Introductions, and a few of my latest knives

[ludo410]

I could have sworn I'd posted on BladeForums before (been a member for almost two years), but looks like I'm starting all over.

This is pretty much an introduction thread: my name is Michael Schaub and I make knives. It's been something I've wanted to do for years but really got started in late 2012 after attending a local Hammer-In weekend event. Like anyone else, my first few (several) attempts weren't all that great; lol I have lots of knives floating around my garage that I cringe to look at today. Still, it's interesting to see how I've evolved and grown as a knife maker, and thought I'd share some of my latest (within the last year or so) with all of you. :thumbup:

Groomsmen knives, made these for each of them when I got married last spring

Also a wedding gift, this time to the bride's father

These are my most recent, all 1095 clip points with cocobolo or walnut burl handles. (It's interesting IMO to see how much better my sheathes look now that I'm doing more tooling, what a difference a year can make)

Now that I'm ramping up on my knife making and settling on designs, I'm seriously considering going on the road to shows. Here in Central California, we have a lot of gun shows within a relatively short drive of us, which is an option. Guess I'll be picking your collective brains for ideas on where to go and how to go about doing that.

Here's a few sketches of what (might) be coming down the line soon. I like to keep things fresh and try new styles:

Look forward to meeting you all!

 

[SaraLikesKnives]

Hey, you're right around the corner from me (in fact, I know where you sleep lol)! Always your #1 fan here babe.

 

[E.H-Knives]

Really nice blades buddy,you did a great job :thumbup:

 

[66sprint6]

Knives and sheaths look awesome to me! Im entirely new to knife making and enjoy seeing the custom, hand made stuff alot!

Matt

 

[ludo410]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I've got more pictures/videos up over on my Instagram page (@Schaub.Knives), but here's a few more pics of other knives I've done recently (and a couple I'm working on now):

Three more commissioned knives, middle one for a family Christmas gift, the other two for a loyal client who immediately wanted more when he saw these. (Can you tell yet that I really like Cocobolo?)

At work now on another clip point for my in-law's pastor, clay is currently drying for the heat treat tonight. Tapered the tang on this one, something I'd only played at previously, and am pleased how it came out.

Doing something very different (for me) this time. Most of my creations have been longer but I'm trying my hand at a few shorty wallet knives now (had a tiny bit of bar stock left and wanted to squeeze out what I could). Going to be playing with these over the next few days but they feel surprisingly good in the hand, given the size, even like this.

I'll try to post more pics as I finish new works, but I appreciate any comments or feedback from the talent I've seen here on BF.

 

[Charlie Mike]

Looks familiar! I found you on Instagram today.

 

[Robert757]

Great stuff Michael! I always drool over a nice hamon that clay is really black, what is it, if you don't mind telling?

 

[ludo410]

Looks familiar! I found you on Instagram today.

Lol yeah, I've noticed quite a few blade from the forums on my Instagram feed, and vice versa. Always kind of funny to find the paths crossing!

Great stuff Michael! I always drool over a nice hamon that clay is really black, what is it, if you don't mind telling?

Glad you like them! The clay is actually black furnace cement (the brand I use is Rutland) and I got it from Amazon. I use it to shape the hamon line on my 1095 blades. It isn't perfect (the line you make with the clay doesn't guarantee that will be what it looks like once etched) but it gives me a little control to set it how I like it.