Caed Mille Failte from Cape Breton!!

[P. McKinley]

As a first post and introduction I thought I'd share a few of my more successful projects. I'm a novice maker with about one dozen knives made to date, but I'm fully consummed with this hobby. I am a retired chef and now spend a bit of time teaching Outdoor Education. My alternate personality enjoys spending time in the "way back and beyond" paddling my canoe and camping in hard-to-get-to places.

Here's a few of my knives:

Peruvian Black Walnut and moose antler neck knife:
Blade is a 2 1/2 inch (cutting edge), forged from 01 rod, quenched in olive oil.
Handle is Peruvian Black Walnut (Nogal) and moose antler finished with two coats of Antique Oil and two coats of Qualasole.
Overall length is about 7 inches.




Cholla Bowie:
Blade: 7 1/4 inch (cutting edge), Solingen steel, sanded to 600 grit
Handle: Epoxy filled Cholla cactus, African Rosewood, leather spacers, 10 coats of Qualosole
Guard: Brass
Sheath: 9-10 oz. mohogany stained leather, full welt
Overall length: 11 3/4 inch

Hawthorn Skinner:
Blade is a 2 1/2 inch (cutting edge), forged from 01 rod, quenched in olive oil.
Handle: Hawthorn branch from my back yard with Cherry, Walnut and vulcanized firbe spacers.

Rosewood and Leather Utility:
Blade: Solingen steel
Handle: African Rosweood, stacked leather
Guard: Brass

Cholla Camp Knife:
Blade: Unknown high carbon "Sweedish steel" forged, shaped and heat treated by a local blacksmith. Bevel ground by the Grohmann Knife factory of Pictou, NS.
Handle: Cholla Cactus, Moose antler, Lignum Vite, brass, leather, Old Town Canoe "Diamond Head" bolt, slow cure epoxy .

 

[AfterTFD]

Those are all impressive. It looks like you're a natural at this.

Did you make the sheaths as well?

 

[steierknives]

Really like them. Your choice of materials makes a great looking knife. Sheath really add to the whole package.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Nice. I particularly like the seax shaped camp knife, and the rosewood utility.

 

[P. McKinley]

Thank you for the compliments!

AfterTFD - Yes, I made the sheaths. I make no claim to the blades though. I am not a bladesmith or metalworker.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Nice. Beautiful warm materials. Brass is easy to work, but frowned upon by most collectors and users. The only critical comment I would make. Overall I like 'em.

Caed Mille Failte: Is this your name? Sorry, I am confused. Very unusual.

Coop

 

[P. McKinley]

Jim - No, my name is Peter. Caed Mille Failte roughly means "one hundred thousand welcomes" in Gaelic. However, here in Cape Breton it is often used as a general greeting to newcommers and strangers.

Comming from you Jim, I am honored by your compliments. I've seen your photo work on several knife forums and you certainly set the standard. Thank you!!

As for the brass.... it was, at the time, the material of necessity as I didn't have the tools to work with harder metals..... I do now and am working on several projects with damascus and stainless. I happen to have found several large bars of brass and bronze in the basement of our newly purchased 60 yr old house, so.......

 

[SharpByCoop]

Hi Peter,

A wonderful greeting, worthy of the knives and yourself. Thanks for making us aware.

I now feel rude. Although I don't prefer brass, my opening welcome should not have included a critique; however well-meaning I meant it.

I look forward to your ongoing work. Thank you for the compliments as well.

Coop

 

[P. McKinley]

Jim - Critiques are always welcome and no offence was taken.

By the way, I was born and raised (years and years and years ago) in Simsbury.