So a few years ago, I started to re-think some things and a former student introduced me to the knives he was making. Over the next year I paid full freight for three of his knives.

A year later, he sold me an anvil (400lb Haybudden a forge, pole vise and all the fixings. And I started blacksmithing. I am an OK blacksmith, but I do not take projects for people etc. It is just a fun hobby.

But as my friend kept teaching me about knife making I got more and more into it. I recently joined the ABS and I am in the process of training for my Journeyman test.
So, over the last year I have been working at it. I currently have seven knives in the process. Two are finished, with one still needing a sheath, I suck at sheaths. The other three will be finished soon ( a chef, a hunter, and a mini bowie [my term] in stainless san mai

So here are a few pictures if flickr will cooperate, first the complete knives and then the process.

My Damascus fighter, and sheath:
20210629_201710 by redstone71, on Flickr
20210629_201808 by redstone71, on Flickr
20210629_201739 by redstone71, on Flickr

80crv2 hunter, sheath in process: (I will update when I can, I screwed up the tooling on the leather):

20210611_100148 by redstone71, on Flickr
20210530_223605 by redstone71, on Flickr


The build (I anticipated making 40+ knives over the next year or so) Burt told me that after I make 20 knives, I will then know which questions to ask:

Heat treating after forging and rough grinding -
20210529_084702 by redstone71, on Flickr

So much sanding . . . OMG -
20210529_101001 by redstone71, on Flickr

Working on milling the guard and spacer, Now I know I need a mill -
20210529_101001 by redstone71, on Flickr

20210530_111452 by redstone71, on Flickr

20210530_134405 by redstone71, on Flickr

Rough fitting the damascus and starting on the San Mai build.

20210608_184047 by redstone71, on Flickr

20210610_103715 by redstone71, on Flickr

Will it fit? -
20210629_084236 by redstone71, on Flickr

How many PhD's can say they know how to do a 2 needle saddle stitch . . . hehe -

20210629_125817 by redstone71, on Flickr



Learning to make sheaths -

20210625_182238 by redstone71, on Flickr

20210628_222522 by redstone71, on Flickr

Your knives look great. It looks like you have learned well.

That's great work, redstone.

Very nice, like the shape, and they look like they will.........keeeel!

Awesome work! That damascus fighter is incredible. The grain on the steel and the wood really work nicely together. What kind of wood is that?

Those are great! I’d buy any one of them and be real happy. Keep it up. That Damascus fighter is super cool!

Love the Damascus Fighter, awesome work!

Wow! You put a lot of work into those works of art!

Great work, Redstone!! I really like your eye for shaping and finishing.

Beautiful knives!! Great job!!

Wow those all look absolutely fantastic.

Nice, best of luck.

Very well done! I admire your skills and ability.

Beautiful, so much to be proud of.

Look pretty professional to me.

Very nice work.

Wow those are fantastic, your skill is very good.

You probably already know of this, but for the others who might be interested: Link to JANTZ SUPPLY knifemaking.com website is a great resource for knife making supplies.

I suck at making knives, gave that up, so now I only repair or replace knife scales (the wood handle). If I get a knife that I like but the handle is a bit small for me, I put on new scales for me.

Jantz has an amazing collection of beautiful wood as well as gorgeous rivets, etc.

Go to the website and get on the list for the next paper catalog that comes out (has great info on this n that, etc).
.

Very well done, sir.

The only thing I'd throw out there that you may want to try for stitching leather is that I always found it easier to use one needle for the saddle stitching instead of two needles. It's not as fast, but way more convenient. That way I did not have to use something else to hold the leather (I just held leather with one hand and needle with other and do it in front of the TV or something). So basically I would do exactly the same stitch with just one needle all the way around to last hole and then double my way back to where I started. This had the added benefit of not being a problem of piercing the thread while going through the hole since the other side thread was tight already.

I also would sometimes press groove the leather along the hole path so the stitched thread would not sit so proud over the leather for better wear resistance.

Another tip is if you like contrasting thread, waxed Dental Floss in white, red, or green makes an excellent thread (albeit thin compared to normal leather threads, but you can double up on it to make thicker looking) and in my experience is actually stronger than the normal leather threads. In addition, makes it minty fresh or cinneman smelling depending on the floss!

Go ahead and put me down for one of those damascus fighters. Great looking knife.

(Seriously, I'd buy one)