I just received my integral grinder platen from @ddworkrest and got it set up. I am VERY excited about this tool. It will make the smooth transition between an integral bolster and the flat of the blade much, MUCH easier to grind. I have always freehanded it. This is something I have envisioned for years but have never found the time to build my own. This setup is slick and simple, and it allows for multiple sizes of small wheel. Brace yourselves. The integrals are coming. #2x72beltgrinder #integralknife #machining #knifelife
Sometimes you just have to see it all from above. This is the layout of my hot shop and welding/grinding area. Thinking some things through.
30 seconds of dawn.
Working out a mild steel template for a full tang chef’s knife. I made a knife for my wife at the end of 2018 and we’ve been testing it out in our kitchen since then. We both really like. It’s our go-to knife for most tasks. I am making this template so that I can accurately make more! #cheflife #chefknife #customcutlery #luxurykitchen
30 seconds of calm, now featuring leaves and blue skies!
Zack’s very first cut through New Zealand greenstone (also known as “pounamu” or as nephrite jade). This is very exciting for me. #pounamu #nephritejade #greenstone #newzealand
Hmmmm... this should be interesting. #makeitwork #homeworkshop #yankeeingenuity
Here are some better shots of the damascus and silver cuff I made myself recently, pictured in the first one alongside the piece JD Smith did for my wife. I’m looking forward to making more of these for sure! #cuffbracelets #damascussteeljewellery #jewelryformen #handmade
“Kuro” tanto. 1075, silver, damascus, bog oak, and gold. This piece features two collaborative elements by good friends of mine. The habaki was done by Emiliano Carrillo @sunandstarsforge and the gold inlay detail was done by Michael Coffey @michaeljcoffey both of whom are extremely talented artists. And a special shoutout to Ed Braun @alef.forge who helped me plan the hamon. #samurai #custommade #bogoak #bladesmithing #mastersmith
Pointy point. #customblades #armsandarmor #byhand #slowlybutsurely
Sort of a pesh kabz dagger I’m working on. It’s still in pretty rough shape here but I’m working on refining it now. #peshkabz #indopersianarms #daggers #bladesmithing
30 seconds of not so calm. This is about ten minutes after my previous video.
30 seconds of calm, and the beginning of a fine spring thunderstorm.
Side project! This is a damascus and silver cuff bracelet. I had the opportunity to learn how to make them from my friend and mentor JD Smith as he made one for my wife. They are fun to make, and I have already thought of a number of ways to make the process easier (and faster) in the future. #damascusjewelry #damascussteeljewellery #cuffbracelets #handmadejewelry
Here’s a detail shot of the tanto, with a good look at the damascus tsuba with beautiful gold inlay by my good friend Michael Coffey @michaeljcoffey and habaki done by another good friend, Emiliano Carrillo @sunandstarsforge #handmade #customblades #knifecollectors #mastersmith
Tanto flyover! I finished this piece earlier this afternoon, and I’m REALLY happy with how it came together. Pro shots coming tomorrow, so for now here’s a bit of a teaser. #tantoknife #samuraiart #japanesesword #handmade
30 seconds of calm. Tall pines in the breeze, birdsong.
Polishing the mune (spine, in Japanese) of this tanto. #bladesmith #customknifemaker #handmadeknife #elbowgrease
Cutting a decorative groove. I use a series of files for this kind of thing. The first one is a very fine half-round, which I’ve ground to essentially a dagger shape. It works like something between a file and a scribe. Then a triangle file to open up the groove and fair the line, followed by a coarse and then a fine round file to shape the groove and then refine it.
Here is a peek at a long-running project that is nearing completion. Damascus steel, silver, gold, and 3500 year old bog oak. (The gold work was done by a good friend of mine, and I can’t wait to show it off!) #customartwork #handmade #bladesmith #bladesmithing