Well the Des Monies Ren-fair is coming up soon, Holly and I are trying to build up our stock of items to sell. Here are a few of the spoons we have been making.

Just finished this little blade, for another KITH, went to Todd Hill in AZ
http://primitivepoint.blogspot.com/

It's forged from a JD cultivator tine, then all the stock removal and finishing was done by hand using files, stones and sandpaper, I used no power tools except for a drill. This one looks a bit "rustic" compared to what I usually do. Finishing a blade without power tools, really makes me appreciate my belt grinder!!





(click thumbnails to view larger pictures )

Well , I haven't posted anything new in a while, been busy with life and house work. But I've had some shop time to crank out these beauties. The viking beer mugs - aka - drinking horns they are polished water buffalo horn , lined with envirotex epoxy, making the perfect funky taste free drinking horn. I've also been studying designs from the book of Kells and Book of Lindisfarne - See Links http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/themes/euromanuscripts/lindisfarne.html
http://www.digitalmedievalist.com/urls/celtmss.html
http://www.proscribe.co.uk/history/manusc01.htm

So I've been using these designs as a starting point for decorating the spoons I'm making too. It's painstaking work with a micro graver and a jewelers loupe, but really fun and challenging.





Oh and I managed to finish a couple of blades , and even sold'em The First is made from an old file with curly maple from the famous Harper Brush Company's scrap pile. The 2'nd is 1084 high carbon in a more traditional sax shape , rather than the more modern wharncliff style. It boasts , brass hardware and an American walnut handle with a red spacer. They sold before I could even make sheaths for them.

Simple Viking leaf shape 7 1/2 " overall 4 " blade, 1" socket opening. Hand forged 1065 med carbon steel, fully hardened and tempered. Hand rubbed 400 grit finish, razor sharp ! $75.00

It's Been Damn Cold Here , was -8 yesterday night , -4 last night , too cold for working in the smithy, so Ive been staying close to the wood stove and making these Cow Horn Spoons with viking / Celtic knotwork designs

This is a Knife I made for another knifemaker, every year I do atleast a few KITH drawings ( Knife In The Hat ) where several knifemakers make a knife, draw names and swap 'em. Making a knife for a knifemaker is always a good challenge I think it pushes me harder.

Here are a few of the blades I made for family members and friends this holiday season.

Here is a blade I just finished, a 4 bar twist composite pattern welded seax, 1084 and 15N20 welded in 5 layers,then drawn out, cut into 4 pieces, twisted, re stacked & welded again. This style of patternwelding is native to northern Europe, used historically by Viking smiths.