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A Call for Submissions
Dave enjoys collecting old tools and reusing found materials for his projects. If you are in the area, let us know if you have some high carbon steel, wrought iron, hardwood, lumber, or interesting blacksmithing, farm, or wood working tools that need a caring home.
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Sustainable ‘Smithing?
One of the draws of this type of craftsmanship is the deeply ingrained appreciation for ‘real’ and natural materials and simple methods. Many of the shop operations depend on human power and handwork. The charcoal fuel for forging is made from reclaimed wood.
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Handcrafted Knives
Inspired by the Japanese art of swordsmithing, Dave began making knives in 1990. His approach brings together a fusion of cultural and artistic styles from his experiences in Africa, North America, and Asia. Highlighting the potential for creative transformation in discarded objects, most of his raw material is sourced from worn out tools, farm machinery,…
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Ornamental Ironwork
1992 marked the completion of an intense short-term foundation course under a skilled career blacksmith. The next decade was focused on furthering the skill set for creating chandeliers, furniture, utensils, candle holders, and other useful decorative items while developing knifemaking skills on the side.
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D.i.y. Technology
Blacksmithing is a unique craft with the ability to produce and modify its own tools. Understanding of various properties of wood and metals have led to applications in several areas including interior design, playspaces, pyrotechnics, tool repair, and skateboarding.
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Mini Brass & Ebony Spring Folder
This began as a prototype and was my first attempt at a folding knife. Due to the small size of the piece I opted for a spring-tension lock system rather than an actual lock. This is quite a bit more complex than a friction folder and was a good challenge to take on. The shape…
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Linen Micarta Integral
*UPDATE* this knife was stolen from our vehicle January 19, 2018. If seen or found on the market please notify, collect payment, or return to its original home. I made this knife in 1996 at the age of 18. I wanted to continue to develop my integral survival-style camp knife pattern with this piece. The…
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Haik Integral Survival
This knife was custom designed with a client who was headed overseas. An ambitious project, the entire knife was forged and ground from a solid overload spring from a truck. The client wanted a heavy bowie style knife that was near indestructible for tough jobs like chopping kindling or hacking out of a downed aircraft…
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Pakkawood Clip Point
Reclaimed agricultural steel, a fused bronze guard pattern, and multi-colour hardwood laminate. The shape is based on a traditional design for an all-purpose companion knife. It is large enough to meet most tasks while eliminating excess weight and bulk. The full hidden tang blade was forged from a piece of high carbon agricultural spring steel…
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Ebony & Horn Drop Point Skinner
This is a piece from when I was first experimenting with the traditional Japanese method of clay-tempering blades (yaki-ire) in the early 1990’s. A thin clay mask creates dual temperature zones in the quenching bath, leaving the blade harder at the edge and tougher in the body. If you are really fortunate, the steel will…
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Heritage Wagon Spring Integral
This piece of steel, bone handle material, steel wire pins, and its weathered mounting board came from the dusty remains of a homestead in Saskatchewan, Canada. Around the turn of the century the blade would have served as a leaf-spring on a horse-drawn farm wagon, the pins were barbed wire around a cattle enclosure, and…
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Wagon Spring & Abalone Integral
This piece of steel came from the dusty remains of a homestead in Saskatchewan, Canada. Around the turn of the century it would have served as a leaf-spring on a horse-drawn farm wagon. I wanted to preserve the beautiful and unique surface left from one hundred years of weather and corrosion, so the handle and…
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Teddy Bear Armour
Following the first knife ever in 1990 in the form of a mini katana scaled for my teddy bear, I made a three different versions of armour for him as well in 1991 (the summer after grade 8) at the age of 13. The first was probably the bamboo and paper plate armour, the second…
Traditionally crafted knives for people who wish
they could take things home from museums.
Crossed Heart Forge
Historical Techniques
Hand forged with handmade charcoal, constructed and finished with historical methods and natural materials.
see the process
Traditional Tools
Human powered hand tools are used from the time the steel is first put in the fire through to the final assembly.
tour the forge
Reclaimed Materials
Steel, iron, copper, and brass are sourced from salvage and scrap wood for charcoal comes from local sources.
watch a tanto being made