Steel Flame Jewelry with an Attitude

By Mike Searson
We asked Mike to give us some fashion tips…. wait what, you say!? He had just three words : Steel Flame Jewelry.

USA –  -(Ammoland.com)- I get a lot of comments on my jewelry at trade shows, range trips, tactical courses and just in general. 95% of what we wear comes from the same maker: Derrick Obatake of Steel Flame based in Torrance, California.

Steel Flame makes more than just jewelry, however, Obatake ventures into knife making from full on custom knives to custom clips and thumb studs to fit Emerson and Hinderer knives as well as AR rifle parts with an attitude.

Steel Flame Rings

Our two Steel Flame rings are the Ancient Warrior and the BFD (Big Freaking Darkness).

At first we were concerned that they would get in the way when shooting. Quickly we found out that this was not the case, we like them because they can be an incredible asset when someone fancies themselves as a pugilist.

Crafted from the finest silver, Derrick puts his own personal touches on ever one. In the case of our Ancient Warrior it is a scar through the left eye set with gold (this is the eye we are blind in) and a gold tooth on the other side commemorating another wound. The backside of the ring is engraved with the initials GKTFO: Get Knocked The F Out.

Steel Flame Bracelets

A piece that seems to get the most attention is the Axe Link. It carries a lot of weight at close to 16 ounces of silver.

This design seems familiar to certain people as a series of 12 of them (3 up and 4 across) were used to make Mickey Rourke’s belt in the 2009 movie The Expendables. Each link on the belt has a ruby centered on it, too. The next time you watch the movie, you may notice that every time Rourke stands up, he has to pull up his pants.

Necklaces

The Iron Cross and Silver dagger that Stallone wears around his neck in the film were also courtesy of Steel Flame. We have a bullet pendant that is a replica of a 45 ACP bullet marked with a stylized cross and set with a green emerald.

After having a USFA revolver customized to look like Russel Crowe’s Colt in 3:10 to Yuma, Derrick made me a matching “Hand of God” revolver in gun metal finished sterling silver.

Lastly our Guardian, which resembles a set of jump wings from a graphic novel or action movie is made of bronze and was supposed to be the original logo for the Expendables, but they went with the Crow instead at the last minute.

Steel Flame Kill Box Bullet Hole Pendant

This was how we first heard of Steel Flame. Derrick takes a sheet of precious metal, shoots it with a handgun round and cuts out the bullet hole. He surrounds it with a border and turns it into wearable jewelry.

We were lucky enough to shoot our own in copper with a 41 Magnum round. Of all, this seems to be the most iconic of his designs.

Steel Flame AR Rifle Bling

If you want to add a little bling to your black rifle you can do it with either a skull on your rear take down pin or a larger one bolted to your rail.

The rail skulls work well as hand stops if you find yourself shooting an SBR or AR pistol and frown upon moving your hand in front of the bore. Derrick has been a long time shooter and firearm influences work their way into much of his art.

Knife Parts

Steel Flame’s knife clips can be simple with a basic engraving or more stylized with Crusader Shields, Rampant Lions, Fleur De Leis or a full size skull.

On the downside, they may draw attention to your pocket clip if you are trying to be inconspicuous, but really set off a statement when rocking a custom Hinderer or Emerson knife.

They also make thumb studs cut from the cartridge rim of a 45 ACP,45 Winchester Magnum round or any other large cartridge case.

MOLLE

With names like MOLLE and ALICE, it makes you wonder if DoD engineers aren’t really 40-year-old virgins. Steel Flame’s MOLLE clips add a little bit of attitude to your vest, plate carrier, pack or camera strap.

Like the knife clips this can be a basic engraving or stamping or a stylized piece like a silver skull.

Lighters

When an old school Zippo is not cool enough, Steel Flame offers full on custom Zippo lighters with a vermeil type treatment, engraving and an added skull or Crusader shield embellishment. A lanyard hole is added to the base and it is accompanied by a silver bead.

The best part about Steel Flame is their constant giving back to the community and the revenue they generate for this through lotteries and fundraisers.

About Mike Searson

Mike Searson’s career as a shooter began as a Marine Rifleman at age 17. He has worked in the firearms industry his entire adult life as a Gunsmith, Ballistician, Consultant, Salesman, Author and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1989.

Mike has written over 2000 articles for a number of magazines, websites and newsletters including Blade, RECOIL, OFF-GRID, Tactical Officer, SWAT, Tactical World, Gun Digest, Examiner.com and the US Concealed Carry Association as well as AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.

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