How long have you made knives?

I started playing with metal in 92, The first ordered knife was in 1994 and since then over 1670 knives made.

What kind of steel do you use?

 Now I prefer to use my own San Mai Stainless Damascus. Using CPM S90V stainless steel core, or CPM 3V carbon steel core

What is San Mai Stainless Damascus?

San Mai is a Japanese term meaning three layers, referring to a hard layer of steel sandwiched between two softer layers of steel. . if it is Damascus the soft layers are made up of many layers.

Is San Mai Damascus steel better?

Yes, it adds toughness to the hard and more brittle core steel, allowing a thinner cross section with out weakening the integrity of the core steel, it also adds a higher Stain resistance. The Damascus also has a one of a kind wood grained appearance.

Where do you get San Mai Stainless Damascus?

 I am making it myself with the help of a forge, a hydraulic press, and a rolling mill. I am able to make any custom size blade using any type of steel. I usually make it out of a 154-CM core and 120 laminations of 304 and 410 low and medium carbon stainless steels.

What kind of handle materials do you use?

I use all kinds of stable materials, semi-precious stone, exotic woods, bone, horn, antler, leather, G10, Micartac but my new favourite is my Carbon Fibre wrapped handle.

What is a Carbon Fibre Wrapped Handle?

Carbon Fibre is a very strong, light, and expensive composite. Made up of carbon graphite woven strands and epoxy. It is the best handle material I have found, it can withstand the most abuse is very light, has a great grip, is very stable, impermeable to moister. Can be finished with a high polish smooth coat, a textured dry finish or a matt bead blasted finish. The handle construction is made of a piece of KD Eastern Maple wood, hand carved over a through tang, fixed between an integral bolster and pummel. Then several layers of the Carbon Fibre is wrapped around the wood core soaked in a high UV Epoxy.

How long does it take to make a knife?

Depends on the knife but for a San Mai Chef knife it take me a week to make the steel to the finished knife

1 Forge and fold the San Mai Stainless Damascus 121 laminations

2 Cut out profile, do a rough grind. Heat treat, harden and triple temper.

3 Hand Grind and polish the blade, acid etch the Damascus.

4 Fix wood core and carve to desired handle shape . Apply Carbon Fibre and Epoxy.

5 Complete handle to the desired finish, Sharpen, Number and name, leather sleeve. Photograph.

Will it stay sharp and how do I sharpen it?

The steels I use have excellent edge retention, depending on the usage it will need a hone or and a sharpen. With a little skill and practice sharpening with a stone and a honing lap will bring you back to a razor sharp edge. I also sharpen any Cosmo knife free of charge as long as I am able.