Good evening gentlemen, I'm very new to knifemaking and this web site. Mostly I'll be a lurker as I'm here to soak up as much as possible about knives in general. I won't be making knives as I'm an engraver (51 years this summer). Mr. Travis Daniels knows me as does Ron Best .... who I am presently engraving a knife for. Wouldn't you know it, my first knife with Ron and it's made entirely from 440 stainless. The scroll is a rather dense pattern with very little background to raise the value of the knife, background is remove to a .10 depth. If I had of known how tough this 440 was I might have had second thoughts, oh well, it's now half done. Travis will be putting together a special knife for me to do after the Atlanta knife show. I'm thinking a gold eagles head on one side and a hawk on the other.
Please bear with me if I ask (and I expect to) some stupid questions. I'll try not to try your patience with my lack of knowledge. Best regards to all, Ken

Welcome aboard, Ken.

My Father gave me some good advice a long time ago. He told me the only stupid question is the one you never ask. With that said, go ahead and ask whatever questions you have.

Post some pics of your engraving sometime.

Thanks and well put Mr. Barry. I see you hail from Danville, Va. ---- I spent many years in the Lynchburg area. At one time I owned a company there , specializing in hand engraving. Many of my former students/apprentist still live and work there. Best regards, ken

For those of you who do not know Ken, I must tell you that the man is extremely talented. He not only had his own company, but did most of the engraving for COLT for a long time .He also taught Jesse Houser whom we all know at MCC. I have asked to host our OCT. meeting and Ken is going to be here for a demo. I hope you all get the opportunity to meet Ken and even get him to do some engraving for your knives. Ihave the new vic president
of the NCCKG and another of our members coming to my shop this coming weekend and we will be visiting KEN. Barry give me a call before WED. Trav

Welcome Ken look forward to meeting you.

I'd like to meet Ken, but do I have to come to your shop Trav? :D Welcome Ken.

Hey guys, thanks for the warm welcome ! I live in Robersonville, 20 miles north of Greenville. If you come down 64 east & take the exit, I live sraight down the street 1.4 miles. It's easy as I live on 303 S. main st. I'd be happy to see any of y'all if you are ever in my area. You won't be a bother as I love visitors & work in shop seven days a week. Just give me a call ahead of time at 910-221-5288.

I intend on being at Mr. Travis' shop for the Oct meeting. While there I will demonstrate knife engraving & the inlaying of a hawks head in gold with required bulino detail work to match an eagles gold bust on opposite side of bolster. Hope to see y'all there.

Welcome Ken, I just joined last meeting and haven't made many knives for the last 8 years. Now that I'm getting back into making again I'll be needing a engraver.

I do have a little question, If I was to have a blade engraved do you do it before heat treat?? I'v never had a blade engraved but just thought I'd like to have one done that way.

Thanks, Art

Hi Art, the blade would be cut befor it is heat treated. Please give me a call re. your engraving interest , I would certainly enjoy talking to you about this. If you have any pictures of knives you've made, I'd like to see your work. Give me a call this evening and perhaps we can do a trade ---- who knows ? I'm just finishing a knife for Ron Best & will start another one for Travis Daniels after the Atlanta show. If you were to send me one now, I might have it finished before the show. Ken.... kenhurst@suddenlink.net

Ken, welcome to the friendly world of the knifemaker!! I have a lot of friends that are members of the NC guild (Travis Daniels in particular) although I am a member of the Georgia guild. I am a sheathmaker and elderly (Mature?) like yourself. It has been one of the pleasures of my life to have been associated with talented craftsmen like knifemakers.
P.S. When you see that old faht Travis again, remind him he is long overdue at my shop and a jam session with the Patricks-----------Sandy

Sandy --- I certainlt will for your sake as well a I'll congure up a story to make him feel bad about not staying in touch ---- He jerks my chain every chance he gets, So all's fair in love & war. Trav is a good ol fart & loads of fun to be around. I was hoping to see him this week end but he has other plans. I'll get the word to him iffn he doesn't see it here & respond. Thanks, Ken