California Custom Knives: November 2012

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Last Few for 2012

It has been a really BIG YEAR for me! In many ways both professionally and personally.

I am finalizing the works on a few knives then I hope to rest in the final weeks of 2012, regroup my energies, and plan out my next year.

So I thought I would post a few process shots of some knives I am making for customers.

On the top is an integral slicer. This is one of the more complex knives I have made to date as it features a rear integral bolster. This is the first time I have done on eof these and I think it is coming along nicely.

The other two knives are versions of my compact camp knife. I hope you enjoy seeing a few process shots. I'll have more to post soon:)

-DON:)

Friday, November 2, 2012

Tiber Canyon Ranch Holiday Craft Fair

Well...it's time again for the:

Tiber Canyon Ranch Holiday Craft Fair!

I invite you to come out and visit the ranch from 11Am-5PM on the weekends of:

November 17th &18th and November 24th &25th

There will be amazing glass blowing demonstrations and glass art available plus many other artists selling their works including ceramics jewelery textiles & much more!!!

Including culinary foodstuffs...

......like Chaparral Gardens Vinegars and Tiber Canon Ranch's famous olive oil!

Fortunately and unfortunately I sold this entire group of knives just before the show!

The good news, the sale of this group of knives will get me much closer to making the purchase of a new piece of equipment that will aid me in creating these fine knives.

My sincere apology to all of you attending the Tiber Event for not having these!

I do however have a set up & will have a small selection of knives for sale.

AND

I will have a list for you to sign-up for guaranteed delivery of a custom knife for your gift needs at the 2013 Tiber Canyon Ranch Holiday Craft Fair.

Please stop by my booth to talk about the details & order a knife for next years event.

See you there:) -DON:)

____________________

_________________________________

The blades just after Heat treatment:

The Blades getting handles assigned and
the tangs of the blades were tapered and refined for final fit:

Below, the blades are pre-fit to the handles and the handles are shaped.
Now it's time for the final blade finishes, some detail sanding to the handles & then
mounting of the blades to the handles. Then on to creating a trademark slip-sheath
for each knife and final sharpening.

Perfection and Beauty

What is a Hand Made Knife?

I specialize in making Heirloom Quality Knives.
They are made by hand.
This means that, while I do now own a few power tools compared to the first 7-years when I had virtually little to speak of, other than a hand drill and then a drill press; I now own a grinder and a power hammer; and yet, the knives are still created with hand-held practices, using fairly simple tools for the most part.
All of my knives are designed and created by me. I am creating some stock reduction knives, but other than that....
Each blade is forged hot on an anvil to 90% of the shape that it will be when finished. This takes Skill and lots of attention to accomplish. Adding in a TW-90 grinder helped with post stock reduction heat treatment, a process that has allowed me to refine the edge geometry on my chef knives to a place where I am very pleased with the results.
Then each knife is tested for edge-flex and toughness. Some of the testing phase can be seen in the banner image above, where after the edge-flex test I chop on very hard wood.
If the knives still shave hair after this testing then they are good to go!
Both of the two chef knives in that banner image passed with flying colors and will be cleaned-up and have handles placed on them. And eventually go into the kitchens or campsites of the new owners.
Knives made my hand are beautiful!