Category Archives: Other

Burl is a growth of a tree (almost like a wart) that produces some amazing grains.  This is a neat kind of wood to use for knife handles.  I haven’t found any burl yet, but I did cut this chunk from the roots of  a downed oak tree.  I have read that the root areaContinue reading “Wood for handles”

I recently ordered some leather and tools to make sheaths.  I started one, but had to leave for Portland for a while.  Once I get back my leather punch should have arrived and I can finish up the sheath I started before I left.  I am excited about this because the sheath feels like the trueContinue reading “Leather arrived”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxL2gCuwPl4&feature=email My brother and I were testing some of my knives after I sharpened them.  Here is the link to the video he shot.

After much consideration I just ordered some 1080 steel from Admiral Steel.  Using “junk steel” is a gamble and you don’t always know what you have to work with.  This way I will know exactly what quality steel I have and how to make it into a useful knife.  I’ve had some pretty good resultsContinue reading “Big news”

I remembered that a branch fell off our silver maple tree a while back.  This piece measured 1-3/4″ thick, but was completely solid.  The oak had some soft bark and such, but this was nothing but hard maple (maple is one of the hardest woods I can think of).  This took some real effort, butContinue reading “Incredible”

I found this on the internet and it gives some insight into what steel you may find when working with random products you would find at the junkyard. I find this as interesting, but still test my lawn mower blades to make sure it will harden when quenched and if water or oil does aContinue reading “Junkyard Steel”

I had the most generous gift the other day.  These kiln bricks are exactly what I was supposed to be using for heat treating versus the hard fire bricks I have been using.   Who knew?  These work so much better and life is really good now. Thank you so much Kyle and Marshall!

I’ve read a number of books on heat treating steel, but how do I know if it really is working with my lawn mower blades? I field tested some small pieces off of one blade and here is the proof. The steel on the top picture was annealed (softened) on one end and heat treatedContinue reading “Proof that what I am doing works”