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Just out of curiosity, how bad of a smell does curing the gun-kote create? Just wondering if my wife would kill me if I cured it in the kitchen oven?

I started with a 2x42 and used it for about 2 1/2 years before I broke down and bought a 2x72. It is really fast. You have to use light pressure when grinding to make sure you don't burn anything (including steel!). I mainly used the 2x42 to remove the bulk of the material, then used files...

Even though 2020 was a miserable year, I feel like I made a lot of progress as a bladesmith this year. Here are what I think were my best from this year:

I really like that. I haven't tried doing that type of handle construction yet.

Some of you may remember me posting about getting bit stuck in block of ironwood. Here was my solution: My first mortise tang knife! Had been wanting to try one for a while. I actually really like the results. This handle should be indestructible. Desert Ironwood Hunter. 1075 4 3/4" blade...

I'm probably a gluten for punishment, but I punch the top layer to give me my starter hole, then drill the rest of the way through. This is after gluing, sanding the layers even, and putting a stitching groove on the top side. I tried using a stitching wheel, but found I like having the...

I've started making these Blacksmith Crosses for Christmas gifts. They are actually quite easy to make.

Barge also. I also have Tanner's and some Master contact cement. I primarily use the Barge, just because it's a bigger container, really. I put Vaseline on the threads to help the container stay sealed, and keep the lid from glueing to the container. I rarely use any clamps on leather. I've...

Thanks! It is. First time I had that done.

Thank you. I really liked this one. May have to do some more in this style.

Koa Commemorative Knife 1084 5 13/16" blade, 10 11/16" OAL 416SS guard Stabilized Koa handle ** Eagle Scout emblem used with the express written consent of the Boy Scouts of America**

First view of a finished set. I'll take photos later, but wanted to show this one. Came together pretty well. This is going to be a present to a young man getting his Eagle Scout next weekend. The father wanted a custom message on the sheath. **Eagle Scout emblem used with the express...

Starting a couple of new hunter designs today.

Just throwing out a suggestion I have seen some smiths do. You could do multiple twists, and forge weld them together to get the width you want. Once you get that width, you could cut slices off, kind of like a feather pattern billet. I think Jerry Fisk has a video on doing this.

Those are camo G10 scales. I generally just hand sand to 2500, and a very light buff on a buffing wheel. G10 will burn on a buffing wheel so you have to be very careful not to get it hot. I think I just used pink no scratch to buff it. Since this one, I've started using the Ultrex Suretouch...

Can't disagree with you now. This was my first experience with them. Crazy soft.

Just an update, I split the block with my bandsaw, popped the bit out, and resurfaced the blocks on my mill. Going to do a mortise tang handle with the sides. First one I've tried to do.

Lastly, and I've done this a few times, if you aren't sold on having to use Corby's, use carbon fiber pins. They are incredibly strong, and polish up completely black. Didn't see until now your comment about fiber pins.

If it was a through tang, I could make that work. However, it wasn't. I can probably salvage some of it for a frame handle if I decide to go that route on another knife. I've tried using a carbide bit in the past to try to drill out a broken tap. Carbide is great, but it's very brittle and...

This one has been a fun one to make. Really liking this one. 1084 5 7/8" blade, 10 7/8" OAL, Koa Handle, 416SS guard.