguous around the piece.

All my knives come with a hand made, hand sewn 6-7 oz premium leather sheath. Tooling, inlays or overlays may be added for an additional fee.

What a great gift for the avid bird hunter or fisherman in the family!