The very first attempt at making a knife was in 1967 in Ironton,Ohio, my uncle gave me an old file and I started grinding on it until it took the shape of a knife,still can't remember where it went . I again started making knives in 1995 and over the years have really enjoyed making them.I taught myself quite a lot and I got a lot of pointers from fellow knife makers.A.T Barr,Jim Downs,Jon Wilson and Mick Koval just to name a few.I started making Damascus {pattern welded steel} in 1999 after watching a Discovery program on Japanese sword makers plus I read every book and any information on knives,Damascus and knives related subjects that I could get my hands on. You might say I am addicted. I make handmade knives from start to finish in my shop.I do not buy blade blanks and put handles on them and call them hand made knives.I make knives to be used and affordable to the working man. As a working man I know it's hard to let your hard earned cash go.But I also make a knife that is going to last and be useable for a life time. {With proper care and using it for what it is made to do and that been cutting,skinning,slicing and dicing.} I use high carbon steels 52100,1095,1084,L-6 and O-1 tool steel.ATS 34,440c and 154cm stainless steel. I use 1095,1084 and 1084 powder.L-6 and O-1 tool steel for the Damascus. I use exotic wood,Ivory, bone,horn and antler[white tail,moose,elk,mule deer,sandbar stag]and some manmade materials.From around the world. I also make by hand the leather sheaths for each knife. I hope you enjoy your visit to my site and if you have any question or comments E-mail them and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.Thank You
Below is one of the latest knives.Fashioned after an old Bowie.The blade is 9 1/2"long.
The first knives were made with files,sandpaper,and a lot of sweat.I started receiving Blade Magazine,and at the same time bought a couple of books on knife making.Such as Step by Step Knifemaking,by David Boye.And over the years have acquired quite a collection of books on knifemaking.(When asked by people that are interested in starting making knives I recommend both of the above plus a few others).
After reading articles in both Blade and reading the books several times,I started making my own equipment.I build a grinder using a 8" stone,washing machine motor and some plywood.I used the grinder to profile the blades and rough grind the edges.and then I would hand finished the blade.After a while I bought a 42" belt grinder and reworked it until it fit our needs.I cut,ground and redrilled until a 48"belt would fit.
I had attend couple of gun shows and flea markets and sold some knives. then I heard about a knife show in Dover,Ohio.I got the information on the show and sent the application in .In a few weeks I received the approval in the mail.While attend the first knife show at Dover,Ohio I had a table beside a knifemaker and his wife from Johnstown,Pennsylvania.Jon J. and Patty Wilson. I talked through out the 2 day show,and we became good friends.Both Jon and Pat encouraged me not to give up and get disappointed if I didn't sell any knives.Well the first show I didn't sell any,But had a lot of lookers that liked the style of the knives that I made.
I make knives that I take pride in. A good knife at a fair price.I want the buyer to have something that he can take pride in, and to be complete satisfied with the knife that he purchases from me.
After drawing the shape of the pattern on the steel that I'm going to use. I use a metal cutting band saw to cut out the blank. I do all the work on my knives. I don't buy knife blanks.If I don't use this saw it's a Accalene torches or forging.
This is where I Hand Sanded/Polish the knives after I grind the profile and cutting edge into the knife.I start with 220 grit paper and sand sometimes to 2500 grit, but ussaully stop at 600.
The grinder that I use a kmg.grinder.I grind the profile and edge into the knife. not a very good photo,a knife maker/ not a photographer
These knives are ready to be hand sanded/polished.
Hand sanding, I start with 220grit wet/dry paper and go to 400 and then 600,sometimes all the way to 2500 grit.
Not a very clear photo but you can see the used paper on the floor.I will take more photos,better ones I hope
My knives are finished when you can see yourself in them,
