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Man, that's a real knockout!

Aren't the Internet and KDF wonderful resources! As recently as 20-25 years ago the only way to get help from such skilled craftsmen was to visit their shop, call them on the phone, or read a book or magazine article they had written. All this took time and travel. Thanks to KDF, ideas, photos...

I'm still very much a newbie, only adding scales to purchased blades at this point, and I've just bought the tools to begin making sheaths. So much to learn. I'm hoping someone here has done a step-by-step or a video showing how some of the first-class makers on KDF get such precise, beautiful...

I'm a newbie, so can you tell me about the "spine" that runs down the center of the blade, from bolster to tip? It appears the blade is ground slightly concave on both sides of that "spine." Is there a name for that style? Looks really nice and I bet I'd fall in love if I held it.

I can't believe how pure and white that walrus ivory is. Really nice knife.

Your brother will treasure it, Otto. Only thing I'd change is that "hump" on the spine just ahead of the scales. When I use a knife like this, I almost always hold it with my index finger stretched along the spine, which gives me the best control and feel. That hump isn't going to feel right, at...

I agree with Dennis. I've had many, many people ask variations of this question. My advice almost always is "Smile and say thank you." When I tip someone unexpectedly or make a gift of something to someone out of the blue, the worst thing is for them to almost insist on giving it back. All they...

As a kid, I wasn't particularly wise, but I was lucky to have my dad and two nearby grandfathers who were constantly trying to teach me good life lessons. At some point, Dad was talking me through some point involving safety and I looked at him and said, "Y'know, Dad, you've gotta be thinking...

I'm afraid I don't have your answer, Sean, but I'm gonna be following this thread closely because I've had problems very similar to this. Someone will have the right answer.

I was commissioned in '74, just a little late for Nam. Had an uncle six years older who was killed near Khe Sanh serving as a medic with a USMC outfit. The vet is gonna absolutely love this knife.

I'm a newbie myself, Otto, so I'll make an observation very different from these experienced guys. I'm a deer hunter, which probably explains my preference for drop point blades and skinners. I'm skinning whitetail deer, not bison, so I don't grip my knives like a hatchet, making long, powerful...

Man, that black and blue guard is beautiful. Don't know I would have thought of that, but it's striking. And maple burl is a huge favorite of mine. Really, really nice.

Absolutely gorgeous, OP. Two questions: 1) What's the wood section? 2) What kind of finish do you use, and is the goal for the leather to remain a little "grippy," or do you use a finish that makes the surface hard, almost like wood scales?

I like a knife that just shouts "Use me!" and this one does. Looks to me like you didn't finish the scales out to a high shine, am I seeing that right? Makes total sense on a working knife with a bolster that's flush to the scales. Or am I reading this incorrectly?

I've been a meat smoker for quite a while, and mesquite is my go to wood for beef, period. Hickory for pork, and cherry for a little milder smoke. If it's for my own consumption, I'll sometimes use mesquite for smoking a whole chicken, but it's easy to overdo it.

Gorgeous knife, John. Couple of questions if you have time: 1) Are the liners made from three separate pieces or were they bonded as bought? G10 or something else? 2) You may not have time to explain, but I'm a newbie and wondering when a maker uses two materials for the scales, how do you get...

The experienced craftsmen here likely won't be interested, but as a newbie, I'd love to know your process for getting this blade look, Bobby. Can you go into it, or point me to a YouTube? I've done one kitchen knife, a paring knife for one of my daughters, and I think I may lean that way in the...

Next to small drop point skinners, the bird and trout is my favorite blade. This one is absolutely beautiful. Great knife!

Your photos are very helpful to this newbie, OP, thank you. Can you tell me a little more about the photo where you're sanding. It looks like a tapered piece of substantial wood you have clamped into your bench vise, which then gives you a freestanding spot to clamp your blade for sanding. Is...

Yeah, I'm a word guy and have a thing for alliteration. This is my latest project, putting maple burl scales on a Damascus blank. Can't remember where I got the blank, but I'm hoping it isn't the kind you can clamp in a vice and easily bend 90 degrees without it breaking (for those who saw the...