Here's a short guide to my knife-making process:

 

Steels I use:
The main steels I use are ATS34 and 440C stainless steel, however I can use other types on request.
I have had these two types tested independently and found them to be the best all round steels for knife making.
Blades made from these steels stay sharp for a long time and are good to sharpen.
I get them hardened to 58 to 60 RC.

Timbers I use:
I have good selection of timbers from across Australia. You can check them out on the timber page.
I also have small amounts of some other timbers not pictured on the page.
I have exotic timbers available as well. For information on and pictures of these please contact me.
Man-made timbers available include packer wood and coren.

Horn for handles:
I have red stag, fallow stag, chital stag, rusa stag and buffalo horn and a number of others. I am always on the look out for more, so please contact me if you have some for sale.

Bolsters and pins:
I have stainless steel, brass, aluminium and nickel silver for you to choose from.

Designing your own knife:
There are a few things to consider when designing your knife:
1: What you will use it for?
2: What blade shape suits the purpose?
3: How big do you need your knife?
4: Designing a handle shape so it sits nicely in
your hand
5: How thick you want the handle
6: The size of your hand
7: Decide if you want a bolster or not. If so, choose a material

If you would like to design your own knife please contact me to discuss size and materials. You can also create a pattern and post or email it to me. For some ideas for a knife, with and without a bolster, see the diagrams on the right.

Payment for knives:
With custom knives there is a $100 deposit. Once I start work on your knife the deposit is not refundable.
With all other knives you have a couple of options:
1: Pay in full upfront
2: Pay over a number of weeks, similar to lay-buy

  
Some ideas for a knife design:
   
 

Knife with angled bolster and thong hole
   
 

Knife with straight bolster and different pin patterns
   
 

Knife with no bolster and different pin pattern