Longknife and Sheath by Heinz Ahlers & Joe Seabolt
by Heinz Ahlers
Joe Seabolt is generous in his support of the CLA. Not only does he always come up with a donation, he is always willing to help out other folks with the team donations. Joe has 3 items in the auction this year. You may have to hunt for the one patch knife.
Heinz Ahlers is the CL Foundation Auction chairman and the oldest apprentice in the Cedar Ridge Apprentice Program. We have included a photo of Joe instructing Heinz in using the Cedar Ridge milling machine. Although both Joe and Heinz have a good eye for style their combined efforts produce a very nice knife. Watching them work together is like watching sausage being made. Last years Seabolt Ahlers knife sold very well at the auction. Heinz also does some traditional bronze castings and had donated one to this years auction.
This year’s Seabolt Ahlers knife is a classic 18th century longknife just over 13 3/4 inches long with an 8 5/8 inch blade. This knife is clearly a Cedar Ridge Forge product with great style and careful aging. The blade is hand forged from 1084 carbon steel, which closely approximates the best 18th century steels. Joe and Heinz started with an almost 1/4 inch thick blank of steel and drew it out into a fine distal taper staring at .210 inch at the hilt and tapering over the full length of the blade. A full 1 1/2 inches wide at the choil the blade has a long graceful taper and a nice false edge. The blade shape is designed for utility, near perfect for sticking, cutting or slicing on the cutting board. Like the best frontier knives it shows it hybrid nature, combining a butcher knife and a dirk.
The deer leg bone handle is attached with a full tang. The handle has an iron ferrule and butt cap. The blade and handle are nicely aged and the color on the handle is a has a warm amber tone. The blade is Seabolt sharp, you could shave with it, if you can handle over a foot of knife around your chin.
A bark tanned deer hide sheath with a copper wire sewn rawhide liner accompanies the knife. The sheath is designed to be tucked under a sash or belt with a leather extension and tie to keep it from going astray.
Both Joe’s and Heinz’s touchmarks are on the blade. The Hershel House made touchmarks are another clue to the Woodbury influence on the Cedar Ridge school
Both Joe and Heinz are staunch supporters of the auction. They feel the CLA provides an excellent venue for both established artists and beginning artists through the shows, the publications, and the CLA For Sale webpage.
Heinz Ahlers can be contacted by email at heinzahlers@zoomtown.com.
Joe Seabolt can be contacted by email at jseabolt665@gmail.com.
