- Phill Hartsfield
Phill Hartsfield is a
Southern California sword and knifemaker based inGarden Grove, California who is noted for popularizing the chisel ground blade in the western world. Hartsfield's designs have influenced other knifemakers, primarilyErnest Emerson .Hartsfield's blades are Japanese-influenced, each one is hand ground from A2
tool steel , and differentially edge hardened to RC 60-61 on theRockwell scale with the remainder of the blade hardened to 58-59 on the scale to allow for flex during the cut. This strength protected the life of aSpecial Forces advisor inEl Salvador when a Hartsfield knife stopped a7.62x51mm NATO rifle bullet fired by a guerrilla.Steele, David E. (1997), "The Hottest Grind of All", "Blade Magazine" 24(3): 16-18]The majority of Hartsfield's blades are designed as tools with little to no ornamentation. However, Hartsfield also makes
museum quality pieces, some of which are on display at the Canadian Army Museum atHalifax Citadel as examples ofSamurai Swords.Hartsfield's knives are used by the US Navy Seals.Tieves, Bruce (1998), "Captain Tactical", "Blade Magazine" 25(1): 41-44] Hartsfield, Phill (1995), "Live Swords", "International Shinkendo Newsletter" Volume 1, Issue 3.] Pacella, Gerard (2002), "100 Legendary Knives", Iola, USA, Krause Publications, p 126. ISBN 0873494172.]
References
External links
* [http://www.phillhartsfield.com/index.html Phill Hartsfield's Official Website]
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