Should I take my damascus kitchen knife hiking? At first glance, this may sound like a slightly silly question. In truth it is a silly question, but answering it will help illustrate the important differences between a damascus kitchen knife and a hiking knife. First it is worth defining a knife. In other words, what. . . Read More
We are stating the obvious when we say that the USA is a melting pot, a great and ever-evolving admixture of cultures, traditions, cuisines, languages, aesthetics, and all the things infused by the peoples of the world as they cross her borders and become Americans. And as in so many areas, this tradition of traditions. . . Read More
The short answer? Anywhere from $100-$10,000 or more. A look through my work will help to give you some sense of my pricing. The price of any given knife is based primarily on the labor involved in producing it, and that can vary dramatically as the parameters of a project shift, often in ways that are. . . Read More
I take great pride in my work, and I build my knives to last for generations. If you manage to break one, it probably I haven’t done my job properly. Should this ever come to pass, please reach out to me here so that I can make arrangements to repair or replace your knife. It. . . Read More
Caring for your custom knife is simple: Wash & dry the blade after each use. Oil the blade periodically to protect it from ambient moisture/humidity (which can lead to rust). Mineral oil is my top recommendation. As the handle’s finish dulls, apply a new coat of polymerizing oil. Boiled linseed oil is a good choice,. . . Read More
portfolios
NO! Unless specifically noted, all of my knives are made from hand forged high carbon steel. Lacking the chromium that gives “stainless” steel its name, high carbon steel will rust in the hot, damp environment of the dishwasher. Natural handle materials should likewise never be exposed to these conditions. On a personal note, I strongly. . . Read More
Have a look at Zack’s upcoming classes here. There are also a number of schools and individual bladesmiths offering classes. The American Bladesmiths Society is a good resource. If you are in the northeastern United States, we highly recommend the New England School of Metalwork. Zack has been involved with both the ABS and NESM. . . Read More
The short answer is no. I have been making knives for a little over ten years now, and I consider mysef fortunate to have found the craft. During that time, I have worked diligently to cultivate my style the vocabulary of my personal aesthetic. It is because my work grows naturally from within that I. . . Read More
Rust is steel’s number one enemy, and if a blade is put a way wet or neglected for too long, rust can find its way in. If the rust is minor–just a haze, or a few tiny specs–make a thick paste of water and baking soda to use as an abrasive. Carefully scrub the affected. . . Read More