About the Maker's
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I have been making knives very
seriously since 1971 and have been
a member of The Knifemaker's Guild
since 1973. My work has been
featured in all major cutlery
publications and is displayed at 8-10
shows per year. BRITTON knives
world...most notably as part of the
issue to the palace guard
detachment in Ivory Coast, Africa.
I have virtually all of the
"supersteels" in my shop and
access to others for your special
needs.
seriously since 1971 and have been
a member of The Knifemaker's Guild
since 1973. My work has been
featured in all major cutlery
publications and is displayed at 8-10
shows per year. BRITTON knives
world...most notably as part of the
issue to the palace guard
detachment in Ivory Coast, Africa.
I have virtually all of the
"supersteels" in my shop and
access to others for your special
needs.
All handle materials, from lapis lazuli to Fiji fire pearl to the most common canvas
micarta is handpicked by me from suppliers at shows or in their shops. You are
assured of the finest steel, hand-picked premium handle materials and my
unconditional money back guarantee in the event that you are not completely satisfied
with your BRITTON knife.
micarta is handpicked by me from suppliers at shows or in their shops. You are
assured of the finest steel, hand-picked premium handle materials and my
unconditional money back guarantee in the event that you are not completely satisfied
with your BRITTON knife.
Tim Britton
| Click on "photo" for link to Tim's website |
Thad Buchanan
I started making knives in 1986 when Bill Harsey invited me to
work with him in his shop. I attended my first knife show in 1987
where I won Best New Maker award at the OKCA show. After that I
was hooked, I spent as much time in the shop as I could and made
a point of attending a show every few months.
work with him in his shop. I attended my first knife show in 1987
where I won Best New Maker award at the OKCA show. After that I
was hooked, I spent as much time in the shop as I could and made
a point of attending a show every few months.
knives for local customers and the slower pace allowed me to focus on improving the quality of my work. I
was fortunate to live in a location with several accomplished makers. The three who helped me the most
three makers and I am grateful for their willingness to share their hard earned expertise.
In 2005 I retired from a career in law enforcement and was able to realize my long time dream of making
knives on a full time basis. My wife, Melissa, and I moved to Central Oregon soon after my retirement. Since
then we have been attending knife shows around the country and having a great time. We've been blessed
with a thriving business and many new friends. As far as activities go, knife making is second only to my
love of hunting birds with my dogs Cooper and Gus. That one tops ‘em all.
For the past two decades I have been making high quality knives to meet the performance demands of
outdoor use, but my plans for the future include making a wider variety of knives using exotic materials for
the collector market. The pictures on this site represent a sampling of my current work. You’ll see I like
clean, elegant designs that are well executed. Fit and finish are as important to me as form and function. I
like using Crucible CPM steels for their performance qualities, but I’ve also recently used some of Devin
Thomas’ Damascus and was pleased with it as well. I use both synthetic and natural handle materials.
was fortunate to live in a location with several accomplished makers. The three who helped me the most
three makers and I am grateful for their willingness to share their hard earned expertise.
In 2005 I retired from a career in law enforcement and was able to realize my long time dream of making
knives on a full time basis. My wife, Melissa, and I moved to Central Oregon soon after my retirement. Since
then we have been attending knife shows around the country and having a great time. We've been blessed
with a thriving business and many new friends. As far as activities go, knife making is second only to my
love of hunting birds with my dogs Cooper and Gus. That one tops ‘em all.
For the past two decades I have been making high quality knives to meet the performance demands of
outdoor use, but my plans for the future include making a wider variety of knives using exotic materials for
the collector market. The pictures on this site represent a sampling of my current work. You’ll see I like
clean, elegant designs that are well executed. Fit and finish are as important to me as form and function. I
like using Crucible CPM steels for their performance qualities, but I’ve also recently used some of Devin
Thomas’ Damascus and was pleased with it as well. I use both synthetic and natural handle materials.
Click on "photo" for link to Thad's website
Jerry Halfrich
I’ve always had a keen interest in knives, guns, hunting and fishing, which
all seem to go hand-in-hand. Knives have always played a role in my life
whether it be dressing and skinning small or large game, cleaning fish, or
whittling on a chunk of wood for amusement. In my younger years as an
Eagle Scout I used knives in various activities and for 25 years knives were
in constant use in my explosives business, and they still serve me when I’m
guiding in South Texas or taking care of my own animals on a hunt in Alaska
or in the Rocky Mountains.
all seem to go hand-in-hand. Knives have always played a role in my life
whether it be dressing and skinning small or large game, cleaning fish, or
whittling on a chunk of wood for amusement. In my younger years as an
Eagle Scout I used knives in various activities and for 25 years knives were
in constant use in my explosives business, and they still serve me when I’m
guiding in South Texas or taking care of my own animals on a hunt in Alaska
or in the Rocky Mountains.
My knives are geared towards use. I make knives that will work in several applications from tactical to the
hunting field, and investment-grade knives on request. My knives are made first and foremost for
performance and user comfort. They are cutting instruments designed specifically for a given task. You'll
notice that the bevels are ground thin and the cutting edge is very fine. Sharpness and performance
exceeds most of my customers' expectations.
The greatest challenge I've found in knifemaking is blending comfort with form and function, so what you'll
find in my knives is a reflection of my taste in design, and a knife that performs an intended task with great
ease.
hunting field, and investment-grade knives on request. My knives are made first and foremost for
performance and user comfort. They are cutting instruments designed specifically for a given task. You'll
notice that the bevels are ground thin and the cutting edge is very fine. Sharpness and performance
exceeds most of my customers' expectations.
The greatest challenge I've found in knifemaking is blending comfort with form and function, so what you'll
find in my knives is a reflection of my taste in design, and a knife that performs an intended task with great
ease.
| Click on "photo" for Jerry's Website |
Jim Downs
Hand crafting custom knives has been a passion of mine for 27 years.
As a veteran gunsmith, knifemaking appealed to me with the promise of
creating something more uniquely my own. The idea of starting with a blank
bar of steel, then adding patterns I designed myself, cutting out a quality
blade and grinding and finishing it into a custom knife was a challenge that
really inspired me.
After talking at length to other makers and reading a lot of books, I made and
sold my first knives around 1980, and after that, I never looked back.
As a veteran gunsmith, knifemaking appealed to me with the promise of
creating something more uniquely my own. The idea of starting with a blank
bar of steel, then adding patterns I designed myself, cutting out a quality
blade and grinding and finishing it into a custom knife was a challenge that
really inspired me.
After talking at length to other makers and reading a lot of books, I made and
sold my first knives around 1980, and after that, I never looked back.
These days, at my shop in Powell, Ohio I make about 200 custom knives a year for special orders and sell
Folders, Bowies, Boot knives and fighting knives.
I design and cut my blades from Damascus, S30V Stainless steel, ATS34 Stainless steel and 440C
Stainless steel, and personally heat-treat Damascus knives. In my opinion, a good clean grind and a well-
finished blade is the most important part of any knife; if you have this the rest of the knife will fall into place
and be good-looking.
I particularly enjoy designing and making handles from exotic hardwoods, stag, ivories, bone and pearl. All
told, it can take about 20 to 25 hours to make a folder. I out source scrimshaw and engraving to talented
local artists who help bring my designs to life.
For extra decoration on some models, I’ve added jewels like amethyst, citrine, topaz, tiger eye, peridot and
diamonds. Primarily, these are set in the thumb bobs, but on occasion I’ve used pearl and tiger eye inlayed
in the handles. I’ve sold knives to collectors all over the continental US, as well as Australia, Japan and
Sweden. My knives have won a number of awards at shows in Ohio and Michigan, but what’s much more
gratifying to me the satisfaction of my customers, often expressed through their repeat business.
The gallery on this site spotlights a few models I’ve already created and sold. They should give you an
idea of some of the elements that can be combined to create your knife.
I will make any knife to your specifications. Pricing varies depending on the materials chosen for the
blades, liners and handles, and whether file work is involved. Please feel free to contact me by phone or e-
mail.
Folders, Bowies, Boot knives and fighting knives.
I design and cut my blades from Damascus, S30V Stainless steel, ATS34 Stainless steel and 440C
Stainless steel, and personally heat-treat Damascus knives. In my opinion, a good clean grind and a well-
finished blade is the most important part of any knife; if you have this the rest of the knife will fall into place
and be good-looking.
I particularly enjoy designing and making handles from exotic hardwoods, stag, ivories, bone and pearl. All
told, it can take about 20 to 25 hours to make a folder. I out source scrimshaw and engraving to talented
local artists who help bring my designs to life.
For extra decoration on some models, I’ve added jewels like amethyst, citrine, topaz, tiger eye, peridot and
diamonds. Primarily, these are set in the thumb bobs, but on occasion I’ve used pearl and tiger eye inlayed
in the handles. I’ve sold knives to collectors all over the continental US, as well as Australia, Japan and
Sweden. My knives have won a number of awards at shows in Ohio and Michigan, but what’s much more
gratifying to me the satisfaction of my customers, often expressed through their repeat business.
The gallery on this site spotlights a few models I’ve already created and sold. They should give you an
idea of some of the elements that can be combined to create your knife.
I will make any knife to your specifications. Pricing varies depending on the materials chosen for the
blades, liners and handles, and whether file work is involved. Please feel free to contact me by phone or e-
mail.
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Click on photo for link to Jim's website
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