Page 174 – BLADE Magazine

Midweek Maker Forged-Style: David McConnell

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November 1, 2017

Midweek Maker Forged-Style: David McConnell

David McConnell is a stamping press repairman who hopes to convert to full-time bladesmithing soon. His first knife, was a cheap Wal-Mart special. Over the years he got frustrated with the lack of quality in such knives and began thinking about making his own. He knew he could make a better knife for himself, and he did. Only his buddy loved it so much that he bought it from him, David said, laughing.

North Woods Forge offers old-school styles of knives and tools. — David McConnell of North Woods Forge in Michigan. He forges, preferring a primitive style, using natural materials..

The self-taught bladesmith has been making knives for 11 now, including tomahawks and axes. “I like to make hunting knives and more traditional stuff,” David noted.

David McConnell of North Woods Forge used dyed and stabilize curly maple to make this bowie. — David McConnell made this bowie with an 8-inch blade of 1075 steel. The handle is blue-dyed and stabilized curly maple. Blue curly maple bowie. Guard is nickel silver. Overall length is 14 1/4 inches. Contacts listed at the bottom of this article.

He is an avid grouse and deer hunter, as well as and ice and fly fisherman. He lives in Kalkaska, Michigan, with his wife and 15-year-old son.

David McConnell of North Woods Forge helped his son Parker catch a trout at the National Trout Festival in Kalkaska, Michigan. — David McConnell started teaching his son Parker McConnell to fish early in life. The National Trout Festival, now in its 81st year, is held in April in Kalkaska, Michigan. Parker got this trout in the kid’s pond.

Best-selling knife patterns: 3 ½- to 4-inch-bladed bird-and-trout, 4- to 7-inch-bladed straight-back hunter, classic bowie
Favorite blade steels: W2 for hamon, toughness, ease of forging and grinding; 1075 for ease of forging and heat-treating
Blade grinds: flat ground, sometimes with appleseed edge
How he tests his knives: “If it can cut a nail and have no deformation or chipping and still stay shaving-sharp, I would have to say that’s a pretty good blade,” David commented.
Favorite handle materials: bone, wood, antler. “I just like the feel and warmth you get from natural materials.”
Price range: $85-$600
Knife shows he attends: local gun-and-knife shows and blacksmithing events
Member of: American Bladesmith Society
Forums he participates in: ABS
His website: www.northwoodsforge.com

David McConnell of North Woods Forge only forges his knives; he does not do stock-removal. — This 15-inch bowie has a 8 7/8-inch blade, flat-ground, appleseed-edged and forged from 1084 cable-patterned steel. The handle is made from axis deer crown antler with a brass guard and blue and white fiber spacers. Maker’s list price: $375.

Black Iron Days takes place every August in Grayling, Michigan. David McConnell goes each year to help with bladesmithing demonstrations. — Bladesmith David McConnell puts on a forging demonstration at Black Iron Days at Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, Michigan. Every August blacksmiths from all over Michigan and a few from Ohio host demonstrations for the public for the whole weekend.

This ulu was forged by David McConnell of North Woods Forge. — North Woods Forge’s ulu has a 4 1/2-inch blade forged from 1095 steel. The handle is made from whitetail antler. David McConnell loves making primitive pieces and being an avid deer hunter, he often opts for antler material.

Contact David McConnell at 989-858-6344, [email protected] or on Facebook at North Woods Forge.

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6 Knife Handles That Glow In The Dark

Erin Healy

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October 31, 2017

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There are four categories of “glow.” Bioluminescence is, say, a firefly. There’s chemiluminescence, caused by a chemical reaction—think glow stick. Radioluminescence is most frequently used in clock or watch paints and on instrument panels. Then there’s phosphorescence, frequently used in toys, or toys for grown-ups: knives, or more specifically knife handles. The old-school invisible type of glow-in-the-dark scales show white-ish in daylight. The handle might have tinges of color, but it’s essentially white. If it has been exposed to enough sunlight, it will glow in blues, purples or greens in the dark. New-school daylight glow is visible day or night and comes in variety of colors. Here are six knife handles that glow in the dark, three of each variety, perfect options for Halloween or the everyday kid in all of us.

1. A son makes glow-in-the-dark-handled knife for his dad

Randy Madan of Patriot Horde Knives made this Pig Poker for his dad, Randy, who uses it on his farm in Kentucky. This type of old-school glow will appear creamy or pasty by day and either blue-violet or green by night, provided it has absorbed some UV light, explained scalemaker, Rob Carper of Rob Carper Innovations (RCI).

This glow-in-the-dark knife handle is a hybrid by RC Innovations. — Randy Madan of Patriot Horde Knives made this 4.5-inch flat-ground blade out of 1095 steel from Aldo Bruno at New Jersey Steel Baron. The Pig Poker has an acid-washed finish and a hybrid glow-in-the-dark handle by Rob Carper of RC Innovations. The knife is 9 inches overall. Maker’s list price: $200. Contact Patriot Horde Knives, 760-885-9370, [email protected], on Facebook at Patriot Horde Knives or Jr Madan and on Instagram @the_patriot_horde.

Randy Madan made this glow-in-the-dark-handled knife for this father. — In low light this Pig Poker from The Patriot Horde Knives glows blue, provided it has absorbed enough light.

2. This GITD friction folder is pinned by a grenade pull

A rescue knife has a blunt point for two reasons, explained Denny Furey of Furey’s Urban Combat Knives – Unlimited. One, it can be used to pry with, and two, if you needed to cut someone’s seatbelt, for example, you don’t want to run the risk of sticking them with a sharp point.

The grenade pull locks the blade in the open position for secure cutting. The pin can then be stored in the attached slot on the sheath, similar to how a ferro rod might be stowed.

Denny Furey of Furey's Combat Knives - Unlimited made this blunt-tip rescue knife with grenade pull pin. — The “Resukyū” (Rescue) Friction Folder is a one-off by Denny Furey of Furey’s Urban Combat Knives – Unlimited. The 3-inch blunt-tip rescue blade is made out of O1 tool steel, as are the breacher/bottle opener and spacers. The blade and back spacer have an acid stonewashed finish. The knife measures 6.75 inches closed and 8 inches overall. The handle scales are Glow In The Dark by Voodoo Resins. The hardware, including the grenade pin lock, is stainless steel. Maker’s list price: $300 with Kydex/Holstex sheath. Contact Denny Furey, Furey’s Urban Combat Knives – Unlimited, 405-642-2198, [email protected], on Facebook at Furey’s Urban Combat Knives – Unlimited.

Furey Urban Combat Knives - Unlimited made this rescue friction folder as a one-off. — This Denny Furey friction folder handle was made by Voodoo Resins and appears green in the dark.

3. New-school daytime glow is visible day or night

Jason Batdorf of Delaney Knives makes his own glow mix, using raw materials, but one would need to be a chemist with a laboratory to actually make the glow powder.

Jason Batdorf makes his own glow mix for his wood-glow hybrid knife scales. — Jason Batdorf made this 4-inch flat-ground Delaney drop-point blade out of 1095 steel with hamon. The handle is a buckeye burl and glow hybrid made by the maker with his own glow mix. Overall length is 8 inches. Maker’s list price: $250. Contact Jason Batdorf, at Delaney Knives on Facebook or call 419-583-8238.

4. Knife named for a customer’s departed sister

Brent Vacarro of Black Widow Knifeworks & Tactical Gear designed this blade for a customer as a custom order. When Brent began receiving interest in the knife, he wanted to introduce it into his lineup. But there were two problems. “First, I had to get permission from the customer, and second, I needed a name for it,” Brent explained. He contacted the customer and asked if it would be OK if he made more of this knife model. The customer was fine with that. “Then I asked him to name the blade,” Brent continued. “This is where it becomes very special very fast. He had told me about his sister passing away when they were younger, so he had asked if we can name the blade after her. My immediate response was ‘Of course!’ So that’s where H.E.R.L comes from, her initials.”

Brent Vacarro of Black Widow Knifeworks & Tactical Gear got permission from a customer to recreate his custom order. Brent let the customer name it after his deceased sister. — Brent Vaccaro’s H.E.R.L has a 4.5-inch flat-ground blade of CPM D2, acid-washed with etched skulls. The handle is Voodoo Resins’ Dr. Strangelove (green/blue glow) with green G-10 liners. Overall length is 7 inches. Maker’s list price: $280-$350. Contact Brent Vacarro at [email protected], 908-328-2049, on Facebook at Black Widow Knifeworks & Tactical Gear and on Instagram @blackwidowknifeworks.

Dr. Strangelove is a Voodoo Resins with blue and green glow in the dark. — Dr. Strangelove scales are made by Matt Peterson at Voodoo Resins. Dimensions are 5.9 inches long by 1.85 inches wide by .300-inch thick. Makers list price: $40/set.

5. Glow-in-the-dark honeycomb pattern is echoed in leather sheath

Namen Borras echoed the honeycomb glow-in-the-dark pattern in his accompanying leather sheath for the BKD Skinner. — Namen Borras’ BKD Skinner has a flat-ground 2.5-inch blade with swedge made out of CPM S35VN with acid and stonewashed finish. The knife is 6 inches overall. The handle scales are glow-in-the-dark honeycomb with clear resin by DerangedDonkey with black G10 liners. Maker’s list price: $350 with black leather sheath with matching honeycomb pattern. Contact Namen Borras on Instagram @borraskustomdesigns, www.bkdknives.com or at [email protected].

A knife handle can be a little or lot glow-in-the-dark, in random or purposeful design. — This is how the honeycomb pattern on the above knife appears in the dark.

6. Old-school Glow Hex emits violet shade in the dark

Tyler Freund's custom folder glows violet in the dark. — Tyler Freund made this one-off custom folder with a 1.3-inch flat-ground blade of pattern-welded steel from Alabama Damascus Steel. The Glow Hex scales are by Beyond Wood Products, and are paired with titanium liners. Screws, pivot pin, pivot screw, backspacers and clip are also titanium. Overall length is 9.7 inches. Maker’s list price: $400. Contact Tyler Freund, Freund Custom Knives, 1755 Madison 541, Ironton, MO 63650; 573-366-3906, [email protected] and on Instagram @freunds_customs.

Old-school invisible scale material can glow blue, violet or green in the dark. — Tyler Freund’s one-off custom folder glows a blue-purple in the dark when it has absorbed sufficient UV light.

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If piling-up issues of magazines seems like a waste to you… If you feel like you don’t have time to read a magazine… If you like the stories we offer in BLADE, but want a more economical option, then a digital subscription is the answer. An annual subscription to BLADE is $17.98, $4 off the print price.

Bag Hot Big Blades ‘n Edges

Steve Shackleford

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October 30, 2017

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Big Blades 'n Edges — Bag Big Blades ‘n Edges in the latest issue of BLADE®—on newsstands now!

Big blades by Chris Amos — Big blades can be fun to make and Chris Amos shows you how to make a big bowie in part one of his story this issue.

Big blades from Boker Arbolito. — Big blades go hand-in-hand with Thanksgiving and turkey carving. The Boker Arbolito Carving Set is big bird ready!

Fremont big blades — A hatchet may not fit into your classic definition of big blades but it definitely can act like one, such as the Farson from Fremont Knives.

Hoffman's big blades — In the realm of big blades, kukris are large and in charge—even compact ones such as this one by Liam Hoffman.

Burns's big blades — As far as big blades go, Robert Burns’s Joe Musso Bowie is a cutting behemoth.

Big Blades ‘n Edges, including reviews of the newest factory hatchets, some of today’s top custom bowies and four top turkey carving sets, highlight the latest BLADE®, on newsstands NOW!

The latest BLADE leads off with “Big Bad Blades,” Daniel Jackson’s assessment of some of today’s hottest bowies and their makers, including Mike Quesenberry, James Huse II, Jason Fry and Robert Burns. Each has an approach to “America’s Knife” sure to stir your bowie blood. Speaking of which, if Daniel’s story makes you want to “take the next step,” check out part one of “How To Make a Bowie” by Chris Amos.

In “Chop Shop,” join Abe Elias as he takes four contemporary hatchets—the Tomahatchet cover piece, Condor Tool & Knife Greenland, Browning Outdoorsman and Fremont Knives Farson—and subjects them to a round of hacking and cutting exercises. And in “Turkey Cuts,” James Morgan Ayres not only tests a quartet of the latest factory turkey carving sets from Victorinox, Santa Fe Stoneworks, KAI Shun and Boker Arbolito, but he shows you how to prepare your bird for Thanksgiving, too!

Kim Breed tests two custom straight knives with wharncliffe blades by Ryan Sprinkle and Michael Jarvis in “Little Knives, Stout Cutters. In the latest installment of the Knives That Changed Knife History, Mike Haskew outlines how BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© members Blackie Collins and Ken Onion spearheaded the revolution in assisted-opening knives.

Speaking of history, Pat Covert examines the over six decades of making Rambo and Star Trek knives, reproducing Paul Ehlers‘ fantasy knife designs, terms as president of The Knifemakers’ Guild, holding a private audience with Elvis Presley and much more of the fascinating life of Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Gil Hibben.

There’s more, including a new breed of modern slip joints, the very first story of the very first issue of BLADE (then the American Blade), Liam Hoffman‘s compact kukri and scintillating scads of sharp stuff, all in the latest issue of BLADE.

Great Knives Have “Face”

Steve Shackleford

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October 26, 2017

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Great knives have face. I’m not talking about a face like on a Halloween mask, but a knife with a design or style that’s recognizable by a large number of knife enthusiasts as having been made first by one knifemaker and one knifemaker only.

The face, in this instance, is the unmistakable knife design or style of the maker in question.

How the term came about I’m not exactly sure but I’ve heard it from or read it written about by long-time observers of the knife scene, including BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© members Bernard Levine, Bruce Voyles and others. One explanation of face that applies here is that I may not know or remember a person’s name, but if I know his or her face I almost always instantly recognize it. The difference in the instance of knives with face is that I recognize both the knife design or style and the maker’s name.

There are at least two provisos: 1. To fully qualify as a knife with face the knife must be recognizable by a large number of knife enthusiasts. Now, there no doubt are great knives made by makers that one or a few enthusiasts may recognize as being the knives of specific makers, but the ones that really fill the bill are the ones many enthusiasts can look at and say, “Yep, that’s so-and-so’s knife.” It’s effective in terms of a conversation starter among knife enthusiasts who are friends, or as a conversation icebreaker among those who have just met. They don’t know each other but they do know great knives with face.

2. Some of the makers of knives with face have had their designs with face emulated by many others. Even so, if the knife has face those who recognize it will say that it’s in the style of the maker who originated it.

Following is a selection of great knives with face and why they qualify. Enjoy!

The Bob Loveless dropped or drop-point hunter. The Loveless drop-point hunter is one of the great knives with face on this list that meets Proviso 2 above. While it may not appear to be all that unusual, the drop-point style of the blade—where the blade tip falls below the plane of the spine—is something Loveless popularized in the 1970s and ’80s, and it remains his signature style to this day.
The Bill Moran style. Actually, as with Loveless, any number of Moran knives have face, though I’ve chosen one of my favorites: the ST-24. The flowing blade with a long clip point and ergonomically contoured dropped handle with silver wire inlay is unmistakably a Moran.
The Michael Walker style. Walker’s linerlock folder changed knives forever but he also makes models unlike anyone else. Outfitted with any number of his clever and innovative locks, each of which gives the handle a notably different look at the pivot, Walker’s knives use the latest and most exotic materials, are embellished in any number of creative and ornate ways, and usually have some of the most interesting blade shapes you’ll ever see.
The Jurgen Steinau style. When I first saw one of Jurgen Steinau’s knives, at first I wasn’t even sure I was looking at a knife. The designs, angles and materials of his knives are like something from a book on intergalactic architecture. Suffice it to say, Steinau’s great knives have face—and then some!
Jim Schmidt’s Goblin Folder. Schmidt’s Goblin Folders have face in more ways than one. Not only do they have the face of a goblin on the handle’s stag butt, but that face makes the knife unmistakable as the style originally made by Mr. Schmidt. A number of his other models have face as well.

There are others who make great knives with face. Which ones make your list?

Loveless and Schrade — 1 The Loveless dropped or drop-point hunter has face in large part because of the drop-point blade with the tip that drops below the plane of the spine. An original is shown at bottom here, with a Schrade repro at top.

Michael Walker folders — 3 Michael Walker’s spectacular folders have face for any number of reasons, from their distinctive pivots to their exotic materials, creative embellishments and standout blade shapes.

Moran ST-24 — 2 Bill Moran’s ST-24 has face thanks to the long, flowing blade and ergonomic dropped handle with silver wire inlay—not to mention his distinctive sheaths. Those who know great knives recognize the Moran style immediately.

Schmidt's Goblin Folder. — 5 Jim Schmidt’s Goblin Folder has face in more ways than one—it actually has the face of a goblin on the handle butt!

Midweek Maker Forged-Style: Tyrell Johnson

Erin Healy

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October 26, 2017

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Midweek Maker Forged-Style: Tyrell Johnson

Tyrell Johnson has always been interested in knives and firearms, and two-plus years ago he decided to take a knifemaking class at Montgomery Community College in North Carolina. “As my wife can attest, I’ve had many hobbies in my life, but knifemaking immediately struck a chord with me,” he commented. “I knew right away that this was what I was meant to do, and I’ve been making knives ever since. I eat, drink and sleep knives.” Travis Daniels, of TED Knives, has been a helpful mentor to him. Tyrell does both stock removal and forging, and especially enjoys forging brut de forges.

Tyrell Johnson is a relative newcomer to knifemaking, but he loves both forging and stock removal. His 5-year plan is to retire and devote himself full-time to knifemaking.

Tyrell currently works full time as a waste treatment plant operator, but in five years he expect to retire and focus fully on knifemaking.

• Best-selling knife patterns: drop-point hunters, kitchen and filet knives

• Preferred blade steels: W2, 1084, 1095. “I love carbon steel. It has a great history and the keeness of the edge is hard to beat,” Tyrell noted.

• Blade grinds: hollow for slicing, flat for durability

• How he tests his knives: cutting paper, shaving hair, chopping wood

• Favorite handle materials: Micarta, exotic woods, burl wood, resins—“I love working with the scales produced by J Hue Customs by Tim Kipps,” Tyrell added.

• Price range: $150-$350

• Knife shows he attends: BLADE Show

• Member of: North Carolina Custom Knifemakers Guild, American Bladesmith Society

Tyrell hand-makes all his sheaths from premium 8-ounce leather or Kydex.

Tyrell Johnson is a newcomer to the art of knifemaking, but he's committed. — This brut de forge has a 4.25-inch hollow-ground blade forged out of 1084 carbon steel. The scales are fashioned from desert ironwood. The overall length is 8.5 inches. Maker’s list price: $275 with leather sheath.
Contacts listed at the bottom of this article.

Lisa Johnson has watched her husband, Tyrell Johnson, go through many hobbies, but he loves knifemaking and is sticking with it. — Tyrell Johnson and his wife, Lisa, sneak away for some trout fishing.

Tyrell Johnson Knives' cleaver has a 6-by-3-inch blade made out of 1095 steel. — Tyrell Johnson’s cleaver has a 6-inch edge on a 3-inch wide 1095 carbon steel blade. The resin-breech wood scales were made by J. Hue Customs. The cleaver is 10.5 inches overall. Maker’s list price: $225-$250. Contacts listed at the bottom of this article.

Tyrell Johnson of Tyrell Johnson knives makes his own san mai steel. — Tyrell made some san mai steel, sandwiching 1084 with mild steel. He wanted to try out his new tire hammer.

Tyrell Johnson makes his own pattern-welded steel. — Tyrell Johnson forge-welds some cable-pattern steel in his North Carolina shop.

Tyrell made a combat knife for the North Carolina Custom Knifemakers Guild’s cutting competition last spring. The knife could not be longer than 15.5 inches overall with a maximum blade length of 10 inches. At least one visible pin had to pass through the handle, a tang was required and the knife had to have a lanyard hole with wrist lanyard and be accompanied by a sheath and zippered pouch.

Tyrell Johnson made this knife for a cutting competition. — This Tyrell Johnson Knives’ Fighter was made using 1084 steel. The knife was 15 inches overall with a 9.75-inch blade. Tyrell used ambrosia maple burl for the handle. The sheath was 8-ounce premium leather with eastern North Carolina copperhead skin inset. “I personally harvested and processed” the snakeskin, Tyrell explained. Travis Daniels taught Tyrell how to make his own sheaths.

Contact Tyrell Johnson, 252-341-4791, [email protected], on Facebook at Tyrell Johnson and on Instagram @Tyrell_Johnson_Knives

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If piling-up issues of magazines seems like a waste to you… If you feel like you don’t have time to read a magazine… If you like the stories we offer in BLADE, but want a more economical option, then a digital subscription is the answer. An annual subscription to BLADE is $17.98, $4 off the print price.

10 Pumpkin-Spiced Custom Knives Herald Halloween

Erin Healy

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October 24, 2017

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10 Pumpkin-Spiced Custom Knives Herald Halloween

It makes sense that pumpkin spice marketers would want to find ways to push a product that only got used once or twice a year in one or two pumpkin pies. Now, of course, it’s a running joke that there’s pumpkin spice in everything from dog treats to breakfast cereals. Some long for the days when only pumpkin-spiced candles and lattes accosted their sensibilities, others look forward to seasonal yogurts, beers and Oreos. While we’re in the full swing of fall, deer season and stocking up on pumpkin spice M&Ms for Halloween, why shouldn’t we celebrate pumpkin-spiced custom knives?

The pumpkin in this knife’s G10 handle is tempered with black, but you’ll still be able to find it if you drop it in the leaves while dressing a deer.

Alex Smith offers the APEX with orange and black G10 scales. — This APEX has a 3 7/8-inch freehand flat-ground blade made of D2 steel with a darkened stonewashed finish. The handle is made with Fluted Orange/Black G10. Maker’s list price: $230 including handmade cross-draw leather sheath and free sharpening for life. Contact Alex Smith, Smith & Sons Knife Co., 874 N. Beglis Pkwy, Sulphur, LA 70663; 337-527-6468, [email protected], on Facebook: at Smith & Sons Knife Company, on Instagram @smith_and_sons_knives and on Twitter @SmithnSonsKnfCo.

2. Go bold! There’s no need to hide your love of spicy pumpkin with this mini skinner or everyday carry knife.

The Critter Harpoon is the most popular model made at Screech Owl Knives. — The Critter Harpoon works as either an everyday carry or small skinner. It has a 3-inch flat-ground blade made of CPM 154 steel with a bright satin finish. The Orange G10 handle has black liners. Overall length is 6.75 inches. Maker’s list price: $360 including sheath made in-house. Contact Daniel Pica at 919-542-2335, [email protected], www.screechowlknives.com and on Facebook at Screech Owl Knives.

3. The pumpkin in this handle is subdued by the black in scales made by 8th Dimension Concepts.

This black and orange knife by Patriot Horde Knives sport scary scales by 8th Dimension Concepts. — This piece by Randy Madan has a 4.5-inch flat-ground blade made out of 1095 steel by Aldo Bruno at New Jersey Steel Baron. The overall length is 9 inches. The scales were created by 8th Dimension Concepts. Flat grind. Maker’s list price: $200-plus. Randy Madan, Patriot Horde Knives at 760-885-9370, [email protected], on Facebook at Patriot Horde Knives.

4. The striking contrast in this pumpkin and maple handle was created by Tim Kipps of J. Hue Customs. He calls it Magma color. By whatever name, it’s smashing.

This Bushie by Bill Dudek pairs maple burl in a flame-y Magma color casting. — This Bushie by U.S. Air Force veteran Bill Dudek has a 4.5-inch Scandi-ground blade made of 1095 carbon steel with a satin finish. The handle was fashioned from a Deadwood blank that Tim Kipps of J. Hue Customs made by clear-casting stabilized maple burl in his Magma color. Overall length is 9.5 inches. Maker’s list price: $150. Contact Bill Dudek, A Better Edge, 845-430-3406, [email protected].

5. A pop of pumpkin is all that’s needed on this handle scale made by Voodoo Resins.

The Carnage by Brent Vacarro at Black Widow Knifeworks & Tactical Gear sports a handle made from a Black Honeycomb and Orange block made by Voodoo Resins. — The Carnage tanto has a 4-inch flat-ground blade of CPM S30V steel, stone-washed with a Black Widow etch. Overall length is 8 inches. The handle is a Voodoo Resins Black Honeycomb and Orange resin. Maker’s list price: $380-$400. Contact Brent Vaccaro at [email protected], 908-328-2049, on Facebook at Black Widow Knifeworks & Tactical Gear and on Instagram @blackwidowknifeworks.

6. Pumpkin is just one of the orangey colors in Beyond Wood Products’ Firey Labyrinth scales.

Tyler Freund includes a 100% caiman tail sheath with The Cruiser. — The Cruiser has a 3.25-inch blade of satin-finished Elmax steel. It has a compound, hollow ground with a flat-ground tip and swedge. The scales are Beyond Wood Products’ Fiery Labyrinth. Fittings are removable and stainless steel for easy cleaning. Overall length: 9.75 inches. Maker’s list price: $275 with caiman tail pancake sheath. Contact Tyler Freund. Freund’s Custom Knives, 1755 Madison 541, Ironton, MO 63650; 573-366-3906, [email protected] and on Instagram @freunds_customs.

7. Buckeye burl was used by the maker to create this natural-shaded pumpkin, green and maroon handle.

Jason Batdorf of Delaney Knives makes his own handle materials. — Jason Batdorf made this Delaney drop-point with a 4-inch flat-ground blade of 1095 steel with hamon. The maker-made handle is stabilized and died buckeye burl. Overall length is 8 inches. Maker’s list price: $250. Contact Jason Batdorf, Delaney Knives, 419-583-7238 and on Facebook at Delaney Knives.

8. It’s a spice; not a whole meal!

Bobby Toerck of T4 Custom Knives made this skinner with 416-layered steel from Alabama Damascus Steel. — Bobby Toerck’s drop-point skinner has a 4.5-inch flat-ground blade of pattern-welded steel from Alabama Damascus Steel. The handle is made of bastogne walnut and spalted curly maple by Terry Dunn with black and orange G10 spacers. Overall length is 10 inches. Maker’s list price: $500. Contact Bobby Toerck at T4 Custom Knives, 903-812-1173, [email protected] and on Facebook at T4 Custom Knives.

9. Pumpkin is an ideal accent for black in this combined G10 handle.

Devin Bliss crafted this modified boar skinner using a full-tang construction method. — Devin Bliss’ modified boar skinner has a 4.25-inch hollow-ground blade of S35VN steel. The overall length is 9.25 inches. The bolster and pins are 416 stainless steel. The handle is Orange and Black G10. Maker’s list price: $500 with Kydex sheath. Contact Devin Bliss at DB Custom Knives, 903-769-2051 [email protected] and on Facebook at DB Custom Knives.

10. Who says a spice can’t be the whole meal?

Jason Wilder at Wilder Forge used Orange G10 scales to make this Micro Cutlass' handle. — Jason Wilder’s Micro Cutlass has a 2.75-inch flat-ground blade made out of 52100 steel with a textured finish. The handle scales are Orange G10 with carbon fiber fittings. The overall length is 6.75 inches. Maker’s list price: $150. Contact Jason Wilder 254-243-0338, [email protected], www.wilderforgeknives.com and on Facebook at Wilder Forge.

A Digital Subscription To BLADE Is The Answer

If piling-up issues of magazines seems like a waste to you… If you feel like you don’t have time to read a magazine… If you like the stories we offer in BLADE, but want a more economical option, then a digital subscription is the answer. An annual subscription to BLADE is $17.98, $4 off the print price.

Midweek Maker Forged-Style: Mike MacInnes

Erin Healy

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October 18, 2017

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Midweek Maker Forged-Style: Mike MacInnes

Mike MacInnes of Holland, Michigan, remembers his first two knives, both given to him by his dad. The first was a Buck 110 clone and the second was a Solingen hunting knife. Mike has been involved with black powder rifle hunting and gunsmithing all his life.

Mike MacInnes is a part-time bladesmith who forges his knives. — Mike MacInnes is a part-time bladesmith. He only makes, and therefore sells, the kinds of knives he likes to make, one of the joys of keeping making as a hobby while he holds on to his day job as a vending route supervisor in Michigan.

In 2012 he wanted to donate a knife for an auction to benefit the Michigan State Muzzle Loading Association. He called his friend Al Englsman and asked if he would help him make a Scagel-style knife. He enjoyed making the first one so much it lead to others. He advanced quickly, probably because his work on rifles aided his craftsmanship.

Betty is owned by Mike MacInnis, a Michigan knifemaker. — Betty is a mountain cur, dogs specifically bred to trail and tree small game or hunt and bay larger quarry.

Mike had met Al, who is a breeder of Mountain Cur, when he went to buy his squirrel-hunting dog, Betty.

Bladesmith Mike MacInnis and his wife, Erin, have two children. — Mike MacInnes and his wife, Erin, sometimes get out to Holland State Park in Holland, Michigan. The lighthouse in the background is called Big Red.

Mike is a route supervisor for a vending machine company by day, but loves his hobby. He only sells what he likes to make. He’s grateful for the influences of Bill Binky growing up, Marv Palmer and Joe Valentin. He lives near Lake Michigan with his wife, Erin, and their two children.

Best-selling knife patterns: full-tang hunter with 3- to 4-inch blade; hidden-tang drop-point hunter with 4- to 5-inch blade
Favorite blade steels: 1080; 5160
Blade grind: full flat
How he tests his knives: slice paper, shave hair, cut phone books, chop wood
Favorite handle materials: Michigan native maple, walnut, ironwood, ash
Price range: $175 to $450
Knife shows he attends: Badger Knife Club Knife Show
Facebook Groups he participates in: The Real Knife Makers of America, Knife Gods, Blade Smithing World

This 4 ¾-inch drop-point hunter was forged from 1080 steel. Handle is made of oak burl with black fiberboard liners. Overall length is 8 ½ inches. Pins are brass. Price is $175-$450.

Mike’s isn’t taking any more orders until he catches up on the orders he’s taken and finishes knives for upcoming shows. Follow him on Facebook though for updates on peeks at works-in-progress and finished pieces.

Mike MacInnes made this hunting knife using 1080 carbon steel with a bocote wood handle. — This hunter has a 3.25-inch blade forged from 1080 carbon steel. Its handle scales are made from bocote wood. The pins are brass. Maker’s list price: $185. Contacts listed at the bottom of this article.

Mike MacInnes used beautiful walnut harvested in his native Michigan to make the handles for this knife. — This Mike MacInnes piece was forged from 1080 carbon steel. The blade is 4 inches long with an overall length of 8.25 inches. “The handle is made of some of the nicest walnut that was even harvested here in Michigan,” Mike declared. The shape of the handle is a little thicker in the butt than he normally makes, but it felt so good he will probably do more in that style. The guard was forged from 416 stainless steel with a matching pin. The sheath was hand-stitched and -tooled by Mike. Maker’s list price: $350. Contacts listed at the bottom of this article.

Contact Mike MacInnes at [email protected], 616-405-8759, at MacInnes Knives & Forge on Facebook or on Instagram @macinnesmike.

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