Matthew Gregory
Chief Executive in charge of Entertainment
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2005
- Messages
- 6,390
I’ve been asked to demonstrate at the 43rd Annual Ashokan Blade Seminar 2024, happening on October 4-6 this year.
Nearly 20 years ago, as a VERY new knifemaker, I attended this event and it was one of the most pivotal moments in my life. Not only was I given a chance to see my knifemaking heroes demonstrate their techniques, but I got to know many of them, and some have become lifelong friends. Those interactions changed my perspective on a lot of things, dispelled a lot of myths, and propelled me on the path I’m still pursuing.
The presenters I’ll be among this year are Tim Zowada, Herb Kettell, Dan Maragni, Zeb Deming, David Barnhill, Burt Foster, and Kevin Cashen. Each one of them is slated to do an incredible demo.
My presentation will be on some of my favorite handle materials, specifically focusing on aerospace materials such as carbon fiber, foam core products such as Rohacell and Divinycell, epoxies and other adhesives, as well as best practices. I will also be doing a grinding demonstration explaining my thoughts on machines, abrasive media, and technique.
For my handle material lecture, I made this knife as an example.
The 6” long blade is made of a Crucible Laminate (NOT San Mai, as there is no forge weld here - this was made using the particle metal/Hot Isostatic Press process by Crucible) of CPM-154 cladding over a core of CPM-10v. the seppa and menuki are both titanium, and the guard is carbon fiber. The handle is a composite construction consisting of a G10 and carbon fiber frame, with an aerospace foam material called Rohacell to add dimension with almost no weight, sleeved in carbon fiber, and laced in carbon fiber tsukaito. The end result is a large, high strength, hand-filling handle and a point of balance at the index finger, on a knife with an overall length of almost 12", weighing only 6-3/4 ounces. I’ll explain the construction of this handle at length in my lecture.
Nearly 20 years ago, as a VERY new knifemaker, I attended this event and it was one of the most pivotal moments in my life. Not only was I given a chance to see my knifemaking heroes demonstrate their techniques, but I got to know many of them, and some have become lifelong friends. Those interactions changed my perspective on a lot of things, dispelled a lot of myths, and propelled me on the path I’m still pursuing.
The presenters I’ll be among this year are Tim Zowada, Herb Kettell, Dan Maragni, Zeb Deming, David Barnhill, Burt Foster, and Kevin Cashen. Each one of them is slated to do an incredible demo.
My presentation will be on some of my favorite handle materials, specifically focusing on aerospace materials such as carbon fiber, foam core products such as Rohacell and Divinycell, epoxies and other adhesives, as well as best practices. I will also be doing a grinding demonstration explaining my thoughts on machines, abrasive media, and technique.
For my handle material lecture, I made this knife as an example.
The 6” long blade is made of a Crucible Laminate (NOT San Mai, as there is no forge weld here - this was made using the particle metal/Hot Isostatic Press process by Crucible) of CPM-154 cladding over a core of CPM-10v. the seppa and menuki are both titanium, and the guard is carbon fiber. The handle is a composite construction consisting of a G10 and carbon fiber frame, with an aerospace foam material called Rohacell to add dimension with almost no weight, sleeved in carbon fiber, and laced in carbon fiber tsukaito. The end result is a large, high strength, hand-filling handle and a point of balance at the index finger, on a knife with an overall length of almost 12", weighing only 6-3/4 ounces. I’ll explain the construction of this handle at length in my lecture.
