About the Maker's
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| Left with his Son Chase at the Novi, Michigan Wolverine Knife Show. Picture taken in April of 2008 |
By trade I am a machinist and tool and die maker, have been since I was 14 working
my grandpa gave all of the grandsons a Barlow for Christmas. I have a sack full of
dime store knives I "collected". About 6 years ago I met Jim Behring at a knife show
and purchased my first custom knife from him. As the years past I started to collect
his knives exclusively. 3 years ago I decided to make a knife of my own. after many
days of trying to come up with a style I kept coming back to the Scagel style. The
lines just flow natural and the Scagel style is exclusive all its own, no matter who
makes them they are always different.
I asked Jim what seemed like a million questions on making knives and he answered
every one without hesitation. I have never been to Jim's shop, we have talked about it
many times but it never seems to work out as he is VERY busy. I have studied his
knifes for hours at how they flow, as I believe he makes the sweetest knife bar none,
as you can tell by my style they emulate his.
I just went to my first knife show at Novi, Michigan in the Spring of 2006, I brought
17 knives and sold every one by Sunday morning! I was very taken back in disbelief,
maker out there but I feel I am as dedicated as any of them. I spend from 6 pm to 2
am in the shop through the week and most waking hours on weekends. I have been
told many times I do not charge enough for my knives, I feel I charge plenty. I am not
into making knives for the sake of making the big money, I make knives because I
have grown to love making knives. I like that the biggest share of my customers are
the average working man who works 3 weekends of overtime to come to a show on
the fourth weekend to buy a custom knife they can proudly wear into hunting camp,
just like I have done and still do to this day.
my grandpa gave all of the grandsons a Barlow for Christmas. I have a sack full of
dime store knives I "collected". About 6 years ago I met Jim Behring at a knife show
and purchased my first custom knife from him. As the years past I started to collect
his knives exclusively. 3 years ago I decided to make a knife of my own. after many
days of trying to come up with a style I kept coming back to the Scagel style. The
lines just flow natural and the Scagel style is exclusive all its own, no matter who
makes them they are always different.
I asked Jim what seemed like a million questions on making knives and he answered
every one without hesitation. I have never been to Jim's shop, we have talked about it
many times but it never seems to work out as he is VERY busy. I have studied his
knifes for hours at how they flow, as I believe he makes the sweetest knife bar none,
as you can tell by my style they emulate his.
I just went to my first knife show at Novi, Michigan in the Spring of 2006, I brought
17 knives and sold every one by Sunday morning! I was very taken back in disbelief,
maker out there but I feel I am as dedicated as any of them. I spend from 6 pm to 2
am in the shop through the week and most waking hours on weekends. I have been
told many times I do not charge enough for my knives, I feel I charge plenty. I am not
into making knives for the sake of making the big money, I make knives because I
have grown to love making knives. I like that the biggest share of my customers are
the average working man who works 3 weekends of overtime to come to a show on
the fourth weekend to buy a custom knife they can proudly wear into hunting camp,
just like I have done and still do to this day.
Gordon Graham
My name is Gordon Graham and I am a Journeyman
bladesmith with the American Bladesmith Society. I am a
native Texan of Bowie County, which is located in the
northeast part of the state. This area is rich in the history of
James Bowie and the knife that was named after him.
bladesmith with the American Bladesmith Society. I am a
native Texan of Bowie County, which is located in the
northeast part of the state. This area is rich in the history of
James Bowie and the knife that was named after him.
Click on "photo" for Link to Gordon's Website
My adventure into bladesmithing began in 1980 when I put together a blacksmith shop. At first I
fashioned 18th century reproduction ironwork. Things like fireplace tools and anything to do with a
serious black powder shooter.
In May of 1984 I attended the first Piney Wood Hammer-in which was held in Old Washington, Ark. It
was at this meeting that I met Bill Moran and the three other founding members of the American
Bladesmith Society. There were many of the soon to be great knife makers present. It was the beginning
of my quest for a craft that has brought much satisfaction in my life.
In early 2001 I began attending monthly meetings at Al Lawrence’s knife supply in De Queen Ark. There
are many Master smiths that teach each month on aspects of proper knife construction. Masters like
Jerry Fisk, Mike Williams, J.R. Cook, Jim Walker, Roger Massey and Jerry Lairson give their time and
talent each month. I would like to give credit to two bladesmiths, Charles Stout and Mike Ruth who made
a tremendous impact in helping me accomplish a Journeyman level in the A.B.S. in June 2006.
I currently produce knives made of 5160 and 1080-tool steel. I forge my own Damascus, which is made of
5160 - 15n20 and 1080 - 15n20. Handle material varies from dessert ironwood, burl maple and stag. I
like to use stainless steel for my hardware, but I also use nickel silver and wrought iron. All of my knives
are performance tested before leaving my shop. Some have been field tested by professional outfitters in
Colorado. The results were excellent.
My desire is to always improve my skills and to be elevated by the association of the many great
bladesmiths in my region. Someday I hope to be one of the Masters.
fashioned 18th century reproduction ironwork. Things like fireplace tools and anything to do with a
serious black powder shooter.
In May of 1984 I attended the first Piney Wood Hammer-in which was held in Old Washington, Ark. It
was at this meeting that I met Bill Moran and the three other founding members of the American
Bladesmith Society. There were many of the soon to be great knife makers present. It was the beginning
of my quest for a craft that has brought much satisfaction in my life.
In early 2001 I began attending monthly meetings at Al Lawrence’s knife supply in De Queen Ark. There
are many Master smiths that teach each month on aspects of proper knife construction. Masters like
Jerry Fisk, Mike Williams, J.R. Cook, Jim Walker, Roger Massey and Jerry Lairson give their time and
talent each month. I would like to give credit to two bladesmiths, Charles Stout and Mike Ruth who made
a tremendous impact in helping me accomplish a Journeyman level in the A.B.S. in June 2006.
I currently produce knives made of 5160 and 1080-tool steel. I forge my own Damascus, which is made of
5160 - 15n20 and 1080 - 15n20. Handle material varies from dessert ironwood, burl maple and stag. I
like to use stainless steel for my hardware, but I also use nickel silver and wrought iron. All of my knives
are performance tested before leaving my shop. Some have been field tested by professional outfitters in
Colorado. The results were excellent.
My desire is to always improve my skills and to be elevated by the association of the many great
bladesmiths in my region. Someday I hope to be one of the Masters.
| Ron Welling |
Raised in Grand Haven, Michigan, knives have always played an
important role in Ron Welling's life. He recalls butchering and
dressing-out chickens on his family's farm when he was just 10 years
of age. Across the road, neighbors operated a slaughter house so
young Welling often hung around watching the activity, fascinated by
the expert work of the blade handlers.
By the age of 13, he began a lifelong career as a meat cutter, working
full-time status. Two years later found him butchering cattle at
Gemmens Slaughter House; later moving to Allendale Beef. Prior to
retirement, he completed a 30-year stint as a meat cutter at Meijer
Stores.
Welling became highly skilled in the use of the knife. It was not
uncommon for this man to put in a long shift at work, then come home
to relax by hammering steel for shoeing horses. In this manner, forge
work eventually evolved into his desire to hand-create fine knives.
important role in Ron Welling's life. He recalls butchering and
dressing-out chickens on his family's farm when he was just 10 years
of age. Across the road, neighbors operated a slaughter house so
young Welling often hung around watching the activity, fascinated by
the expert work of the blade handlers.
By the age of 13, he began a lifelong career as a meat cutter, working
full-time status. Two years later found him butchering cattle at
Gemmens Slaughter House; later moving to Allendale Beef. Prior to
retirement, he completed a 30-year stint as a meat cutter at Meijer
Stores.
Welling became highly skilled in the use of the knife. It was not
uncommon for this man to put in a long shift at work, then come home
to relax by hammering steel for shoeing horses. In this manner, forge
work eventually evolved into his desire to hand-create fine knives.
During a 1994 visit to Montana, a friend taught Ron the basics of knife-making. "It just seemed natural that
my knife-making evolved, affording an outlet for my creativity. Having been in the butchering business most of
my life, I learned to feel in my hand both balance and form needed to make a serviceable 'working' knife."
mailbox post marks the driveway to a cedar log cabin. Most afternoons, at the end of the drive, its Just off the
shore of Potawatomi Bayou in Grand Haven near Lake Michigan, an aging wagon-wheel builder and owner,
Ron Welling, can be found drafting his original design and Scagel-style hand-forged knives.
He quickly grasped the concept of the "Scagel Curve" and has steadily improved his blade smithing and
finishing and handle construction to a point where his work is now of superior workmanship and a real credit to
the works of the late, great master, William Scagel.
Ron Welling's beautiful and artistic knives, custom presentation boxes, and unique and detailed leather sheaths
are all works of art that are prized by collectors in the United States and Europe.
my knife-making evolved, affording an outlet for my creativity. Having been in the butchering business most of
my life, I learned to feel in my hand both balance and form needed to make a serviceable 'working' knife."
mailbox post marks the driveway to a cedar log cabin. Most afternoons, at the end of the drive, its Just off the
shore of Potawatomi Bayou in Grand Haven near Lake Michigan, an aging wagon-wheel builder and owner,
Ron Welling, can be found drafting his original design and Scagel-style hand-forged knives.
He quickly grasped the concept of the "Scagel Curve" and has steadily improved his blade smithing and
finishing and handle construction to a point where his work is now of superior workmanship and a real credit to
the works of the late, great master, William Scagel.
Ron Welling's beautiful and artistic knives, custom presentation boxes, and unique and detailed leather sheaths
are all works of art that are prized by collectors in the United States and Europe.
John Howser
Knife Making seemed to be a natural hobby. I continued this trend until I
met Tony Bose whose traditional pattern knives are incredible, Tony
graciously gave me several patterns of slip joints models. Over the years
he has been a mentor and was always happy to share his knowledge and
help in my work. Today I continue making the traditional knife patterns and
Lord willing will make them until I become unable to do so. I attempt to
improve each knife made and strive for perfection.
met Tony Bose whose traditional pattern knives are incredible, Tony
graciously gave me several patterns of slip joints models. Over the years
he has been a mentor and was always happy to share his knowledge and
help in my work. Today I continue making the traditional knife patterns and
Lord willing will make them until I become unable to do so. I attempt to
improve each knife made and strive for perfection.
| Mike Malosh |
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