Cutting Edge!

Rob English commissions a compact hunter/skinner knife from Emberleaf Workshops

It was while I was at this year's Sussex Game Fair that I was drawn towards a particularly attractive knife on the Emberleaf Workshops stand. Called the Pritha AKA Pocket Skinner, it was love at first hold, the tactile nature of this design just felt right, the balance was spot on, and I just had to have one!

A few emails went back and forth between owners Dean Boyd and Joel Andreas to ascertain just what it was I wanted. With 20 Steels to choose from and 1,800 plus handle materials, it can be a somewhat bewildering experience making a final decision. After much deliberation I went with my gut feeling and opted for the Camel bone with a red liner. As for steel choice I took Dean's advice and opted for AEB-L as it offers excellent edge retention, is easy to re-sharpen, and being stainless it won't get upset and start rusting if I forget to oil it one late night after a rabbit shoot.

Fast turn-around A few weeks later Dean delivered the completed knife. My first impressions were the overall heft and quality, made from 3mm thick steel with a blade length of 65mm it is built to be used. Its description as a pocket skinner sums it up perfectly. From rabbit to roe the Pritha will cope. The deep choil allows for secure finger or thumb placement safely behind the blade, a useful feature. Needless to say it comes sharp enough to shave hairs off your arm should you so wish.

"Taking a closer look at the fit and finish, I have to say that it is excellent."

It is certainly comparable with some of my other custom pieces from British makers. The seared grind of the blade gives it a purposeful look, and it comes with a Rockwell hardness of 58.6. The price includes a custom-fit sheath in a choice of leathers to best match your choice of handle material. As a finishing touch Dean will also stamp your initials into the sheath if you so wish.

Lifetime warranty As you would expect from a knife of this quality, it comes with a lifetime warranty should anything on the knife or sheath fail for any reason. With prices starting at £180.00 rising to £225.00 for a Damascus bladed version, they are competitively priced. When you consider you are getting a totally handmade knife made in West Sussex for less than some American factory blades that has to be good value!

Emberleaf Workshops was founded in 2010 by Dean and Joel, both being ex-Royal Engineers. Then a spell of running a bushcraft and survival school. Knives have been a huge part of their lives. Making knives is their passion, and they are happy to modify any of their existing range to fit your requirements. Or even create a unique one-off piece to your specifications if you so desire.