A great deal of careful consideration was invested in creating our Westley Richards stalking knife. We worked hard to address some of the pitfalls into which others stumble. Our knife had to be the right size, it had to feel comfortable and usable in the hand, the blade had to hold a razor edge, and it had to be handmade in England.Â
We set out to create the finest iteration of a practical stalking knife it is possible to make. Close inspection of every detail will find it flawless, yet in the hand, in the field, it will perform repeated gralloching duties reliably for a lifetime.
It is not possible to make best-quality bespoke knives in England down to a price. Like our rifles, we build up to our level of quality and artistry, then we reveal what that costs. Compromise is not an option, this knife had to be worthy of the Westley Richards name.
Proportion is the key to a practical knife. Our stalking knife has a three-and-a-quarter inch blade made from RWL34 premium stainless steel and a four-and-a-half inch handle, contoured to fit the hand and not slip. Construction is full-tang, meaning the steel blank of the blade runs the full length and width of the handle, providing exceptional strength.
The handle scales are carved from walnut, not any walnut, but the very best with which we stock our sporting arms, bedded on olive and ivory G10 handle liners, perfectly shaped, smoothed and finished to our exacting standards. The bolts fastening scales to tang are made from brass as used for our gun cases, polished and then engraved by hand with a design familiar to our best quality guns and rifles.  The knife comes complete in a handmade barked-tanned leather sheath and is available to purchase for £895 | $1,150.Â
We realise that a knife at this price point is a hard thing to justify in practical terms. However, we believe it is fitting to our range to have produced the best knife that can be made.
Just as there is a desire to head into the field with a fine bespoke hunting rifle, perhaps wearing a sports watch costing several thousand pounds, the same quest for perfection in form and function extends to every other aspect of equipment and apparel. Some might argue that the Westley Richards stalking knife is too good to use. We say it is too good not to.
To place an order, contact our retail team via email - retail@westleyrichards.co.uk  - or call us on +44 (0)121 333 1900.
The Explora Blog is the world’s premier online journal for field sports enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, conservationists and admirers of bespoke gunmaking, fine leather goods and timeless safari clothes. Each month Westley Richards publishes up to 8 blog posts on a range of topics with an avid readership totalling 500,000+ page views per year.
Blog post topics include: Finished custom rifles and bespoke guns leaving the Westley Richards factory; examples of heritage firearms with unique designs and celebrated owners like James Sutherland and Frederick Courteney Selous; the latest from the company pre-owned guns and rifles collection; interviews with the makers from the gun and leather factory; new season safari wear and country clothing; recent additions to our luxury travel bags and sporting leather goodsrange; time well spent out in the field; latest news in the sporting world; and key international conservation stories.