Have a Cool Yule and a merry Christmas

Eat too much and enjoy friends and family this season.   See y'all in the spring!

Knives getting ready to go to their new homes

Been getting ready for winter.

There has been a plethora of projects that has been taking up my time.  Only a few have been involving the forge.   There has been a lot of clean up of accumulated debris.  Three pick up loads have made it to the dump. 

 There has been progress made on the small foundry project.  The burner parts have all arrived and are awaiting finishing touches.  Crucible tongs are on the agenda along with making some green sand forms for upcoming projects.  There is a pile of knives awaiting handles and sheaths.  

Shingles for the roof on the sauna have been located and are awaiting p/u.  I'm hoping to get that done before the snow falls. 

The girls enjoying soft grass and some shade on a hot day

 There is a four wheeler that I'm waiting for the  paperwork on and once it's in my possession then there is a couple of days of changing fluids and repair to get it ready for winter and snowplow duty. 

A throwing axe ready for delivery

An Arkansas toothpick in progress.  It may be going to live in Texas.

Enjoy the weekend!!

It was a particularly lovely day today so I sat out and enjoyed a pipe and a tasty beverage while I watched the sun go down.

A chef knife and matching paring knife. 1095 steel with snakewood handles

I got a big order completed so it was a good to time to relax.  

This is the last weekend for the Moose lake show til next spring.  I have a few show upcoming this fall and I'll keep y'all posted on that.

Fun with handles July 2018

These are all going to the same person.

I've going through epoxy and handle material like nobody's business.  The problem with making mass quantities of blades is that they

will then need handles.  It's not my favorite part of the process but it is a critical one.  The knife/human interface can make or break a knife.  A great blade with an ill fitted or uncomfortable handle is an unpleasant experience at best.

Camo G10 scales for this little paring knife

My new EDC blade.  1095 with black,tan and white G10 with a red spacer.

This is one of the first blades to get Mr Chad's new maker's mark.

I think I'd like a brighter more bold red if I was to do this again

Some random summer flowers around the farm.

I haven't been a total slacker since the last post

A customers damascus skinner with snakewood scales

A little skinner with G10 scales

Some strikers ready for sale

BIG NEWS!!!! Tune into Forged in Fire this Tuesday June 19th 2018 to see Chad doing his thing on national TV

Big Chad who was my apprentice is going to be appearing on the season 5 episode 16 titled Bagh Nakh
Since the filming Chad has got his own maker's mark and has been turning out quality blades of his own.  We work together whenever we get the chance. He was over to shop yesterday for several hours. We are planning on doing alot more damascus blade collaboration.

Chad's maker's mark

I've updated the past works gallery

I've updated the past works gallery so our more recent work is easier to find.

We've been busy in the shop 06/18

I've been trying to get the hang of doing hamons.  I think I'm finally getting some where.   I have another half dozen blades the are awaiting a trip the acid bath.

Some recently completed damascus blades

Blades that are in various states of doneness

Playing around with some old farriers rasps

Rasp knife with paracord handle

Successful chop test. I could still shave the hair on my arm when I finished chopping.

Sashimi Blade MK I no mod

A little survival knife that fits in a BDU cargo pocket.  It's for my own use and I needed more practice doing hamons

The new anvil stand. I was tired of moving the big stump when I had to go to demos. I liked it so much I just ditched the stump.  It's just as stable as the stump, but way easier to move around the shop.

A pic of the aptly named Boulder Lake on memorial day.  The lake is hard on the bottom of canoes if the bow person is not doing their job.  

I won't be at TJ's today

Sorry, not feeling up to snuff today.   No sleep and extra pains and aches. 

May Shows

Greeting friends and patrons!  Hope spring is treating you well.

May marks the opening of our busy season!  We are working on filling our calendar with event venues.

Our first May event is at TJ's street market in Mahtowa, MN on Sunday, May 13th for Carlton County's largest spring chicken, goat, and horse tack swap.  And of course, TJ's delicious wurst!

TJ's is located at 2751 Market Street, Mahtowa, MN

Take I-35 Mahtowa exit 227 and go west about 2 miles on County Road 4 (follow signs)

Swap opens at 9am and runs until everyone goes home.  Hope to see you there!

HBI is also gearing up for our show at the Barefoot Gardens Greenhouse in McGregor.  We will have our coal forge stoked and hammers ringing.  Hope you will drop by and see us.

41823 185^th Pl

McGregor, MN 55760

Phone: 218.768.3651

3 miles East of McGregor on Hwy 210

Or 6 miles West of Tamarack

 

 

Barefoot Gardening Day

At

Barefoot Gardens Greenhouse

May 19^th, 2018 9:30am-3:00pm

Speaker Schedule:

10:00 Fruit Tree Care

10:30 Honey Bees

11:00 Rice Lake Refuge

11:30 Hunchback Ironworks

12:00 Lunch Break

12:30 Maple Ridge Farms

1:00 Tamarack Pest Control

1:30 Essential Oils & Wellness

2:00 Wilma

 2:30 Open

Thank you for attending Barefoot Gardening Day.

And, as usual we will be at the Moose Lake Flea Market and Farmers Market at the Riverside Arena.  The Flea Market generally opens Memorial Day weekend, please stay tuned for additional details!