Kit Carson Custom Knife – Garbo Scrimshaw Ivory, Weyer Book IV Provenance
This Kit Carson custom knife is a true collector-grade piece from the “Golden Age” of custom knifemaking—elevated by hard provenance, elite artistry, and period-correct materials. Documented in Jim Weyer’s Knives: Points of Interest, Book IV (Page 19), this Kit Carson custom knife carries the kind of published reference that serious collectors value as museum-level verification.
Heritage and Provenance: The Weyer–Carson Connection
For advanced collections, provenance matters as much as condition. Weyer’s Points of Interest series is widely regarded as a definitive historical record for custom knives, and inclusion in Book IV places this knife in a documented lineage—preserving its story, credibility, and long-term collectability.
Artistry by Garbo: 1990 Color Scrimshaw on Dovetailed Ivory
The handle scales are dovetailed ivory, serving as a gallery-worthy canvas for Gary Williams (“Garbo”), a world-renowned scrimshaw artist. The vivid 1990-dated color scrimshaw Western portrait remains crisp and vibrant, with fine detail that highlights why Garbo’s work is pursued across both the art knife and tactical collecting communities. This is not decoration—it’s hand-executed art, integrated into a premium Carson build, with presence you can appreciate instantly in-hand.
Construction and Performance Details
Designed with real-world ergonomics and refined finishing, this Carson folder balances elegance with purposeful utility. Blade: 3″ Damascus steel with a thumb-notched spine for controlled, precise handling. Deployment: checker-milled steel thumb stud for confident, tactile engagement. Frame & Bolsters: anodized titanium bolsters, liners, and back strap—lightweight strength with a refined aesthetic. Overall length: 7 1/2″ open.
Condition Notes
Overall condition is Near Mint. Handle note (ivory): a fine, stable pin crack is present—typical of vintage organic materials and consistent with age. It does not detract from the knife’s structural integrity, and it remains an honest characteristic of period ivory.
Ivory Compliance and Responsible Selling
At We Buy Knife Collections, we take compliance seriously. Based on the information provided for this piece, it is represented as meeting the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service “De Minimis” exception criteria commonly referenced for interstate commerce: the ivory is a fixed component of a larger handcrafted item; the ivory is not the primary source of value (value derives from the maker, the artist, and documented provenance); the ivory component is represented as under 200 grams; and provenance supports pre-restriction manufacture. Important: ivory laws and enforcement can vary by state and locality. Buyers are responsible for confirming compliance with their jurisdiction before purchase or shipment.
Why This Kit Carson Custom Knife Belongs in Your Serious Collection
Between published Weyer documentation, a 1990 Garbo color scrimshaw, and a classic Carson Damascus folder build, this is the type of Kit Carson custom knife that anchors a collection—rare, referenceable, and visually unforgettable.
Specifications:
- Status: Preowned
- Maker: Kit Carson (Harold “Kit” Carson, Vine Grove, KY)
- Blade Length: 3″
- Overall Open Length: 7½”
- Blade Material: Damascus steel
- Thumb Stud: Checkered steel
- Blade Spine: Thumb-notched
- Bolsters / Liners / Back Strap: Anodized titanium
- Scales: Dovetailed ivory with full color scrimshaw
- Scrimshaw Artist: Gary Williams “Garbo” (dated 1990)
- Published: Jim Weyer’s Knives Points of Interest Book IV, page 19 (1993)
- Condition: Near mint — fine blade scratches; fine pin crack in handle
- Ivory Compliance: Meets federal de minimis exception for interstate sale
Have questions about WBKC? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about about our mission.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.