Getting over this summer

I don't know what happened to the summer but last thing I remember was Blade Show! Seriously I took a little time off to recover from the Blade Show, went to the range, trained for a fight (more on that later!) and just relaxed. Then I got busy on my summer projects: I had promised Blade Magazine to write a whole chapter for their upcoming Guide To Making Knives II so I decided to explain how I use my pantograph to make patterns and then the knives. That project took several weeks, between making the actual patterns and knives, taking and editing photos and writing the chapter. I took this opportunity to re-design my Tank model (version 3.0), make new patterns and proof them with a small series of knives. I think they turned out great and so did the guys that were lucky to get their hands on them!

After the book I needed to make a special Tank knife for a very famous movie star who really likes my knives. I swore confidentiality so I can't tell you who it is but I can show you the knife!

Last year I had started making limited runs of some of my very first folder models, the Omega Series. I have already made the M1 and M2 in 2010 and I just finished the Omega M5 series. These knives are based on the original line drawings from my catalogs of way back then but they are made with the methods and processes I use today. The best of old school tacticals!

With the Paris knife show looming in a few weeks; I am busy in the shop making goodies to bring.

You have met Dr. Jekyll, now meet Mr. Hyde!

The model I designed for the Build-Off had 2 blades designs. I made one and called it Jekyll and I finally finished a few models with the other blade shape to take to the show.

Meet Mr. Hyde!





On the Hogue front we also have been working hard to get the EX-F01 Damascus and cocobolo fixed blades ready for Blade. I think they turned out awesome! These are for sale and quantities are very limited.



The first EX-02 prototypes will also be unveiled. These are not for sale but we should be in full production within a couple of months.





If you are making it to the Blade Show come by and say hi at booths 54 & 55 in the back of the room!

More Blade Show prep and some finished knives.

10 days left to finish all I want to bring to the show.... the heat is on!

Here are some examples of what I will have at the show:






Hogue and I are also working hard to have the EX-02 prototypes ready for the show



I am finishing some Tanks right now and will make the first Hyde models right before leaving for the show. Back to the shop....

Blade Show preparation

Atlanta will become the center of the cutlery universe from June 10th to the 12th when the Blade Show will be held at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Hundreds of knifemakers, manufacturers, dealers will gather to sell and show their wares.

More info about the Blade Show here

This year I will have a booth (#54 at the back of the room) right next to Hogue's booth. I will have a variety of my customs including the new model(s) Jekyll/Hyde that I made during the Build-Off. I am planning to use a variety of materials such as Damascus, Timascus, Moku-Ti, Zirconium, Lightning Strike carbon fiber, marble carbon fiber, various woods and ivory.





Hogue will also have exciting products such as 5.5" and 7" Damascus EX-F01 fixed blades with cocobolo handles, all the EX-01 folder and EX-F01 fixed blade variations. Also expected to be unveiled at the show: EX-02 prototypes!



I am hard at work making knives and will be posting more pictures soon!

Knifemakers Build-Off 2011 (Final photos)

Here is the finished knife with all the bells and whistles! It is a new model that will be part of my line of knives from now on and I will have some at the Blade Show in June. This is a fancy version with stainless steel Damascus blade (Chad Nichols), Timascus bolsters and clip, mastodonte ivory scales and zirconium spacer.

Knifemakers Build-Off 2011 (Days 4 & 5)

Here is the last pictures of the work-in-progress before it is completely done. I cannot show every steps as it would take forever but I think you can get a good feel for the process involved when I make a knife.

I need to slot the liner:





Next I need to grind and finish the blade:







After a lot more work, the blade will be completely done and fitted up to the knife and I'll also have the liners detailed.

I still need to make the clip. I left this for last because I was unsure of the material and the shape of the clip but I have a good idea on what I want to do. There is a specific look I am trying to achieve with this knife and it will be explained in the final pics.







Next the photos of the finished knife!

Knifemakers Build-Off 2011 (Day 3)

The next day I got the various parts ready for the pantograph, cut and fitted the bolsters and handle material together.









Then I started working on the spacer, which will be made of zirconium.





Next I worked on the handles, grinding, profiling and contouring.







These are only some of the steps to finish the handles; you will see the handles completely finished in the final photos.