A Set of custom Straight Back Knives for woodsman and Lovers of vintage Work

This weeks post I have a set of custom order Straight back
style knives to show you.

These were both made with blades about 5 inches in
length and have a beautiful patina on the blades.

The handles have a slight coffin style shape with brass
pins and brass rear lined lanyard hole.  These handles
were also lightly aged and are tiger maple.

Both of the sheath were hand stitched and are a darker
brown color.

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

Vintage knife Work From the Past by Matt Lesniewski

I was recently scanning old photos from years of making knives
for a possible book, and thought I would share this one with you.

This knife must have been made at least 11 years ago maybe longer
and this is the only photo I can find of it at the moment.
If I can find more in the future I will post them.

The blade shape is very unique and one that will lend itself
to many uses.  You can see the tip almost looks like a
butcher tip but at a smaller size and there is a nice
belly to the blade.

I would say the overall blade length being about 3 1/2"
with lots of pattern and patina aging.

The handle is curly maple with some light figure
with a couple brass pins.

Thank you

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

Stag skinner with a nice blade shape..NEW Book Anouncement

Some recent completed work from my shop. 

A drop point custom with a blade about
3 3/4" long.  The spine has hand jimped file work.

Handle is stag with 3 brass pins.  Sheath was
hand stitched and has some custom hand tooling
along the side.

Also I am currently working on a new book that is in the mid stages.  This will

be a very nice photo journal with color photos of custom knives that I have done, 

Some pics never posted before.  This will be vol 1.

I don't know the release date or anything yet but  when I get it completed I will

post info here up on the blog, my website, facebook and more.

Thank you

Matt

ML Knives

http://www.mlknives.com/



How the Selection of Handle material is done

A large percentage of my handle material is wood I cut into scales
myself.  A small percentage I do buy scales. 
Below is a new section of tiger maple for me to work from.

Cutting my own scales does take more time and sometimes can be
difficult.  You never know what you will find when you open up
a piece of wood.

There is allot involved from cutting to flat sanding and fitting but
this also allows me to select each piece of handle material individually. 
If the grain isn't what I'm happy with or if things aren't going good the
wood ends up in my scrap box as you can see below.

Scrap wood that just didn't make the grade or was
from a cut off..

The final results from each piece is very rewarding.  The grain each piece
of wood takes on is very unique and individual.  Below you can see one
of my kephart knives finished in tiger maple with a hand rubbed oil finish.

A custom kephart knife on a new tiger maple board

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

Happy Mothers day to all Mom's