Journal

Let’s talk about grinders! The centerpiece of a knife shop is the grinder. We would like to think it is the anvil but most time is spent grinding and polishing. Who knows why the industry standard has become the 2”x72” abrasive belt, it’s probably a combination of brand popularity, abrasive availability, and happenstance but here we are. When I was starting knifemaking I used tools that I already had from woodworking. My 6”x36” bench tip belt sander from Ryobi was already one of my most used tools so I instinctively went to it for knife grinding. The main problem I...

This past weekend was the Hammer-in to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Central Virginia Blacksmith Guild. As a member of the guild I try to be involved as much as possible but with our class and show schedule, I often miss the meetings. In this case, I was very excited to be invited to demonstrate at the bladesmithing tent along with Matthew Parkinson and Burt Foster. It got even better when we found out that Ben Abbot was available to round out the demonstrations to two teams.  The weather had been very nice before the event but unfortunately turned...

What Is Honing? Honing a knife is the act of realigning the edge of a blade. It sharpens the knife without removing any material. This process is the last part of the sharpening process which refines the cutting edge.  Honing is best done on a steel rod or leather strop and there are many different options out there that can be used for this purpose. It’s important to note, honing a knife is not the same thing as sharpening a knife on a stone or sharpening jig. The cutting edge of a knife is actually a microscopic burr. The steel...

Folding pocket knives are by far the most popular style of blade for everyday carry. They’re compact, indiscreet, and mass-marketed in a way that makes them hard to ignore. However, they come with some drawbacks that are worth paying attention to.  For example, moving parts break. Folders can be slow to open in a stressful situation and they lack the strength and durability found in other types of knives. Our FieldMates offer a viable alternative- compact and light, they’re perfect for everyday carry and have some distinct benefits over the traditional folding knife. Below you’ll find 5 reasons to consider...