“The Blue Duck is a hefty frontier-style knife that’s up to any challenge.”
— James R. Cook, Master Bladesmith
The Blue Duck Knife Kit Series delivers a rugged frontier-style fixed blade platform designed for substantial in-hand feel, refined balance, and premium custom finishing. Originally designed by Master Bladesmith and Arkansas Living Treasure James R. Cook, the Blue Duck combines traditional field knife character with the precision fit and production quality expected from the Master Series lineup.
Centered around a 4.00" satin-finished blade and an 8.375" overall length, the Blue Duck offers a balanced working profile suited for hunting, outdoor utility, camp use, and custom collector builds. The broad blade geometry and substantial 0.240" stock thickness give the platform a solid, authoritative feel while maintaining excellent handling characteristics through its tapered tang construction.
Each variation in the series shares the same Master Series blade construction and tapered tang layout, allowing builders to focus on shaping, finishing, and handle customization while selecting the handle material configuration that best matches the desired final appearance and personality of the build.
The Blue Duck features both a tapered blade and a skeletonized tapered tang for improved weight reduction and balance. The tang includes two 0.125" handle pin holes, with stainless steel pinstock included for assembly. This streamlined construction creates a responsive feel in hand while preserving the substantial character expected from a heavy-duty frontier-style knife.
As part of the exclusive Master Series collection, every Blue Duck blade is manufactured with elevated attention to grind precision, fit, finish, and overall production detail. Crafted from 9Cr13CoMoV stainless steel—equivalent to SUS440C—and heat treated and cryo-treated to HRC 58–60, the platform delivers dependable edge retention, corrosion resistance, and long-term durability for real-world use or display-worthy finishing work.
The series is available both as a blade blank only configuration and as combo kits featuring premium hardwood handle scales. Available scale options include Bubinga, Canarywood, Curly Maple, Lacewood, Mahogany, Purpleheart, Walnut, and Yellowheart—allowing each completed knife to take on its own unique grain structure, natural contrast, and finished presentation.
Whether the goal is a dependable working knife, a handcrafted field carry, or a premium custom project inspired by one of James R. Cook’s respected designs, the Blue Duck series delivers a Master Series platform designed to feel substantial, finish beautifully, and carry unmistakable craftsmanship from guard to pommel.