Harpia Knife Making - Tactical Knife With Kimono Micarta

In today’s video I bring this machete inspired by kukri and tracker, personalized with Japanese motifs. The blade was hand forged from a leaf spring, and I made the micarta for the grip myself using epoxy resin and braided kimono cotton. It was another idea that I had been wanting to execute and it fit well into a commissioned project. The kabuto on the left side was requested by the client, and when I realized that his surname was Japanese I suggested we also use his family symbol, which I made on the other side of the piece. The hem was lined with the same kimono fabric I made the micarta with, so they matched. I think this material is fantastic, because besides being simple, it is very durable and resistant. The Kimono in the background of the photo, for example, I’ve had for exactly 20 years and still use it. I’ve been training in martial arts since I was a child, and among my favorites are the Japanese ones (my mother says since I was little that she’s