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Itak: Copper Damascus Laminate, Orange Peel Copper, Carabao Horn
USD 6,000.00 

Blade: Studio Copper Damascus Laminate
- 1084 High Carbon Steel
- 15N20 High Nickel Steel
- 52100 High Carbon Steel
- Copper Shim
Handle:
- Carabao Horn
- Copper Pin
- Orange Peel Copper


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The Itak has long been a staple tool in the Philippines, a machete-like knife used for everything from farm work to household tasks. 



Taking cues from its form, I shaped this brisket knife to embody the same sense of utility while refining its aesthetics.

This latest project was an exciting challenge, drawing inspiration from the Filipino Itak while incorporating a refined selection of materials, including black carabao horn, copper, and a new blade shape. The result is a piece that blends cultural heritage with functional artistry.

The handle is sculpted from black carabao horn, a material deeply embedded in Filipino culture. I carved it to follow the natural grain pattern of the horn, forming a silhouette reminiscent of a horse’s hoof.  



At the butt cap, I set a copper crown with an orange-peel texture, a detail that subtly catches the light and adds depth to the piece. The handle is completed with a domed copper pin on both sides, reinforcing both structure and design. The connection between handle and blade is defined by a copper ring at the bolster, finished with the same delicate orange-peel texture as the butt cap.

The blade itself is forged from my custom copper-shimmed San-Mai Damascus laminate. This material is composed of a jacket made from layers of 1084 high carbon steel and 15N20 high nickel steel, fused to a core of 52100 high carbon steel for a sharp cutting edge. Between the core and the Damascus jacket, I integrated copper shims that create a flowing visual contrast, making it appear as if a ribbon of copper runs through the blade.

One of the most striking elements of this brisket knife is the new blade shape. To enhance its movement and character, I introduced a false edge along the spine, something I had not previously featured on a brisket knife. This addition brings a sense of motion and fluidity to the overall design, making the blade feel more kinetic and dynamic in both appearance and function.



This project was a rewarding step forward in my exploration of brisket knives, allowing me to work with materials in ways I had not before. Every component, from the sculpted carabao horn handle to the intricate textures on the copper fittings, came together to create a knife that carries both heritage and innovation.

The fusion of traditional Filipino craftsmanship with modern refinement is what makes this piece truly special, and I look forward to seeing where this continued journey takes me.



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