Knives made the old way, the right way
I handpick my knife materials from a broad selection of common-exotic goods. Every blade I make is cut and forged from an antique mill saw blade, the majority of which are upwards of 80 years old. I use this older, recycled steel because they're always made of an alloyed steel with metals like manganese and nickel to add certain attributes to knives (impact resistance, heat resistance, slight rust resistance).
The majority of woods I use are from the VA/TN/KY area and have been logged locally, seasoned and cut. I do use some more exotic woods, burl woods being some of the semi exotic and woods like Zebrawood and African Blackwood being some of the more exotic.
I put hours in every knife that passes through the shop and if I charged minimum wage per hour, I couldn't sell knives so affordably. I see this as a labor of love, a passion and lastly as a job. I appreciate all my customers and the business they've given to me.
ABOUT US
In late 2010, I inherited my great uncle's forge and then I set out to learn blacksmithing and knifemaking. In 2011, I made my first knife out of a piece of bedrail and a mop handle piece. For the next 7 years I would experiment with damascus and laminated steel, different ways to attach handles and I started selling knives around 2014. Then in 2018, I started DH Knifeworks and the goal is still the same; Further my experience in bladesmithing and provide quality, affordable knives to outdoorsman, chefs and everyone in between.
What was once bedrail and mop handle has now turned into exotic woods and 100+ year old sawmill blades. Every knife that leaves the shop has been made with pride and every sheath is hand sewn.
I even made the anvil and a lot of the tools I use daily.
I get up every day, light the forge, shovel coal and work steel to bring knives to the public that are handmade, one of a kind and worthy of passing down to your grandkids.
I use and prefer coal because that's how my great, great grandpa and my great uncle did it. Both of them maintained and repaired shovels, picks and augers for various mining companies across Harlan County, Kentucky. Coal history in the area runs as deep as some coal seams and the industry is steadily making a comeback. For bladesmiths like me, this is why we use coal; There's an immense historical significance, a tint of nostalgia and a taste of the past in every hammer blow.
