• Some ideas for a knife design:

  • Diagram of a knife with angled bolster and thong holeKnife with angled bolster and thong hole
  • Diagram of a knife without a bolsterKnife with different pin pattern and no bolster
  • Knife with different pin pattern and straight bolster

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