Mike Griffin custom chopper thoughts

**macmiddlebrooks** · 05-04-2011, 05:10 PM

I posted this in another forum but thought you guys might enjoy a look.
So....I was burnin' up some time on BF, checked the exchange and saw this guy just sitting there.

I've been looking for something exactly like this to replace my GB mini that I liked....but didn't love. I'm largely ignorant when it comes to hand forged blades , so here's what Mike had to say about his fabrication (hope he doesn't mind me quoting him):

"The burlap "mycarta" is pretty simple to make. I just cut a bunch of
squares of burlap that are the same size. I then mix up fiberglass
resin and dip each square in and layer them up. I put wax paper
around the stack and then clamp it pretty tight. The clamping is
really the only part that is easy to screw up. Too tight and all the
resin can squeeze out and it will be dry. After it cures, it can be
shaped and finished like regular micarta.

As far as a forged blade goes, it is probably the most fun part of the
whole process. I rely on my power hammer for a lot of my forging and
do the refining and clean-up with the hand hammer and anvil.
Controlling temperature while forging is probably the most important
part of the process. You have to be careful not to forge too hot as
it causes grain growth. Toward the end of the forging process I use
descending heats to refine the grain and end with a few normalizing
heats for more grain refinement.

After forging, I do the grinding of the bevels and clean up the
profile. On your knife I left the forge scale on the ricasso because
I think it looks good on certain knives. After grinding, I heat treat
in a baffled forge that is temp controlled and will hold its temp
within about 5 degrees. I then quench and go straight to the
tempering oven. After three temper cycles I sharpen the knife and do
some chopping to test the edge. If it chips, I will up the temper
heat a little and run another cycle. After it is performing the way
it should, I do the final grinding and attach and form the handle
scales."

First impression out the box was "WOW"!!!

Mike obviously takes a lot of time both in design and execution, even down to the forged ring holing the belt loop to the sheath (which is extremely well-done as well). Real attention to detail here!

He also left a little forge slag on.

1/4 thick and it feels so light and balanced.

First a little battoning.

Then some feathering.

Finally, since I almost never see the actual poster....me..feeling super stoked to use this chopper if only for a couple min. before work. I feel even more lucky due to the fact that Mike only posts knives for sale on BF very infrequently.Thanks Mike for makin' my day!

**Mike Quesenberry** · 05-05-2011, 08:55 PM

I think you've got one hell of a knife there. It's obvious that Mike takes great care in producing a superior knife, from the leather to the heat treatment it's very well done.