I have a strong energy to produce things, I wrote books, I built wooden cabins, I built a big greenhouse out of wood and plastic windows, I crafted motorcycle parts out of carbon fiber. I feel this creative urge to try myself out and afterwards hold something in my hands that was the best I could do.
My job is focused on virtual things and awesome people, but I also have to built things that I could hold in my hand. Work with materials to form them into something new. Express myself and enjoy the process of making. Watch things emerge into something I was not able to imagine before.
This is why I came to knife making. Taking steel, wood and other materials and combine them into something useful and beautiful.
I don’t want to rush things because I fear to loose the love for what I am doing. Every knife I make is unique and a part of me and I always try something new I did not do before. I want to craft something that lasts, something special and so valuable to someone that it is given from a father to his sons. A piece of art that has a practical use, a companion that accompanies you on your adventures.
My personal knives touch
I like the forms and styles that have a character. I like designs that are remembered. I like unique blade designs that give new opportunities. I am still developing my own personal style but some things drive me when designing a new knife.
The blades
Even the most meticulously made blades I make should be practical to use and durable. I am not making “Show-Only” knives that only look good hanging at the wall. I like recurved designs and blades with lots of character. I like doing crossover designs that combine two well-known styles into something new or combine old and modern styles. I like the blade to have a weight and when in doubt I tend to use thicker steel. Currently, I am addicted to carbon steel and love the knives getting character and develop a patina, a personality. I love tools and knives that have to be cared for like a gun, cleaned and oiled. It is like getting into a relationship with a knife as a companion.
The handles
The handles must feel ergonomic and comfy in the owner’s hand. Soft to the touch but robust hand tough when in heavy use. But he still should feel the knife, the weight and the capabilities of the blade. I want the handle to give a level of safety and confidence to the owner. The form should always serve a purpose. The thick heels of many of my knife handles give a good feeling that you have a secure grip while hacking with the blade or doing pulling cuts. Finger guards save the owner from slipping into the sharp edge. The form even should provide good handling when just picking the knife up with two fingers.
The sheaths
What applies to blades and handles also applies to the sheaths. They serve a purpose and that is a practical one. They are not only for show, but they should also be practical. They should protect the owner from cutting himself and most of all should be perfect for carrying the knife. I also like to go new ways of designing my sheaths to suit my knife designs perfectly. I like using thicker leather to have a robust product with years and years of use for the owner. I treat the sheaths with dye and a leather fat normally used for outdoor boots to protect the leather.
Why Simply Knives
It is not Just Knives as I might do other things out of steel too.
It is not Simple Knives because I want to make complex and awesome things.
But I love the process of something simply emerging and enjoy the process of making in contrast to my extremely complicated job work.