Christmas 1978 I assembled my first Knife. There was a "kit" shop in my hometown and Dad got me a knife kit for Christmas. The blade was a drop point hunter from Sheffield England, the handle material was Cocobolo and the kit included a brass bolster. So dad and I headed down to the basement workshop. I was a little young for the drilling and bandsaw work, but I watched dad intently as he went about assembling the components. Once the epoxy cured, I went to town with files and sandpaper shaping the handle. That knife and the sheath we made look as great today as they did when I helped to make them.
Fast forward 40 years and I'm still making knives. Only now I build them from scratch. I do occasionally purchase blades from other makers and use them with my handle materials, but 99% of the knives I make and sell have my own blades. I forge puukko and bushcraft style blades from high carbon 1095 and 1080 steel. The stainless steels I use are usually cpm-s30v and Bohler N690. The handle is almost exclusively figured burlwood from Minnesota, Wisconsin or Michigan. I scout out good spots for burls then locate and contact the owner or managing agency to make the purchase. Then the fun begins. Getting the burl out of the woods can be challenging, but the rewards are more than worth it. I can control how and when the burl is cut into pieces, giving me the opportunity to get the best looking and strongest wood. After the handle blocks dry, I send them to WSSI in Iowa to be stabilized. This process makes the wood durable and really brings out the best figure for a visually stunning handle.
When you grasp and use one of my knives, you can feel the connection to the earth they have. Cutting tools go way back in human history. In the same way that fire is in our DNA, I know that knives are in our DNA. Using a blade I made and handle material that I procured, makes that connection stronger and deeper.
First and foremost my knives cut, then they must be comfortable to use, the handle indexing to the cutting edge for precise control while using. The sheath has to protect the blade from damage while protecting the owner from getting cut. The sheath carries the knife easily so it can be ready for use. Finally everything should be pleasant to the eye- function and pleasing form. To that end- function- my knives carry a lifetime warranty. If the knife breaks or fails in any way, I'll replace it. You pay for shipping to me and I'll pay for shipping back to you. I put a lot of myself into the knives I make and I want you to know that you can trust and rely on them.
Stephen.