Photos: 1) Civil War Era (1850s) Reclaimed Cherry; 2) From Top: Colonial Era (1700s) American Chestnut; 100 Year-Old “Wormy” Chestnut; Civil War Era (1850s) Reclaimed Cherry, Photo of 1800s Appalachia American Chestnut Forest (Courtesy of the Forest History Society, Durham, NC.)
Knife Dimensions: Length 7.0 in. (Blade 3.0 in.); Height (.7 inches); Width (0.066 in.)
Blade: 1095 High-Carbon Steel (Grind Finish)
Handle Construction: All of my handles are full tang in design and handcrafted “from scratch” starting with a single block of wood or beam of timber. Each handle is fastened with pins (both treenail and brass options are available) and, as a final step, secured with a 2,000 lb. Epoxy Resin.
Wood Selection: Four options are available.
Early 1900s Reclaimed Walnut: My small supply of reclaimed walnut was salvaged from an old Indiana barn several hours from my shop. Marks from the sawblade used to plane the beams suggest that the barn was constructed in the early 1900s. This beautiful walnut is an unusually dark “burgundy/purplish” color which makes for a unique and interesting handle.
NEW Civil War Era (1850s) Reclaimed Cherry: After months of searching I recently came across a 8′ long 8″ by 8″ beam of cherry salvaged from a barn built in the 1850s “just up the road” in Randolph County Indiana. This Civil War Era find is exceedingly rare given that few barns of that era were constructed with cherry beams. I am excited to be able to offer this option.
100+ Year-Old “Wormy” American Chestnut: “Wormy Chestnut” is the term used for wood salvaged from the more than four billion trees killed off by a blight fungus which brought the American Chestnut to the brink of extinction in the late 1800 and early 1900s. The small holes that are a defining characteristic of this difficult-to-find wood are the work of beetles and other insects that attacked the dead and dying trees 100+ years ago.
Colonial Era (1700s) American Chestnut: In the summer of 2021 I was able to obtain a four foot by 22 inch piece of American Chestnut that dates back to the Colonial Era before the American Revolution. While authentic 100+ year-old “Wormy” Chestnut is difficult to find (and expensive to purchase), a piece of primitive-cut Colonial Era American Chestnut is extremely rare thus the difference in price for the two American Chestnut options.
Pin Options;
Treenail Pins: I prefer to construct my knife handles using handcrafted hardwood pegs for two pragmatic reasons. First, as experienced woodworkers will tell you, hardwood joinery results in a stronger and longer-lasting bond than when using metal (such as nails, screws and brass pins). Second, I like the unique look of treenail pins and the fact that they enable me to make a one-of-a-kind knife that can be used daily and also handed down to future generations.
Standard Brass Pins: While the use of treenails in the construction of my knives is a signature feature of my work, I also offer the more traditional option of standard brass pins.
Delivery Date: On-line orders are put in a cue and responded to “first come, first served”. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
