I do forge all of my own blades. Most of my carbon steel and damascus blades are forged to shape, while I usually just cut and grind stainless steel blades to shape. I DO NOT work with pre-made blades at all, not for modifications or finishing work. For the most part, I forge my own damascus, with the exception of a client wants to supply a certain billet if damascus they have on hand, which I’ve done more than once.
I’ve made lots of really odd knives, so I don’t often shy away from strange custom requests.
If I had to describe my knives, I’d call them Neo-Traditional in style. I work in many types of steels, carbon and stainless, as well as many different patterns of damascus steel. I do tend to lean towards a polished knife, but I do may other finishes as well. I often utilize sambar stag and elk antler as well as many varieties of stabilized and non-stabilized woods. Two of my favorite handle materials are linen based micarta and bone. I use all sorts of colors of micarta, but I am fond of burgundy linen or green linen the most. I do like using stabilized bone quite often, especially fossilized and artifact bones. My knife are intended to be used. If I’m doing a custom order, I’ll often inform the client if I feel one or more of their choices would hinder the performance or longevity of their knives, and that’s because I want to make functional told that will last and preform well and look good doing it.
