Rare Early G.W. Hawk Custom #40 Gal Leg Hunting Knife!

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Offered for your consideration is a rare early custom hunting knife from highly regarded Idaho custom maker Grant (G.W.) Hawk. Hawk is an exceptionally talented and highly innovative maker. Although he's only been making custom knife since 1995, he's received numerous industry accolades. Shortly after starting, Hawk teamed up with his son Gavin to form hawk Designs, and the two have designed some of the most innovative and highly regarded knives on the market. In fact, they took the Blade Magazine award for "Most Innovative American Design" for three consecutive years in 2005-2007. Their work has been featured on the cover of Blade Magazine and has also been featured in numerous other industry publications. They are full-time makers and long-time members of the Knifemakers Guild. Grant started by making fixed blade hunting and cowboy knives for the local market, but they've since turned their focus to innovative folder design. Some of their more notable successes have been the D.O.G with its unique locking system and the M.U.D.D. The M.U.D.D. design was licensed to Kershaw and featured in their Zero Tolerance line. Their current prices for their original work starts at $450 and up.Since we've entered the internet age, hundreds of knifemakers and would-be knifemakers have entered the industry. Some are very talented and produce exceptional knives. A few even produce work comparable to many of the makers in the Knifemaker's Guild. However, a large number simply buy blade blanks and off-the-shelf mounts, put the knife together, add a bit of finish work or filework to the spine, etch their name on the knife and sell the knife as a "handmade custom" knife. Hawk is highly skilled designer and craftsman whose knives are crafted by hand. The knife has not been used, carried, or sharpened and remains in near perfect condition with just light handling wear. It has not been cleaned or buffed and remains original. This piece has been in my personal collection for many years and is fresh to the market.The #39 "Pony" and #40 "Gal Leg" were two of Grant Hawk's early successes. The knives are very similar in design with the Gal Leg taking its name from its unique handle design, which resembles an old-timey ladies leg in a boot. I've owned and handled thousands of knives, including countless custom knives, and this handle is quite simply the most natural and comfortable that I've ever experienced. Hawk had applied for a patent for this design, although I haven't determined if it was ever granted. The knife was brilliantly crafted and has a very distinctive feel. The level of finish and attention to detail are outstanding. The thick blade was ground to perfection and the symmetry is spot-on. I'm pretty sure the steel is ATS-34, as that's almost exclusively what they grind now. The blade has a very unique finish as well. The ground surfaces were polished to a deeply mirrored finish, while the unground steel received a unique finish that's similar to a "jewelled" finish. Instead of concentric circular patterns, it has more of a striped appearance. It's very unusual and I've not seen similar. Even the spine was polished to a deep mirror finish. The blade has a very slow taper and remains thick almost to the tip. The edge exhibits that certain feel that's characteristic of premium-quality blades. If you've ever stroked your thumb across the edge of a very high-quality blade, then you'll instantly recognize the sound and feel of this blade. It's a very hard concept to explain, but one you don't forget once you've experienced it. The blade is very sharp and will shave. The blade was ground with a function choil that serves as part of the guard/grip. The bolsters are of brass and are shaped like an old-time lady's boot. The bolsters were fitted to perfection and the blade/bolster junctions are very clean. The bolster were designed so the upper portion forms a thumb rest and the lower portion serves as perfectly spaced finger grooves. The handle is as unique as the rest of the knife. It wa... read more

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