The Pros and Cons of Recycled Steel
Article written by: David Grinter At one time in Australia, mild and recycled steels were all you could easily source. If you wanted a steel that was heat-treatable and forgeable, chainsaw bars, leaf and coil springs, axles and hydraulic rods, large bearing races, old files (known as OF) and railway spikes were the go-to. If you...
How to pick Colours and Material Combinations
Article written by: Skye Eilers of Skye Eilers Knives | Facebook: Skye Eilers Kives | Instagram: @skye.eilers Colours and material combinations are important for the function and look of a knife. What colours will make it eye-catching? What materials are suitable? Will these bolsters clash or compliment my scales? These are all questions that inform design. So, how do we make the “right” choices? First off, aesthetics are subjective. What you like may not appeal to everyone, and what others make may not appeal to you. The aesthetics...
Essential Tools For the Beginner Knife Maker
Article written by: David Grinter Essential Tools For the Beginner Knife Maker Whenever you ask this question, you are liable to get an answer of anything from files right up to a power hammer – good stuff, but the word here is beginner. The best way to start out in knife making is known as the stock removal...
Handling Failure, Setbacks and Not Feeling Good Enough
Article written by: Skye Eilers of Skye Eilers Knives | Facebook: Skye Eilers Kives | Instagram: @skye.eilers Failures and setbacks are the bane of any craftsperson’s existence. Couple that with the feeling that you’re not good enough, that your skills aren’t progressing as fast as you’d like, that niggling thought that you might never get there... It’s a...
Workshop Safety 101
Article written by: David Grinter If there is one thing you should know thoroughly before you heat or grind your first workpiece, it’s safety. Your equipment, shop layout and work practices should all be designed with safety at the forefront. Making a conscious effort to remain safe might just save your life. Safety Blacksmithing and knife making can...
Dovetailed Laminate Handles
Article written by: Skye Eilers of Skye Eilers Knives | Facebook: Skye Eilers Kives | Instagram: @skye.eilers This article demonstrates how I make “dovetailed” laminate handles. This is my Kingmaker design - G10 scales, brass bolsters, and brass and G10 spacers. The fitment is angled, providing the illusion of curved spacers when the...
Why our steel is cut by waterjet and bandsaw
At Gameco Artisan Supplies, unless noted otherwise all of our steel bars and blanks are either waterjet cut or saw cut. Compared to the other methods available to cut steel into bars or blanks like laser, shear, or plasma; bandsaw and waterjet cutting gives us the most desirable results. Waterjet cutting advantages: No heat affected zone –...
Your Guide to Knife Templates
Knifemaking is a tradition that dates back to the beginning of humans, they are arguably our first tool and as such have had thousands of years of design put into them. Due to this many say there is nothing new under the sun when it comes to knife design. The positive to this is that...
Knife Anatomy
Knifemaking is a tradition that dates back to the beginning of humans, they are arguably our first tool and as such have had thousands of years of design put into them. Due to this many say there is nothing new under the sun when it comes to knife design. The positive to this is that...
