I use 1084 or 1095 high carbon steel from New Jersey Steel Baron or Admiral Steel. I typically use nickel silver for the guards and handle pins. The guards are soldered with Sta Brite silver bearing solder. The satin finish on the blades is hand rubbed. I use Gflex marine epoxy for assembly. I try to get the best fit and finish I can. I like to use dense woods and Micarta for the handles. They are less likely to get worn or dented. I make my sheaths with veg tanned leather, 7-9 oz. thickness.
Everything is made from scratch; I am the sole author from start to finish, excluding the stainless heat treat. i have recently started using cpm 154 stainless steel for my knives and the blades are sent to Peters heat treat to be hardened and tempered.