Copper does not belong in a blade, which is exactly why it looks the way it does. Forge-welded between layers of 1095 and 15N20, the copper survives the billet as three rosy lines that run the length of the grind and catch light the way steel never will. Look at the flat of this blade and you get three tones at once: dark carbon steel, bright nickel steel, and copper.

A working blade, not a display piece

The copper sits in the decorative cladding. The cutting edge is high-carbon steel, hardened to 59 to 61 HRC, so the copper contributes nothing to performance and takes nothing away from it. Wide flat grind, squared tip, and enough spine weight to rock through hide, rope, and cartilage without wrist torque. Full tang, 8.5 inches overall on a 4.25 inch blade.

Ring pommel

The Damascus-patterned ring at the butt is not decoration. Hook a finger through it and the knife stops being something you grip and becomes something anchored to your hand, which matters on wet work when the handle is slick. Also means the knife hangs off a saddle horn or a nail in the tack room without a lanyard.

Black resin and turquoise

Three ovals of turquoise set into black resin, spaced along the scale, with brass pinning between them. Turquoise carries its own matrix, so the veining in these three stones is not repeated on any other knife we make.

Pancake sheath included

Hand-stitched leather, cut pancake pattern with twin belt slots so the knife rides flat against the hip instead of levering off it. For a walkthrough of pancake against crossdraw and vertical carry, read the cowboy knife sheath guide.

Specifications

Blade material: Copper Damascus, 1095 and 15N20 with forge-welded copper layers
Blade hardness: 59 to 61 HRC
Blade length: 4.25 inches
Overall length: 8.5 inches
Blade profile: Wide flat grind, squared tip
Handle: Black resin with turquoise inlay and brass pins
Pommel: Damascus ring
Tang: Full tang
Sheath: Handmade pancake leather sheath, twin belt slots

Care

Copper Damascus is not stainless. The steel will patina and the copper will darken, both of which are normal. Wipe dry after use, oil the blade before storage, and store the knife outside the sheath since tanned leather holds moisture against steel.

Part of our bull cutter knives and copper Damascus knives ranges, both sitting under handmade cowboy knives. For a lighter blade sized for daily ranch chores, see the handmade ranch knives.

FAQS

1. What is copper Damascus steel?
Copper Damascus, also called Cu-Mai, is pattern-welded steel with layers of pure copper forge-welded into the billet. Once etched, the copper shows as warm rosy lines beside the dark and bright steel layers, giving three visible tones instead of the usual two.

2. Does the copper weaken the blade?
No. The copper sits in the decorative cladding while the cutting edge is high-carbon steel. Copper does not harden the way steel does, so it is kept away from the edge and has no effect on edge retention, sharpness, or toughness.

3. What is a bull cutter knife?
A bull cutter is a heavy fixed-blade ranch knife that dates to nineteenth century American cattle work, originally used for castration, de-hiding, and meat extraction. Ranchers now carry them for rope, leather, field dressing, and general heavy utility.

4. Why does this bull cutter have a squared tip instead of a curve?
Most bull cutters use a curved profile to rock through cuts. The squared tip on this one trades some of that rocking action for a stronger point and more usable edge along the full length, which suits chopping and push cuts through hide and cartilage.

5. What is the ring at the end of the handle for?
The ring pommel gives you a positive anchor point. Hooking a finger through it keeps control when hands or handle are wet, and it lets the knife hang from a saddle horn or hook without a lanyard.

6. Is the turquoise real stone?
The turquoise inlays carry natural matrix veining, so the pattern in each of the three ovals differs and no two knives share the same stone figure.

7. How long is this knife?
8.5 inches overall with a 4.25 inch blade.

8. What hardness is the blade?
59 to 61 HRC. Hard enough to hold a working edge through extended cutting, soft enough to bring back on a field stone without specialist equipment.

9. Does it come with a sheath?
Yes. A handmade leather pancake sheath with twin belt slots is included, cut so the knife rides flat against the hip.

10. Will the copper tarnish?
Yes, and it is meant to. Copper darkens with exposure and handling, deepening from bright rose toward a warmer brown. Polishing with a copper cleaner brings it back if you prefer the original tone.

11. Is copper Damascus stainless?
No. The steel layers are high-carbon and will rust if neglected. Wipe dry after use and oil the blade before storage.

Bull Cutter Knife | Copper Damascus with Turquoise and Ring Pommel