ML Knives Blog

Custom Bowie Knife with Osage

2012-02-19T05:03:00.000-08:00

I made this bowie knife awhile back for a custom order and I don't think
I had ever posted any pics or info. This knife was made with a pattern
and patina aged blade about 9 to 9 1/4" long. Forged steel guard and
a beautiful Osage handle with 5 brass pins. This also has a
tapered forward clip/swedge.

A larger picture is posted here as well.

Past work page 1

A New Video Post as well. Beefed up stag Drop Point.

Thank you
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com

Modified Kephart Fisher Custom

2012-02-16T14:29:00.000-08:00

I have a Mid week update for you all to see. This custom order
kephart fisher has no scaler on the spine..The blade is about 4
inches long patina aged. The handle is antiqued hickory with
three steel pins. The spine is 3/32" and the belt sheath is
hand stitched antiqued medium brown.

Thank you

Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com

Short Survivalist knife Customized and Military Insignia on Leather

2012-02-12T05:03:00.000-08:00

About five or so posts ago I showed you look at
a mosaic pinned "customized" short survivalist. I
have some more and info pictures here to show you.

This is a bit shorter than my standard short survivalist
overall I believe this is about 5 3/4"..you can also see
in the pictures the antiqued bone with Mosaic pins.

The Hand stitched sheath can be carried on the belt
or as a neck knife.

If you would like to see my survivalist knives and just
are passing through here is the link.
Special Order Page 3

I also have a New Video post.

Thank you very much

Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com

Kephart custom knife Set and a custom Dangler

2012-02-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

I have a Mid week look at a set of custom kephart knives
for you. Both were done with Tiger maple, brass pins
and lanyard holes. Lots of forge pattern left on the blades
as requested.

custom sheaths were left off this photo but if you scroll down a bit
I added a picture of a custom dangler sheath I made recently
for an Osage kephart custom with a ferro loop.
The second sheath is my fold over style sheath.

If your new to my work blog or website and want to see more kephart knives
go to my.....
Kephart Gallery

More info on my sheaths, hand tooling on leather and more
go to.....
Sheaths

Thank you
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com/

Trio Of Stag Knives

2012-02-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

Below I posted a picture of three Stag custom order knives.

To the far left is my Traditional Hunting Skinner with a lanyard.
blade about 3 1/2". If your unfamiliar with this knife I have
more info on this page. Special Order Page 2

Center knife is from the stag carry knife post a few posts back
with a 2 5/8" blade.

The last one is the carry game knife
in the last post with a 2 3/4" blade.

Thank you

Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com

Pocket Knives with a Fixed blade

2012-02-01T17:04:00.000-08:00

Back in 2009 I wrote an article for my blog called. "Pocket Knives don't have to fold"

This is the revised version. Hope you all enjoy.

When most people now a days think of pocket knife they automatically think of a
folding knife or maybe a lock back folder, one might even thick of the auto knife
or what I call thumb open knives.

If you remember back as a kid your grandfather probably always had a pocket
knife that he carried, usually with a jigged bone handle that didn't lock.
(the old school jack knife) Those were great knives weren't they? I had one for
a long time when I was a younger and it went with me everywhere. Many still
carry this style knife.

There are other options for pocket knife carry though. Small fixed blades such
as the knives shown below can be carried in your pocket, pack, neck knife carry,
shooting bag, or even on your belt and are very handy for all sorts of cutting and
slicing chores. Besides you will also have the strength of a full tang knife.

Carry knife set up to wear on the belt with a blade about 2 3/4" long
handle of bocote.

Last chance carry knife

Carry game knife with stag handle..blade about 2 3/4"
Sheath set up for belt, but can also be slipped into a pocket
bag, or pack.

A fixed blade knife you can carry with you every where is great.

Thank you
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com/

Reasons to keep your knife Sharp. A quick note.

2012-01-30T17:08:00.000-08:00

Keeping a decent edge on your knife or maintaining a good sharp
blade is important for many reasons.

One of which is if you generally maintain your knife's edge on a regular
basis on a water or oil stone the next time you need to use it as a
cutting tool your knife will be ready to perform for you.

All the better a carbon steel knife such as 1095 (the steel I use)
can be touched up very easily. For example if your hunting in the back
country and you need to use your knife on game even though the steel
I use is very easy to re-sharpen your blade is ready for
action before hand.

Another point to add to the above. If you keep your knife sharp with
say a medium grit stone the less work you will have to do to bring the
edge back to life. For example. If it has been a very long time since
you sharpened your knife and it is very dull the coarser the stone you will
need to start your sharpening process with. If on the other hand you touch
your edge up once and awhile the easier it is to maintain.

Another good reason for maintaining a good edge. A dull knife or a knife's
edge that needs a sharpening can become more dangerous that a blade with
a sharp edge. If your blade is dull and you are exerting more force on the
knife or blade than needed, more chance for an accident with the knife.

Just some thoughts.

Thank you all for reading

Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com/

Carry Knife with Stag

2012-01-29T05:08:00.000-08:00

This custom order knife is a great size for carrying everyday
as well as a game knife. I am in the process of making a
neck sheath for it as well.

The blade size on this is about 2 5/8" with a file worked
jimped spine. The handle is antiqued stag with brass
pins at about 3 3/8" long.

The blade is also pattern and patina aged and has enough
belly for skinning as well.

The belt sheath is hand stitched and antiqued in a medium
brown color.

I also posted a new video you might enjoy.

Thank you for reading.

Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com

Inside look at a custom knife in the works...Mosaic and Bone

2012-01-27T14:35:00.000-08:00

Below is something I am currently working on for a custom order.

Something about the look of antiqued bone that just adds allot
of character to a knife and thought I would give an early picture
of this one for you all to see.

When I get everything completed on this knife I will post some
more pictures and information up here.

Also I found a photo I took over the summer of the Aqueduct that runs over the Schoharie creek

here in upstate NY. This whole area is very historic.

Thank you
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com/

Hudson Bay Camp Knife with Stag

2012-01-25T17:10:00.000-08:00

Awhile back I did a post on this Custom Hudson Bay Camp knife.
I thought I would put the pictures and info up here for you to see
as well as an additional picture of the spine.

This customized Knife has a blade about 7 inches long.
The handle is beautiful antiqued stag with brass pins over
brass washers. The spine is about 3/16" thick.

The sheath is hand stitched and made to be worn high
and cross drawn right handed.

Thank you
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com/

Old Favorite Tongs and a Kephart In action

2012-01-24T17:26:00.000-08:00

Here is something I thought you would all enjoy seeing.

This is a set of Tongs I forged awhile back and remain one
of my favorite tools in the shop. They are beat and have seen
better days but are still holding up and do the job I need them to
do.

Also The picture below was taken by Reuben Bolieu: His Kephart knife in action
making a fuzz stick or some call a feather stick / fire stick. Whatever you want
to call it, Great Job.

Thank you
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com

NEW Update on Past Knife work Extended Page and some update info

2012-01-23T15:25:00.000-08:00

Ok as you can see below THIS POST I have recovered some posts from the
previous postings through the years except the first 5 posts are newer.
From here out all the posts will be new.

While I'm updating here I added a couple new knives to the Past Work
Extended Page.

The link to the page is here

PAST WORK EXTENDED

Also for some of the posts I couldnt recover but here are a couple videos

from the Trail Fighter.

Trail Fighter Knife Testing part 2 Killer Soda Cans Cutting

Thanks for reading

Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com

Hudson Bay Camp Knife with Trade Bead Cross

2012-01-23T15:04:00.000-08:00

Originally Posted on the June 12th, 2011

If you have passed by my blog more than once or my website
you have seen my personal Hudson bay camp knife. If not
I am posting a current picture of it below. It has aged
beautifully and looks as if it has passed through time.
I would also like to mention the trade bead silver cross in
the pictures. This was done for me by a nice gentleman
by the name of Kirk Preti of Good Medicine Beads. It is a
beautiful piece that I will be wearing everyday. The beads
are all original period and the finest I have seen. I will be
using all of his beads on any of the danglers or period pieces
that call for them in the future.
I am posting Kirk’s card below and on my link’s page of my website.

Thank you

Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com/

Frontier belt knife custom

2012-01-23T14:59:00.000-08:00

Originally Posted in on the May 22nd, 2011

The knife posted below was custom ordered. This is a
frontier style knife with a patina aged blade about
5 inches long. The handle is aged hickory with a tight
stitched rawhide leather wrap. The sheath was
custom stitched and aged as well. The core
has a hard veg tan liner with full welt, outside is
rawhide and brain tan leather with aged trade beads
tin cone and horse hair.

A knife such as this will serve a large period of time as well
as a very nice using knife.
I know many new visitors have been passing by here. If your
interested in seeing more of my past work I have past work
galleries located on my website.
PAST WORK
PAST WORK 2
PAST WORK 3
PAST WORK EXTENDED
also If you like some of the articles I have published
you can view a newer one here
Knife Sheaths of the early American Frontier
Thank you for reading
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com/

Custom Possible Hunting Shooting Bag

2012-01-23T14:56:00.000-08:00

Originally Posted on the May 8th, 2011

This week I would like to show you a custom made
Possible bag from my shop. This bag is similar
in design to the one I carry on my journeys in the woods.
Everything was hand stitched and all the leather is antiqued.
The button was made of antler. One Inside Pocket.
This particular bag has a single solid strap.
If your new to my website or blog you can see
more examples of my bags on my past works pages
as well as on my possible hunting bags page

Happy Mothers day to all the moms out there.

Thank you very much
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com

Red Oak a Beautiful Hard grained Handle

2012-01-23T14:52:00.000-08:00

Originally Posted on the April 24th, 2011

Red oak is often overlooked when it comes to a handle material
for knives in general. I can tell you this wood is very durable
and hard and has a coarse grain texture to it. This wood
has been used for many years for furniture, flooring, bar
tops and more. You can see from the picture below
I finished this one with a light antiqued finish and it complements
the knife blade very well.

I also have a new video that you may have missed you can watch it
right on my blog below.

Here is another one that is older you may have missed.

Thank you for reading.
Have a happy Easter.
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com

Custom Dagger with Ebony

2012-01-23T14:46:00.000-08:00

Originally Posted on the April 17th, 2011

This week I wanted to show you this custom knife order.
The blade forged out at about 5 1/2″ long with a
beautiful medial ridge down the center or the blade.
Patina aged blade. Handle is about 5 inches long
and has a dark ebony with steel pins.
The sheath was hand stitched and set up to be
worn on the belt and was aged as well.
A great knife for the western shooter’s gun belt
or knife collection.

Thank you all for reading and following
my work, website and blog and articles.
Appreciated very much.

Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com/

Trip to the woods

2012-01-23T14:42:00.000-08:00

Originally Posted on the October 24th, 2010

Thank you all for reading very much appreciated.
This week I want to just share some pictures with you I took
recently while in the woods. These were taken here
in upstate NY. The last picture is a drop point
with a patina aged aged blade, bone stag and copper
with file work.

Thank you
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com

Special Order Kephart Knife

2012-01-23T14:37:00.000-08:00

Originally Posted on the August 15th, 2010

Here is a customized kephart that I had to post up here for
everyone to see. This is my standard kephart with a beefed
up 3/16 spine. The handle is carved stag buffalo horn and
has a very nice non slip grip. When completed this set up
will be horizontal style, with a ferro rod.

Thank you very much

Matt

ML Knives

http://www.mlknives.com

Scagel style knife

2012-01-23T14:33:00.000-08:00

Originally Posted on the July 18th, 2010

This is a custom ordered forged Scagel style knife that I thought
everyone would like to see. Leather stacked handle with silver
and red spacers with a whitetail antler back end. Of course
I left a small amount of forge pattern on the blade and finished
off the handle with a light antiqued look..

Thank you for reading

Matt

ML Knives

http://www.mlknives.com/

Spoon Carved, with carving knife

2012-01-23T14:28:00.000-08:00

Originally Posted on the May 23rd, 2010

I had a chance to carve another spoon with one of my carving knives.
This time I carved from a section of maple from my wood pile.
You can check out this carving knife over on special order page 3

I also added a new firesteel to the same order page.
This is a coffin shaped fire steel, that can be set up
as neck wear or great for your shooting bag, hiking pack,
traditional firestarting with flint or ferro rod.

Thank you

Matt

ML Knives

http://www.mlknives.com/

Virginia Long Knife

2012-01-23T14:23:00.000-08:00

Originally posted on October 25th, 2009

I have mentioned in older posts “The knife in Homespun America” being a great book. One knife I wanted to point out was one Mr. Grant referred to as the “Virginia Long Knife”. This knife saw service on the Ohio river Frontier and had a hand forged blade that was 9 1/4″ long. Being forged from an old file to me makes the knife even more unique as one just has to think of the history not only behind the knife but the tool that it started life as. The original piece had a handle made of hickory and a hand forged guard. Below I posted a picture of the original and one I made for a gent awhile back. I changed it a bit to make it my own, but still giving the look of the original.

Thank you
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com

A Great Book on Knives

2012-01-23T14:18:00.000-08:00

Originally posted on the April 26th, 2009

The Knife in Homespun America” by Madison Grant. If your not familiar with this book It is a great Read for those that love history and knives. The book has original pieces in it that range in date from the 1600’s into the 19th century. Most with history and info on each knife. The book also covers some shooting (possible bags), swords, folding knives. It will be easy to see by looking at some of the earliest design knives in this book where many of today’s designs originated from.

Thank you
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com

Carry and Camp Knife ML Knives

2012-01-23T14:13:00.000-08:00

Originally Posted on the March 22nd, 2009

I had a few minutes this week and with the warmer weather coming to grab one of my personal camp knives and use it for awhile. I have had this knife for years and it goes on most of my hunting, hiking outdoors trips. The knife is my hudson bay camp knife, with a double pinned aged walnut handle. Forged 1095 high carbon. I attached a small video clip link for all of you to enjoy.

Thank you
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com

Tiger Maple on a forged knife

2012-01-23T14:04:00.000-08:00

Originally Posted on the February 15th, 2009

Tiger Maple is a very beautiful wood. Also one of my favorites to use for handle material. It is often referred to as many different things such as. Flame Maple, fiddle back maple, figured maple, curly maple, fancy maple and so on. Personally I simply call it “Tiger Maple.”

No doubt this is a figured wood no matter how you look at it or call it. Tiger maple grows in a distinctive wave pattern. Although It is questioned by some what exactly causes this figure, it is not exactly clear what causes this effect in the wood but when tiger maple is cross cut a striping is exposed that is very nice.

This wood is very durable and has been used for many years in the making of many things. Through the years gun stocks, tomahawk handles, game calls, guitar body's, pool cues, and more have been made from this wood. During the 18th century large amounts of furniture left the shops of talented craftsmen produced from this wood.

thank you for reading
Matt
ML Knives
http://www.mlknives.com/