A very special true California spade bit inspired by Jose de Jesus Mardueno, the man who created the very first bit that became known as the Santa Barbara Spade Bit. My goal here was to design a modern bit with classic Mardueño characteristics like chased iron, twisted sterling silver inlaid rope, beveled cheeks, large silver spots, and the trademark Mardueño gap in each cheek. A seemingly simple bit, the longer you look the more details you’ll see.

**Jose was born in Jalisco, Mexico in 1828 or 1829. There does not seem to be any record of his early life but he came to California sometime after gold was discovered. He landed in San Franciso and came south to San Luis Obispo area. He eventually married and settled in the Santa Barbara area. His shop was located in the Rincon area of La Conchita and for many years it was still standing. He and his son Vicente are credited with creating the orignal design of what became known as the Santa Barbara Spade bit. Those made by Jose were hand hammered iron and he hand chased the metal to make the leaf and floral design. His son Vicente later added the silver, and worked with such noted bit makers as Albert Espinosa and Abbie Hunt.**