[Opaul]

Hey guys. I retired a few years ago and have been making knives part time. Here is some of my work that have since found new homes. Hope you like them.

 

[black squirrel]

Wow those look like some nice blades you've made there.
I mean wow ...really...very nice!!!

 

[Gun Guy]

How does your average person get into crafting knives or other blades? Make friends with a blacksmith (or pay one)?

 

[PaulWVa]

Wow! ... the man has skills! As a life long knife junkie, but have never made one, I can really appreciate your work. I can put a good edge on a knife and have a pretty good size collection but wish I had your talent to make my own.

Really well done sir ... :bow:

 

[Opaul]

Thanks for the comments! Knife making has been on the back of my mind since the 80's. It wasn't until I retired that I was able to make it happen.

 

[Opaul]

How does your average person get into crafting knives or other blades? Make friends with a blacksmith (or pay one)?

I guess it depends. Walter Sorrells has a you tube channel that explains a lot of knife making using minimum tools.

I started using a 4" hand held grinder and a belt sander. Then I purchased a small 1" belt grinder.
Then I progressed a 2x72 knife grinder and was able to put together really nice equipment. I do my own heat treating using an Evenheat knife kiln. I use mostly high carbon steel - 10xx series but have been making a few SS knives as well. I'll post some of those up as well.

 

[JamesPettigrew]

Nice! Damascus Steel? Reminds me of a mid-late 19th century Austrian double barrel shotgun that I have in Damascus steel.

 

[Opaul]

This is a stainless billet I purchased from Vegas forge - the blade is stock removal which is the majority of what I do. Both images are SS damascus.


Here is one in progress, another SS billet from Vegas forge and stock removal.

 

[Opaul]

Here a few that were forged along with a Bowie (non forged) that I was especially pleased with.

 

[Papa Sig]

Beautiful work Opaul!

 

[longbow98]

I'm a knife guy; had 7 or 8 Randalls, many old Pumas and several full customs before I started giving them away, and yours are equal to any as far as beauty is concerned. Very, very fine work!

 

[black squirrel]

....darn I want a few of those

the second to last would look good in the custom farmhouse kitchen I'm about to build for My wife....
It reminds me of an 8" chefs knife...looks easy to keep sharp
I've been busting out some great impromptu recipes lately, a good knife makes it fun...

 

[M1911A1Hawkeyes]

Nice.

 

[woody b]

Great looking knives. I've got a 1st cousin that also makes knives here in NC.

 

[JamesPettigrew]

Seriously. Those are beautiful.

 

[wcoyne]

Those are all really nice but I like the second knife a lot

 

[Sunmoon]

Those are really nice. I can imagine a tremendous of efforts are involved. Am really happy for OP for his retirement but also admire him of making it happen.

 

[ifithitu]

Nice collection.

 

[tahmail]