My Knives

I am an ABS Master Smith with 0ver forty years of knifemaking experience. This year (2021) marked my 33rd year as a Master Smith with the American Bladesmith Society and 40th year as a knifemaker. All my knives are forged in my shop. I make the sheaths (leather wrapped wood sheaths), forge the blades, grind, heat treat, etc.  I do it all and I am hoping one day to make a perfect knife (you’ve got to have a goal – smile).

I make knives that I like.  Knives that I would own and use.  I will take orders and you can contact me if there is a design that appeals to you.  If you are interested in one of my knives, please contact me at 785 220 8043. Call or tx.

My other life involves being a college professor and years ago I realized that the research I engaged in and the articles I had written soon became outdated as new knowledge took its place. I had this insight back then that some of my knives would be prized and valued way beyond the time of any of my professional publications and likely even my life. A knife that I created might last centuries or even longer. An article I wrote was unlikely to be even worth a footnote in a couple of decades. There was something powerful about that comparison.

Personally, I like many of the historic knives and swords. In the photos here, you can see a recent sword I made. Usually, when I make a sword it is an attempt to be true to known historic pieces: a recent court sword (small sword) of a colichemarde design, a 19th century British saber with a mameluke handle, or a Japanese katana.

My hunting knives run between patterns of the late New England 1700s, often referred to as rifleman’s knives, to knives with reverse stag handles. I think I have modified those designs a bit to achieve a certain effect. Obviously, they are not identical to the historical pieces but you should be able to see the influence and similarity.

I, like most other bladesmiths, enjoy making bowies. I also like long knives and fighters. Then on occasion, I will just make a knife because at the moment that particular design attracted my interest. Personally, I like big knives and small hunters. My favorite knife right now is a five inch drop point blade with a highly curved tang.

I take most blades I make and test them before I finish them off. That also includes the swords that I make. I expect a buyer to be able to use my knives and appreciate their ability to meet or exceed the performance of any other knife that they have ever owned. The performance of the blade is very important to me and I have gone to a great extent in time and equipment to make each blade the best that I can. My heat treating of a blade uses precise computer controlled salt tanks. I do not guess when the blade is at the optimum temperature.

So why should you order or buy a knife from me. I offer high end quality for moderate price. I am honest and I am interested in preserving a relationship with a buyer. My knives are appreciated by collectors, fellow knife makers, and the person who wants a knife they can depend upon. If something goes wrong with the knife being used for what it was intended, I will fix or replace it. If you buy a knife from me and it does not meet your expectations, you can send it back and get a full refund. In forty years of making knives I have developed a strong positive reputation based on buyer satisfaction and trust.

My favorite designs have matured during this pandemic period. I had more time to just work on design. Below are pictures of hunters that represent full tang designs with sweeping elegantly curved handles.

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