November 21, 2011. I started forging knives in 1989 from springs and in 1993 I found out that they made high carbon flat bar. I did stock removal for a while and now do mostly forging. I forge most of my knives from a round bar of 52100 that is 1 3/4" dia. I also make my own damascus using the 52100 and other high carbon knife steels with the 15N20. I have passed my MS performance test and won the first cutting contest at Mesquite with knives made from the 52100 mix. In the ABS sponsored cutting contests, I have three first place, one second place, and a fifth place in the first ABS World Championship in Atlanta, Ga. in 2003. Next stop was the Batson Bladesmith Symposium of 2006 at Tannehill Park just south of Birmingham, Alabama. I won that one with an 8" tactical of 52100 and that was the last contest that I will enter. Due to physical reasons, I felt it was best to abstain from competition.

In the last few years, I have been making a style of knives that I consider both useful and simple in design. It is also a very beautiful knife style and has recently seen a surge in its popularity. This knife is the integral style knife. The Brazilian Gaucho knife is an example. It was brought to my attention by a few of the makers from Brazil and is now one of my main knife styles. That is one reason that two of the knives I submitted for my Master Smith stamp were damascus integrals with full tapered tangs.

In January of 2009, I started a new model of knives, the NDN Integral Series. These knives will feature an as forged condition on the flats of the blades and will be more economical due to less hand work.

In October of 2011, I have acquired a large amount of .531" dia 52100 round bar and am able to make a small integral that cuts as well as the larger ones. I call it the Mini Skinner. The handle on the larger one will be 1/2" longer and will be called the Sr. Skinner.

I am a member of the American Bladesmith Society, The Arkansas Knifemakers Association, the Alabama Forge Council, A.F.&A.M., the Knife Group Association, the Kansas Custom Knifemakers Association,and the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. I also attend many of the hammer-ins and seminars on knife making during the year. I believe that a Bladesmith should continue to improve and learn all they can to make the best knife they can make.

I had taught a forging class at the Indian Capital Technology Center from 1996 till 2004 and this was the start of the Knife Group Association.

This is a group of knife makers and collectors that will sponsor a custom knife show each year in Oklahoma We now have about 100 members and schedule a get together (shop tour) for an exchange of ideas and techniques about 2 times a year. Our show isn't a large one but there are plenty of excellent knife makers that attend. A list of them are on the KGA web site for those that would like to visit. Admission is reasonable as we want to provide access without hurting the family budget for the young family to attend. The young of today are the collectors of tomorrow. There will be a link to the list of (KGA Members) included in this web site..

Mailing address:

P. O. Box 1445, Tahlequah, Ok. 74465

Home - 918-456-1519

Cell - 918-207-8076

Shipping address:

25494 So. 530 Road, Park Hill, Ok. 74451

mailto:ray@rakerknives.com

This site was last updated 01/21/12

Mailing address:

P. O. Box 1445, Tahlequah, Ok. 74465 1-918-456-1519

Shipping address:

25494 So. 530 Road, Park Hill, Ok. 74451

mailto:ray@rakerknives.com