Full-Size Hmong Knife | 5160

Handforged Hmong Knife by me, Neng, in the Moob Leeg style of 1980's through early 2000's—what many consider to be the golden age for HMoob knifemaking; a time that saw the diaspora of lifelong career blacksmiths from Laos to Thailand. Despite the refugee camps, Thailand gave these Hmong master blacksmiths access to new technologies that gave birth to a golden age for HMoob Knives. The knife you see in the pictures is the actual one you will receive.
 
This knife is Moob Leeg style, based on the specific profile lines of my dab laug Neej Kawm Hawj. Hand forged from 5160 steel, differentially quenched and tempered, and hand brushed to a matte sheen. 5160 is a high carbon and chromium spring steel, offering outstanding toughness, a high level of ductility, and excellent fatigue resistance. These traits make 5160 a great steel for large chopping knives, such as for Hmong knives, which are a great all-around, all-purpose knife! Despite its size, this knife is incredibly balanced due to a perfectly even and gradual distal taper—something you often do not find in many modern knives anymore. Knife edge and heel is hardened to 58 HRC, the point slightly softer at about 54–56 HRC, and the spine and tang left soft/tempered back soft. The blade measures 10.5 inches while the handle measures 6.25 inches.
 
The handle on this piece is made from a exceptionally rich red-colored piece of true Siamese Rosewood, พะยูง (ntoo maib puaj nyoog), which in nearly impossible to find nowadays, as these trees are now endangered and protected. Lub thi kos, the handle banding, is made from seamless bronze. The sheath is made from quarter-sawn maple, aged to a golden color, and banded together with reed—cov thi hnab nriam yog kav theej dag.
 
I am pricing this piece at a slightly lower price than normal because there is a very small nick (chip) in the sheath on the middle on the right side between the second and third set of thi hnab—see pictures. If you like, you can reposition the reed banding to cover up this nick.