The Articles

Sixteen articles written by Dave at the forge — a working Mastersmith's knowledge base on sharpening, steel, collecting and the craft. Preserved here in full.

• How to Sharpen a Knife

  The definitive guide — angles, stones, stropping and keeping an edge.

• Heat Treating

  What actually happens inside the steel, from a smith who did it thousands of times.

• Damascus Steel

  Pattern-welded steel explained: layers, etching, and why it captivates.

• The Trail Taken to Reach the Pinnacle

  Dave's road from first blade to Mastersmith.

• Knife Collecting

  Building a collection with intent.

• Knife Pricing

  What custom knives cost and why.

• Selecting the Correct Knife

  Matching the knife to the hand and the job.

• Ordering a Custom Knife

  How commissions worked — preserved from the maker years.

• Knife Photography

  Making blades look as good in pictures as in hand.

• About Knife Shows

  What shows are like from behind the table.

• Knifemaking Equipment

  The shop tools that matter.

• Learning Bladesmithing

  How to start forging.

• Knife Terminology

  The vocabulary of the blade, illustrated.

• My Perception

  Dave's philosophy on knives and making.

• Selling Knives Online

  Early internet knife-selling wisdom.

• Knife Burnout

  The maker's hazard nobody talks about.