Spotlight - Gunstock Indian Club by Larry Harley
Custom Bladesmith

Artice and Photographs by Adrian Ko

"He is probably one of the most underrated grinders in the world," says swordmaker Randal Graham of the senior-level bladesmith. "He's also a darn good forger." Currently a journeyman with the ABS (at the time of this article) with plans to test for his master bladesmith rating, bladesmith Larry Harley (known to his friends as "Harley") is the maker of the featured Gunstock Indian Club (right photo). This weapon was so artistic, unique and full of cultural flavors that I had to hold it in my hands.

Being primarily of a katana background, I found that the Gunstock Indian Club was solidly constructed, yet amazingly light, swift and maneuverable - balanced to pack deadly force on the stone texture blade.

But is the blade made of stone?

The ingenuity of Harley's skill would have been bypassed had he not clued me into its true nature. "The blade is actually made from 440C stainless with a black titanium coating applied with a laser, similar to the coating used by EDI and Microtech." The result is a blade that looks incredibly like stone. The blade sports a stick tang, which is then pinned, expoxied and nutted from the other end for a secure hold. "Wood is extra thick surrounding the tang to prevent cracking under heavy use," said Harley. That area is then wrapped in leather on the top for authenticity and bound with artificial sinew.

Seeing steel textured this way was a humbling experience.

The handle is wrapped in leather, and when finalized, it may have artificial eagle feathers to adorn it. Price for a similar piece runs approximately US$1,000.

The wood comprising the gunstock is maple. The unique club came into existence when a local gunstock maker encountered an imperfection in the wood and offered it to the hearty bladesmith who saw the beauty and potential of it, and essentially gave it a wholly different nature.

Larry Harley began grinding knives in 1981 and began bladesmithing in the mid-80's. He is a second generation knifemaker who specializes in large fighting knives. "My daddy started making knives. I have the knife he made during WWII. I have a couple that he made that were made from lumber from Howard Hughes first planes!"

His background in understanding and developing fighting knives comes from his actual use in wild Russian boar hunting where on many occasion he has decidedly used nothing but his own bowie design to dispatch the hunt - the boar are typically incredibly strong and ferocious (and well equipped with two knives of their own!).

The Gunstock Indian Club is but one example of Harley's many creative works. The bladesmith works with damascus, where blade and hilt are forged from a single piece of steel.

As to his specialities, Harley had but a hearty laugh. "Ah just try to make a livin'!"

Contact Information

E-mail: Info@LonesomePineKnives.com

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