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Oklahoma Custom Knife Show August 28, 2010

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04/08/10

 

 

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Ray Kirk

American Bladesmith Society Master Smith 

December 21, 2008.  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 only 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 15N20.  I have passed my MS performance test and won the first cutting contest at Mesquite with knives made from this 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 is 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 health reasons,  I feel it best to abstain from  competition.

In the last year, I have been learning to make a style of knives that I consider both useful and difficult to forge.  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 going to be 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. 

As of January of 2009, I will have available a new model of knives, The NDN Series.  These knives will feature an as forged condition on the flats of the blades.  They will also not be hand sanded to help reduce the cost to the customer.  If you are looking for an inexpensive using knife with to withstand the rigors of hard use, this may be something you have been looking for.  Please check out the "NDN Knives" web page that is coming soon.

I am a member of the American Bladesmith Society, The Arkansas Knifemakers Association, the Alabama Forge Council, A.F.&A.F., the Knife Group 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 since 1996 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 make it easy 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  1-918-456-1519

Shipping address:

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

 mailto:ray@rakerknives.com

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This site was last updated 12/22/08

Home | Michael E | Event  Calendar | Awards | Knives For Sale | ABS Auction Bowie | Medicine Blade Certificate  The | Blade Album | DAMASCUS KEY RING FOBS | About Me | Knife Links | Feedback | Steel Prices | KGA Members

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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