I became interested in making knives in December of 2001. I saw a "Damascus" knife on the Internet and wondered how they did it. I searched and read everything I could find on the web, bought some books, and bought a video. I figured I could do it too.

Well that started the "sickness." Fellow knife makers will understand that I mean. Knife making becomes an obsession, especially when making "Damascus" steel.

I started out differently than most makers. I jumped right into making "Damascus". Most blade smiths start by making kit knives, then progress to the stock removal method, then forging, and then finally "Damascus" steel. "Damascus", as we like to call it is technically called "pattern welding". See my knife info section for a better description of pattern welding.

My knives are made from C1095, 15N20, and the option of pure nickel. 1095 and 15N20 are both high carbon hardenable steels. Pure nickel does not harden, but gives incredible contrast to 1095. Pure nickel is best used for knife "cores" or in display knives that will not see actual use.

I do all my own heat treating and tempering in my shop. I use computer controlled molten salt heat treating equipment and an oil quench. Depending on the end use of the blade I may quench up to three times. I may also temper the blade up to three times. Final hardness of my knives is around 58 to 59 HRC.

I am dedicated to producing the best quality "Damascus" that I can. Knife making is a never ending learning curve. One person will never know it all. But with time and commitment, I hope to be known as "one of the best."