Phill Hartsfield
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Phill Hartsfield is a Southern California sword and knifemaker based in Garden Grove, California who is noted for popularizing the chisel ground blade in the western world. Hartsfield's designs have influenced other knifemakers, primarily Ernest 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 the Rockwell scale with the remainder of the blade hardened to 58-59 on the scale to allow for flex during the cut. An article in Blade Magazine notes that this strength protected the life of one Special Forces Advisor in El Salvador when the knife stopped a 7.62 rifle bullet fired by a Guerrilla.
The majority of Hartsfield's blades are designed as tools with little to no ornamentation. However, Hartsfield also makes museum quality pieces some on display at the Canadian Army Museum at Halifax Citadel as examples of Samurai Swords.
Hartsfield's knives are used by the US Navy Seals.
[edit] References
Steele, David E. (1997), "The Hottest Grind of All", Blade Magazine 24(3): 16-18
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.
