Knife-making in Nicaragua

mike deibert

mike deibert

Joined
Jul 2, 2009
Messages
378
Since Burt has been giving every effort to help my vocational school along I thought some of you might like to see some pics. We concentrate mostly on traditional blacksmithing skills, modern welding (stick) and carpentry. Just about a year ago we were blessed with a visit from a one cool cat Jason Knight. Jason instructed my advanced students in the basics of forging blades. You'll notice in the pictures that we do a lot of file work. One of my students has taken an extra special liking to knife making. His name is Ramon. Ramon has made about 25 blades since Jason has come and he is improving more with every blade. He and I collaborate a lot and have just finished a group of 4 of our "hunter" style knives. Ramon and I go back and forth between forging, handle making and sheath making. It's a lot of fun and we hope to both complete the level of journeyman one day in the future. For now we are happy to put in our time forging blades. Some of the other students are into blade forging as well and are coming along nicely. Hope you enjoy the pics.
Mike
www.esvoministries.com
 

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that is SO AWESOME!!!
man those kids just are spellbound by Jason's tutelage, that's just so cool.
What a great thing you're doing:thumbup:
 
Hey Mike,

The smiling eyes of boundless hope, that Manuel. Watch out Jerry Fisk!

I'd school your students in Chinese water torture just in case Jason returns and balks at teaching his bowie handle sculpting methodology, the best handles in the business.

Send along Ramon's mug shot if you have one please.

Thanks for exposing your school and aspirations. It's a warm story that adds one more facet to an already great forum. Keep the updates flowing, as I will be keenly interested in your progress.

ken
 
What you guys are doing is truly admirable and reflecting of the best there is in the American spirit. Congratulations. :thumbup:
 
Thank you for the kind remarks!

I'd like to show off three knives that Ramon and I finished today. They are all made from 5160 (recycled leaf springs) edge quenched and tempered with a soft back draw. These are the first knives we've made with guards. With the help of some knife-making books we had to teach ourselves to fit the guards, handles and also to silver solder. I'm not saying they are the greatest but we have surely learned a lot from the process.

I was also happy to find some leather a few weeks ago and it made for some really nice sheaths. That's a whole additional skill set to learn!

Thanks for looking at our products. I'm eager to get these knives in the hands of folks for field testing.

Mike
 

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Lorien said:
that is SO AWESOME!!!
man those kids just are spellbound by Jason's tutelage, that's just so cool.
What a great thing you're doing:thumbup:
Click to expand...

BTW Lorien, I've really enjoyed following the thread on the knife you're making in your shop. Your dedication is inspiring! Now I can show the pics of you working with the files to my students so I can say "see it's not so bad, other guys are doing it too!"

Mike
 
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that's just great, Mike:):):)
Thank you!
 
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