A Custom Whittling Knife

I'm excited.

After a long time admiring the hand-forged blades of ML Knives, I've finally placed an order. ML has a reputation for making top quality knives with a classic frontier look. Many are antique in appearance, all are works of art.

The knife I've decided on is the "Woodcarver/Whittler" model, a 2" blade mounted on a 4 1/2" tiger maple handle. The blade will be hand forged from high carbon 1095 steel, a steel known for it's ease of sharpening and excellent edge retention. I asked for the addition of a pin for a little extra steel-to-wood security. Plus I think it will look nice. ML Knives is a one-man operation out of Hagaman NY, and the ETA for my knife is expected at a little over one month.

Hate Spoons

Here's a different sort of take on the Welsh lovespoon. I guess when a spoon represents a cartoon dead face with a weapon jabbed into it, it's a hate spoon. I carved these from basswood, and let them soak overnight in linseed oil.

Happy Independence Day!

Chester the chicken wishes you a happy 4th of July. God Bless America!

Grizzledude

Here's one I did a while back. Grizzledude, an adorable and slimy little skull, is the star of the wildly popular webcomic Imaginary Monsters, by Peter Lazarski. The G-dude and his pals adventure through a fantastical dungeon brimming with she-devils, friendly monsters, weird mushroom spores, magic, and angry, sandwich-bearing knights. It's a wild ride and I look forward to each new strip. Best of all, this comic is family friendly!

I carved this version of Grizzledude for Pete's birthday.

I chose the 'dude's most triumphant pose. Behold my sandwich, ye mighty, and tremble!