2023 Ibara – IB001

The Ibara was commissioned as a bespoke Custom design in 2019 by Craig Douglas (SouthNarc) for his personal collection. After approaching us, Craig’s initial brief was kept quite simple and open. The knife was to be a double edge blade under 7″ in total length, with a neutral handle design that could be used easily in any orientation, and lastly a Tsukamaki handle wrap. The rest was up to the designer…

Working with Craig allowed us to explore new limits with both materials and skills. What resulted was our most exquisite knife to date, documented in a series of articles titled The Craig Douglas Ibara Project. With the original having been well received by its patron, and with his blessing, we opened up the Ibara to order by our customers.

This is however a limited edition special project and we have limited numbers to just 10 units per year. The Ibara is made to the same specifications as the original in terms of the overall length, handle type and blade configuration as the original.

The 2023 Version of the Ibara will feature a blade that is for the first time CNC cut from 80Crv2, while not as exotic as previous years, these blades are tough and reliable, but are also freehand ground and finished by hand. This year’s Ibara features a full Tsukamaki handle as in previous years, with the addition of the Mekugi – a homage to traditional Tsukamaki handles – and the first time we have featured this on a production piece.The Tsukamaki handle options all feature high end Tsukamaki materials and composite builds, done entirely by hand.

IB001 is finished in the Ronin style configuration. It features a polished blued finished blade with an elegant handle. A polished brass liner base with mirror polished black buffalo horn fittings are a highlight, with Crimson lacquered Samegawa and Black Leather Tsuka-ito over the handle.

This  Ibara ships with a  fold over style sheath and Soft Loop mount. A Blunt Trainer can be included if you wish for an additional $120.00.