A new pack-able draw knife out of 1095

I had a little fun in the shop making some new stuff for myself.  I don't get to do that as much as I would like.  The idea came from some youtube videos.  There was a few different styles and I liked the way this style packed down.

Roughed out and ready for grind.

Sharpened and ready for use.  It zipped through some poplar like butter. I'm very pleased with the edge.

The pen is for scale reference if you want to make your own.  I wrapped it in some scrap leather and tied it with some of the nettle cordage I made to keep with the bushcraft theme. 

Damascus 04/17 Spiffy new blade!

Fresh from the ferric chloride,  a striking pattern is revealed!  We are very pleased with the boldness of this pattern.   There will another 3 knives made from the billet that this came from.  Enjoy.   1095 and 15N20 if you were wondering about the steels.

First show of the season is at the Pine Tree Plaza in Cloquet, MN (the mall) Friday March 31st 10-5 Sat 04/01/17 9-4

Super One Foods Spring Arts and Crafts Show
Friday March 31 from 10 am to  5 pm
Saturday April 1st from 9 am to 4 pm
Stock will be limited at my booth, but we will be taking orders also.  It's been a rough start to the year but I hope things will improve as the season moves along.

It'll be good to see old friends and hopefully I'll make some new ones.

The machine has not been idle the last few weeks!

Shop Dog #2 says "Please support your local blacksmith it keeps the supper dish full!"

Back in the shop!

The forge has been fired and steel ordered!   We will have a few stainless steel hooks for sale this year.  There is a show coming up next week and there will be more on that later.

Maybe the next pic of the view from the hammock there will be leaves.

Reasons to be miserable

2017 has started off rougher than I could ever plan for.   The eye infection so bad 2 kinds of antibiotics were needed cut into the work planning, then the new meds to keep my arthritis under control are not working as advertised.   It's usually not a good idea to be playing with machines that can remove body parts while taking fistfuls  of painkillers that are only marginally effective.  Some days it's all I can do just to get out of bed.
  I will miss out on our usual show for starting the season.  If things don't get better soon I will have to miss the spring show at the mall in Cloquet.
  I will update y'all as soon as I have a better picture as to what is going on.

Sorry posting has been non-existent. Going through a rough patch.

I've not frozen to death or been snowed in but it's been a close thing.  Be back soon barring any unforeseen circumstances.

New year's day bushcrafting

It finally got cold enough to walk in my bog.  I made a fire and tested the Kukri out. 

The snow is to put out the remaining coals after the hot chocolate was made.

We're going to be making some kukri and parang prototypes and field test them to see if we want to add them to the product line.