It has been awhile, longer than I thought actually!

I sure hope y'all are keeping warm today.  The wind chill this morning was -40F. My Air Force arctic parka was in its intended environment and it didn't take the dogs very long to empty themselves.  

Due to some shoulder issues I haven't been in the shop for quite awhile,  those have been mostly resolved and if things go well me and my buddy should be firing up the forges in the spring.   There is some maintenance that has to be done on the trip hammer and some new hoses bought for the new loaner forge.  The plan is to finish all the back orders and then complete all the blades I have heat treated before starting new ones.  Hopefully my new swage block will have shown up by then.  There are plans for making some wood working tools like gouges and such.

While not in the shop there was time to do other things.  Swimming is one of the few exercises that doesn't tear me up so the decision was made to learn scuba diving.  After a few classes I was hooked and now I'm "Advanced Open Water" certified.   Hopefully this summer I can be diving twice a week, there are plenty of lakes in this state(MN). There are a few wrecks in lake Superior I hope to hit and maybe take a trip to the gulf to hunt lion fish.

Me under Pike Lake summer 2020

That's all for now,  keep your powder dry, your pantry full and your pie hole shut,

Sven 

 

Update for the Summer

I haven't been in the shop at all since the trip to Kansas.   The weather has been particularly nasty with plenty of rain, humidity, and high temps. 
  The roof on one of my out buildings got blown mostly off while I was down south.   The repairs could not be put off any longer and it was done between rain storms.   There was a roof leak in the house that decided this was the year it had to be repaired also. 
  I'm

hoping when the weather cools down a bit that I can get back in the shop.  There are some knives that need finishing for some customers who have been as  patient as saints.  Those people know who they are and I can't thank them enough.  This has been a tough year but things are starting to fall in place.  The plan at this time is to get the knives caught up and start making product for show fall and Christmas shows once the weather cools down. 

A late start to my season in the northland

I've had to journey to the land of dust and wind and wind and dust to help out around my families homestead.  Dad had fractured some vertebrae and was waiting to get in for surgery.  While that was going on I needed to feed critters and do late winter/spring chores because of the restrictions put on him by the doctors.  Usually this in the time of year I get ready for my spring shows.   

There aren't many trees in KS
 and trees like this will make you happy about that

Dogs and horses and a mule oh my!

Getting ready to bush hog the pasture.

Working on some new products for the spring

There should be some horse head key fobs and bottle openers at the spring shows if all goes well.

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!