Description :

An exceptional, investment-grade example of high-art custom knifemaking: an early-production "Lady Diana" fixed-blade custom hunting knife handcrafted by the legendary master bladesmith, the late Roderick "Caribou" Chappel. 

Named after the Roman Goddess of Hunting, the "Lady Diana" was designed by Chappel to embody his strict philosophy of combining sweeping visual fluid lines with uncompromised field functionality. This specimen represents the absolute pinnacle of Chappel’s highly sought-after foundational era.

Handcrafted in his early Spokane, Washington workshop, the blade is clearly struck on the presentation side with Chappel's original shop moniker: "DAVIS KNIVES / SPOKANE, WA"—named in honor of his grandfather, Roderick Davis. Adding immense value and historical provenance to this piece is the meticulously hand-etched script dating its completion exactly to July 16th, 1982, accompanied by Chappel's authentic, sweeping signature: "A Roderick Caribou Chappel Knife".

True to Chappel's legendary engineering standards, the knife features his signature ergonomic, deeply contoured presentation-grade exotic hardwood handle with an integrated sub-hilt/finger choil. The handle is masterfully balanced by a high-polish stainless steel guard and an aggressively hooked pommel, allowing the knife to lock perfectly into the hand for flawless blade control. The pristine 4½-inch recurve blade boasts Chappel’s flawlessly executed, signature mirror-polish grind lines. 

Early 1980s pieces stamped under the "Davis Knives" banner are incredibly scarce, rarely entering the open market. This remarkably well-preserved, fully documented piece serves as an absolute must-have anchor for any serious collector of vintage American custom knives. 

• Maker: Roderick "Caribou" Chappel (Davis Custom Knives)
• Model: Lady Diana
• Origin Location: Spokane, Washington, USA
• Production Date: July 16, 1982 (Hand-etched
• Blade Length: 4.5 inches
• Overall Length: Approx. 8.75 inches
• Blade Finish: Mirror-Polished High-Art Grind
• Handle Material: Presentation-grade contoured exotic hardwood
• Fittings: Polished stainless steel guard, sub-hilt, and matching hooked pommel
• Markings: Stamped "DAVIS KNIVES / SPOKANE, WA" on the obverse ricasso; hand-signed "A Roderick Caribou Chappel Knife" with completion date on the reverse flat