Toolmaking Art

I have been needing to shape and temper a bit of steel for quite some time, but have put it off with one thing or another.  My belt grinder has been acting flakey, so I really need to put together a bunch of parts I have been collecting and make a better one.  A couple [...]

On the subject of bent blades, there are those made to match the American Indian pattern. One great source and example, is Cariboo Blades. They make delightful crooked knives. The also make chisels and slicks, adze, ulus, cooking knives and draw knives. Best of all these artists make each one [...]

First I had to organize the parts,

Then put it together,

Then make sure the alignment is perfect.

I went way, way overboard on making sure everything lined up.
Now it needs a good base.
Bob

Doug Stowe was doing fine craftsmanship professionally  since I was still going to camp.  His articles on woodworking and  teaching and performing fine craftsmanship published in Fine Woodworking are all great reads.   I have one of  his books,
Taunton’s Complete Illustrated Guide to Box Making
It is a delightful book with lots of [...]

When making simple hand tools, a ferrule is an important addition.

The ferrule on the knife was made by heating a nut on punch, to a nice cherry red an then beating it with a hammer. This gave it a good angled inner surface that jams on tight to a wooden mortise. This makes [...]