my new blade

[tomh]

I just got back from spending four days in Great Falls Montana learning how to make knives with ABS Master Smith Ed Caffrey. All I can say is that it was a great experience in every way. Ed is a great guy, and a great and patient teacher.

He started me out in his forging shop on the first day, showing me how to forge full tang and hidden tang blades, then turned me loose to try it, while he stood by to answer questions or head off problems before they got too far out of hand. I forged 3 blades, then annealed them so we would have something to work on the next day.

Day 2 was spent grinding off scale, rough grinding the blades to shape, then hardening and tempering in preparation for Day 3 finish grinding and handle construction.

Day 4 was spent finishing the handle on my knife, forging one more blank, and picking Ed's brain and looking at a lot of his tools and unfinished knife blanks.

I have to say I am more than impressed by Ed Caffrey. Not only does he make great knives, he was very willing to share his knowledge and experience with me. He pushes when needed, and lays back as well.

I will shut up now about Ed, but if anyone wants to know more specifics, just ask.

Now I just have to start acquiring a little more equipment so I can finish the rest of my blades. I have one ready in about every stage.

The finished knife is 1084 steel, nickel silver guard, and the handle is stabilized spalted birch.

I would say I did most of the work myself, but Ed did save my bacon more than once, or this knife would not have turned out nearly so nice.

 


 

I have been wanting to make knives forever, and all I can say is I am hooked! Now I just have to get some leather and tools to make me a sheath so I can take this thing hunting this year!!! I will try to update this post when I get a decent sheath finished.

Thanks Ed!

[Lin Rhea]

Tom,
     You are now on the long list of folks who owe Ed and it includes me too. Thanks for showing us your finished product. It really does look great.
                              Lin

[dave hiltz]

that came out really great, if that is your first I can not wait to se the second and third.

[Lewis Brookshire III]

NICE!!

[brettlandon]

Beautiful!    

-Brett

[Montauks]

Very nice, must have been a great experience.

[Doug Campbell]

Very nice Tom, looks like your hooked for sure and great getting started with somebody like Ed, just can't go wrong there. Gotta get up and see his shop sometime...

[catfishon]

great work

[Hood]

Wow! That's awesome!

[tomh]

Thanks for the nice words guys. I can't say enough nice things about Ed Caffrey. He was intent on me having a good learning experience, and when it started looking like a nice knife might be getting birthed, he stayed on my back to make sure it was going to come out right.    

I can say that my time in the shop of a Master Bladesmith was very well spent and one of the most enjoyable times of my life. Watching Ed create his knives, effortlessly, was a real treat. Equally impressive was his desire for my knife to be a success.      

I hope it does not sound like I am gushing, but I am floating on a cloud, and my head is spinning with ideas to be able to finance and finagle the things I need to continue this path.    

[OconeeDan]

What a nice looking knife, and looks like you have found a friend as well.
Dan

[Izzy]

Beautiful.What is the wood?

[tomh]

Herk, the wood is stabilized spalted birch from the Caffrey family homestead.