What strange beast crawls from the murky mangrove swamps of the Philippine archipelago? Lithe and fleet like the prey, yet toothed like the predator, an unholy confusion of genetics assembled by the summer typhoon? If your tongue has the famed agility of a Filipino knife fighter, perhaps you can pronounce its name in the native patois. Otherwise, you can call it the Sharkalope.
The Sharkalope is a mash-up of our favorite knife design elements from the most crazily diverse and fanatically passionate blade tradition in the world. We sought speed and perfect balance to accommodate the lightning fast strikes and quick defensive tip return favored by the Filipino martial arts tradition. At under 2 lbs and 26 inches long, it’s got the lowest mass-per-inch ratio of any blade we’ve made, and the over-sized handle inspired by classic Filipino ornamentation brings the center of balance to a point just above the hand. The Sharkalope’s weight, balance, and speed have made it a new test-cutting favorite around the shop, as it very literally cuts with a flick of the wrist and can be used in marathon cutting sessions without wearing you out.
The Sharkalope project was launched when we met a student of Filipino Martial Arts badass Ray Dionaldo, who turned us on to some videos. If you’ve never seen an FMA master in action, this videowhich demonstrates the fluid beauty of the fighting style.
Total Length: 26 in (.66m)
Blade Length: 17 in (.43m)
Handle Length: 9 in (.23m)
Grip Size: 4.5 in (.11m)
Steel Width: .204 in (5.18mm)
Steel Type: 5160
Weight: 1lbs 13oz (.82kg)