Back to this with a new one

Over the past months I have neglected this blog, having nearly forgotten about it I'm back intending to stay. I haven't stopped making or pursuing traditional craft.

Over the next few weeks I intend to backlog some of the things that have come out of my shop.

 

Now that I've said that here is my latest piece, and integral bolster knife inspired by Hloh and Petr Florianek. Made of shear steel with antler and mahogany.

Petr Florianek- http://gullinburstiblog.blogspot.cz/

 

Hloh- http://knivesbyhloh.blogspot.com/

Toolmaker

One of my favorite things about blacksmithing is the fact that using steel to shape steel gives the ability to make tools. There is something immensely satisfying about using a handmade tool especially if it is a tool that you have made yourself.

Here are a couple bowl carving tool fresh from the shop, a bowl adze and a dog leg gouge.

and just for good measure a nessmuk style knife I just finished.

trade style knife and how things come together

Here is a new one in the style of fur trade era trade knives.

Some projects you go into with a set design laid out, and you know just what you want at the end. Other times you just start with no idea and just go wild, and there's no telling what you'll end up with. My favorite are the projects you start with a general idea and let the design flow within that idea, it frees up the design process to work freely within your general set idea. its like the difference between deciding to paint a picture and deciding to paint a picture of the ocean, you haven't limited your creativity you've just directed it.

Christmas Presents

        Four just finished, heading out the door tomorrow for Christmas presents. As one batch goes out the door it's time to gear up to start all over again and make something new and better, always putting to use the lessons learned on the previous projects.
        The journey of craftsmanship is one of learning, ever improving on the last piece. For if you don't learn and improve from the experience of the work you have settled into nothing more than mere manufacturing.
        God bless, as you walk the road of craftsmanship.

the Jourmey

Craftsmanship is a journey down many paths and alongside many fellow travelers. You share stories and traveling tales as you meet new faces chasing the elusive goal of the journey.
     I follow many paths of craftsmanship woodworking, blacksmithing, bladesmithing, leather work, rope work, and anything else that comes my way.

 

 

the toolbox is the centerpiece of the craftsman's workshop, it protects his tools it keeps them where he can readily access them. Down the path I travel on never knowing what new way or person is around the next bend in the road.