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Information(updated Feb,2011)
All the knives you will see on this site is hand forged and one of a kind.I test each blade before finishing it,and every knife is tested again before being offered for sale.
I try to get the blade grinds perfect,and the fit and finish as good as I can.I also spend a fair amount of time working on new designs.A knife should be well designed as well as having good steel and craftsmanship.I try to keep my prices as reasonable as possible.
I sometimes accept custom orders for Bowies,Fighters,Daggers and Hunters.
I prefer natural handle materials,and fancy hardwoods and burls are my favorite.
I only use carbon steels.Some of the steels I use is 1075,1080,1084,5160,and 1095.
I am now forging my own pattern welded(damascus) steel.I don't make many damascus blades,but in time I will produce a lot more.I am currently accepting orders for damascus knives,I prefer to have my own freedom in this area,because my work is best when I have freedom.
My knives are made mostly by hand using tools such as files,scrapers and lots of sandpaper.I have power tools and use them for only a small percentage of the work.Every blade is forged by hand using a 4lb hammer,then 2lb hammers.After forging,every blade is normalized at least 3 times and annealed.Then I use a angle grinder to remove the scale.I then,sometimes use a scraping tool,similar to the tool bladesmiths used hundreds of years ago,to thin out the blade a little.I then use a 2" x 48" belt sander.I sand the blade to about 150 grit before hardening.After hardening,the blades are double or triple tempered,then tested for edge holding and toughness.Then the blades are hand sanded to a nice polish(I do not mirror polish).If the knife was differential hardened or differential tempered,I will etch the blade to reveal a temperline.I especially like temperlines because of their beauty,and also,the quality of a blade is apparent with a temperline.Nothing is hidden.
I do all handle and sheath work myself as well.I am beginning to do a lot of carving with my handles.The style of carving I prefer is vines and leaves.I also carve nice lines into some handles.I have carved more oak leaves than anything.But in the future I will be doing a wider variety of carvings on the handles.
I especially like to design graceful knives.Most of the knives I have designed,I usually try to think of how the design could be at its most beautiful and most functional.Some of the knives on this site are custom designs.I make my best knives when I have some control over the design.I usually put a lot of detail into my own designed knives.
Whether the knife is an art knife or a fairly simple knife,I try to make the most of the design.
I make mostly fighters.But a few years ago everything I made was a Bowie,because Bowies were easy to sell.Now I prefer to do my own style knives,and I feel daggers and fighters allow me the most freedom in design and materials,and they have become my favorite knives.
Hunters and Bowies from me have become rare in recent years.
I started this business several years ago . I am pretty much self taught.
Knives are guaranteed against defects in workmanship and materials,no guarantee against abuse.
I am not responsible for any injuries or damages which result from misuse or abuse of my knives.
 Left: A picture of me with a Musso bowie replica I made in the summer of 2010.
 
Forging a Bowie Carving a Handle
Custom Orders
I can make a knife to your own specifications.Please keep in mind that I only use carbon steels,and prefer natural handle materials.If you decide to have a knife custom made please be patient,it takes longer to make a knife than most people think.If I am running behind schedule,I will keep you updated with emails and/ or pictures of the knife in progress.I do the work by hand,all by myself.I do not have a factory.I focus on quality,not quantity.My prices are very reasonable.If you do decide to order a knife,please keep in mind,it will turn out much better if I am allowed some freedom with the design.
I accept International Money Orders,Personal Checks(will have to clear before shipping),and I accept payment by credit cards and banks through Paypal.
My address:
P.O.Box 143,
Bay Largent,Newfoundland(NL)
Canada
AOE-1BO
Daggersmith@hotmail.com |
