Customer Photo, Another Gunmaker, and Christmas Knives

Here's another customer photo. This gentleman has been using one of my Semi-Skinners for over a year and here's what he has to say about it:

"I have used other custom knife makers in the past, and truly use and enjoy putting Lee's knives to the task at hand.  I normally carry them in his leather sheaths, in a pocket on my camo backpack, instead of my belt - my preference only.  

I recently used his semi--skinner on a Texas Axis deer, skinning and deboning it there w/o touching up the edge.  Then, the other day, I used in on an IL Whitetail prior to loading it in the truck.  It still is holding an edge - a great testament to his knowledge of steel and sharpening.  Thank you, Lee...!"

WS

JJ Perodeau Gunmaker

If you follow my blog, you have probably figured out that I am fascinated by really good gunmakers. I enjoyed watching this video about JJ Perodeau and wanted to share it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyxmYw5pneU

Christmas Knives

This pair will be going into the mail in time to arrive for Christmas. The knife on the left is my Semi-Skinner and the knife on the right is a Drop Point Hunter. Both knives have handles of very nice high contrast Desert Ironwood. I bought around $200 worth of scales before I got the pair you are looking at. Because of this I have several really nice sets if someone is looking for a custom knife with ironwood scales.

My goal is to offer the absolute best working knives available to today's hunters. If you are interested in purchasing one of these knives or commissioning a custom knife of proven design and construction, used by some of the world's most experienced hunters, I can be reached at:
baumgartknives@gmail.com


Lee

Jigged Bone

I like to try different materials, so I purchased some jigged bone scales and have made a couple of knives using them. At one time this material was used extensively on folding knives and it gives this knife an "old time" look, which I like. I don't want to grind the surface down, losing the jigging, so fitting the pin and thong tube requires more work. Their length need to match the thickness of the scales and blade and those short pieces of brass get hot really quick when they are ground. The process for fitting them is - Put them in place, too long!, grind a tiny bit off, play "hot potato" with piece of brass, let cool, and repeat process until it is right. I also eliminate one of the pins because I want the jigging emphasized.

Here's one of the finished knives. The size of the scales, as received, limit their use to the Small Drop Point Hunter (pictured below) and the Caping/Bird and Trout knife.

If you would like to purchase one of these knives or commission a custom knife, I can be reached at baumgartknives@gmail.com



Dewey Vicknair's Restoration Blog

I've been following Dewey Vicknair's blog for a while and am amazed by his ability whether he is performing a full blown restoration or creating replacement parts which appear simple to a layman but in reality are extremely complex. http://vicknairgunsmithing.blogspot.com/

My Knives

It's been a while since I started this blog, so I thought it might be of value to those reading it to reintroduce my knives.

I started making knives part-time about four years ago. Bob Loveless' book, "How to Make Knives" introduced me to knife making and gave me my start. Over the past four years my ability has improved and many of my methods have changed, but my goal from the very first knife to my most current knife has been consistent: To make the best working knives currently available. 

Initially, all my knives were made from O1 tool steel and I used a variety of different woods for the handles. In January of this year I switched to Crucible's stainless CPM154CM because of its ability to retain an edge, its relative ease of sharpening compared to some of the "super" steels, and its ability to resist corrosion. I grind all my blades free-hand from precision ground flat stock without the use of jigs or fixtures. With the exception of heat treating and cryogenic tempering, all work- blade, handle, and sheath is performed solely by me. In my shop I have a drill press, a band saw, a disc sander, and a 2x72 grinder. You won't find a Water-Jet cutter or CNC machines in my shop, everything is done by hand.

I have started to gravitate away from wood and to Micarta for handles. I will still work with wood (preference being Desert Ironwood), but I have seen what Western Washington's rain storms do to a wooden handle that wasn't dried after use. I reconditioned that knife back to new, but that incident was the catalyst for moving towards Micarta. I do, however,  like to periodically try different materials and have some jigged bone scales in the shop waiting for caping/ bird and trout blades to return from heat treat.

My sheaths are made in-house. I use 8/9 oz leather and each sheath is hand stitched. Like my knives, the sheaths have evolved over time. Each sheath is wet-formed to the specific knife for retention and there is a small cam built into the welt as an additional aid in knife retention. My sheaths are relatively plain, as I'm not sure how a wet-formed sheath can be tooled. Like the late Bob Loveless, I am more interested in retaining the knife in the sheath than fancy tooling of the leather. The final step I employ with every sheath is to heat the sheath and apply a liberal amount of leather conditioner containing bee's wax. This temporarily softens the sheath, allowing me work the sheath to the knife one last time. Of course the conditioner also waterproofs the sheath.

My knives have been used extensively by a group of very experienced hunters in North America, Africa, and Asia. My methods and material use continue to evolve, but my goal remains the same. If you are interested in purchasing a custom knife, I can be reached at baumgartknives@gmail.com

Lee

Another Knife in Africa

Another of my knives has traveled to the Dark Continent. This knife is a Semi-Skinner with Desert Ironwood handle. I'm told the skinners and trackers coveted it. Details of this hunt can be found at   http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6321043/m/4801082332

09/17/17 Update:
This gentlemen has purchased a second knife. I've had a large number of repeat customers.To me, this says a lot about the performance and quality of my knives.

Available Knife

This is my original Large Drop Point Hunter pattern. Unlike the first knives which were made using O1 tool steel, this knife features Crucible's stainless CPM154CM. The specs are as follows:

Blade Length: 3 3/4"
Handle Length: 4"
Handle: Natural Canvas Micarta, Red Liners, and Mosaic pins.
Steel: .125" CPM154CM, Satin Finished
Included is a hand-stitched 8/9 oz leather sheath

THIS KNIFE IS SOLD

My goal is to offer the absolute best working knives available to today's hunters. If you are interested in purchasing one of these knives or commissioning a custom knife of proven design and construction, used by some of the world's most experienced hunters, I can be reached at: baumgartknives@gmail.com

Lee

Currently Available

The two knives below are available.

Top Knife- Semi-Skinner
Blade Length: 3 3/4"
Handle Length: 4"
Blade Steel: .125" CPM154, RHC61, Satin Finish
Handle Material: Black Linen Micarta, Red Liners, Mosaic Pins,

SOLD-Bottom Knife- Drop Point Hunter-SOLD
Blade length: 3 3/4"
Handle length: 4"
Handle: Olive Canvas Micarta, Red Liners, Brass Guard and Mosaic Pins
Steel: .125" CPM154, 61RHC, Satin Finished

Each knife comes with a hand-stitched 8/9 oz. leather sheath

$329.00 each, shipping included within the U.S.

My goal is to offer the absolute best working knives available to today's hunters. If you are interested in purchasing one of these knives or commissioning a custom knife of proven design and construction, used by some of the world's most experienced hunters, I can be reached at: baumgartknives@gmail.com

Lee

John Rigby & Co., London

My wife and I just returned from a two week vacation in London and Paris. On one of our "off days" in London, my wife remained at the hotel and I took to the "tubes" for a visit of the John Rigby and Co. showroom and workshop.

After a short subway ride and walk through several London neighborhoods, I arrived at 13-19 Pensbury Place.

My visit was unannounced, but I couldn't have received a warmer welcome. I was allowed to freely wander the workshop and showroom. Rigby's staff was extremely friendly, took the time to answer my many questions, and brought out many rifles in various states of completion for me to view. Below are several photos of the workers and the workshop.

In the showroom I was allowed to handle a number of new and vintage Rigby rifles and view mementos of the hunt.

A real highlight was being able to handle Jim Corbett's 275 Rigby Mauser.

I would like thank the Rigby staff for their hospitality, the tea we shared, and the totally unexpected gift of the book, "Rigby A Grand Tradition".

Gentlemen, Thank you.

Rigby is most definitely back!

Lee

Available Drop Point Hunter

I just completed this Drop Point Hunter this morning. Specs. are as follows:

Blade length: 3 3/4"
Handle length: 4"
Handle: Olive Canvas Micarta, Red Liners, Brass Guard and Mosaic Pins
Steel: .125" CPM154, 61RHC, Satin Finished
Sheath: Hand Stitched 8/9oz Leather

THIS KNIFE IS SOLD

The bottom knife in this photo is also available.

Its specs. are:

Blade Length: 3 3/4"
Handle Length: 4"
Blade Steel: .125" CPM154, RHC61, Satin Finish
Handle Material: Black Linen Micarta, Red Liners, Mosaic Pins.

This knife also comes with a hand-stitched 8/9 oz leather sheath.

$359.00, shipping included within the U.S.


To date, my knives have been used extensively in North America, Africa, and Asia. One African PH referred to my knife as a "Bloody Proper Knife" after it quickly removed an elephant's tail. My knives have also received very positive comments from some of today's most accomplished full-time knife makers.

My goal is to offer the absolute best working knives available to today's hunters. If you are interested in purchasing one of these knives or commissioning a custom knife of proven design and construction, used by some of the world's most experienced hunters, I can be reached at: baumgartknives@gmail.com

Lee

Two Semi-Skinners Available

These Semi-Skinners are currently available

****THE TOP KNIFE IS SOLD*******

Blade Length: 3 3/4"
Handle Length: 4"
Blade Steel: .125" CPM154, RHC61, Satin Finish

Top Knife Handle Material: Desert Ironwood, Red Liners, Mosaic Pins

Bottom Knife Handle Material: Black Linen Micarta, Red Liners, Mosaic Pins,

This knife comes with a hand-stitched 8/9 oz leather sheath.

$359.00, shipping included within the US.

My goal is to offer the absolute best working knives available to today's hunters. If you are interested in purchasing one of these knives or commissioning a custom knife of proven design and construction, used by some of the world's most experienced hunters, I can be reached at: baumgartknives@gmail.com

Lee

Semi-Skinners on their way...

The first of the "new style" Semi-Skinners blades were delivered to the Heat Treater on Friday. I'm hoping to have them back in a week or so and should have a couple knives available shortly after.
Until then, here are the comments that were shared with me by the owners of the first "new style" Drop Point Hunters to leave my shop.

"I received silver and black on Thursday. WOW, beautiful example of functional art. Flawless fit and finish." 
G.M. 02/26/17

Photo by owner

"The knife is sublime."
R.J. 02/07/17

Links to threads on the Accurate Reloading forum where both these knives were displayed:

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5021043/m/1251061922

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5021043/m/1471023922

My goal is to offer the absolute best working knives available to today's hunters. If you are interested in commissioning a custom knife of proven design and construction, used by some of the world's most experienced hunters, I can be reached at: baumgartknives@gmail.com

Lee

Silver and Black

Continuing in the direction laid out in my last post, the latest knife to come out of my little shop.

The specs on this Drop Point Hunter are as follows:
Blade Length- 3 3/4"
Handle Length- 4"
Handle Material- Black Canvas Micarta, Red Liners, Nickle Silver Guard and Pins
Steel- .125" CPM154 61RHC
Included is a hand-stitched 8/9 oz leather sheath

SOLD

My goal is to offer the absolute best working knives available to today's hunters. If you are interested in commissioning a custom knife of proven design and construction, used by some of the world's most experienced hunters, I can be reached at:   baumgartknives@gmail.com

Lee

A Slightly Different Direction

Over the past three years I have designed and made knives of basically the same style. I won't say I have mastered the style, but I will say I got to the point that I didn't feel challenged. This year I am going in a slightly different direction.

The biggest change for me in 2017 is the switch from high carbon O1 tool steel to a "state of the art" powdered metal stainless steel manufactured by Crucible- CPM154. This is a change I have wanted to make for a bit and have finally done it. I settled upon CPM154 after reading the results of a comparative steel test in Blade Magazine and investigating a number of different steels. There are a couple of steels that have greater edge retention than CPM154, but they are extremely difficult to sharpen. I wanted a steel that would retain its edge and perform in the field, but could still be sharpened by the user. Here are the specs for CPM154  http://www.crucible.com/PDFs/DataSheets2010/Datasheet%20CPM%20154%20CMv12010.pdf
The only downside to the switch in steel is the increased cost of the steel and the increased cost associated with heat treatment and cryogenic tempering.

I referenced change number two in my introductory paragraph. This year I am going to focus on what would be considered a Loveless style knife. The designs are my own and feature guards of brass, nickel silver, or stainless steel. This type of knife takes more time for me to construct and requires a number of tasks my previous knives didn't.. Bottom-line, they provide a greater challenge for me. As of right now, I have developed three different designs- a Drop Point Hunter, a Semi-Skinner, and a Caping/Bird and Trout knife. All these knives will be made using CPM154.

Below is my first knife of the year. This is the Drop Point Hunter.
Specs are as follows:
Blade Length- 3 3/4"
Handle Length- 4"
Handle Material- Natural Canvas, Mosaic Pins
Steel- .125" CPM154 61RHC
Included is a hand-stitched 8/9 oz leather sheath

THIS KNIFE IS SOLD

My goal is to offer the absolute best working knives available to today's hunters. If you are interested in commissioning a custom knife of proven design and construction, used by some of the world's most experienced hunters, I can be reached at baumgartknives@gmail.com

Lee

Customer Photo- Washington Whitetail

This photo was sent to me by a customer who purchased some of my very first knives and was the first person to place a custom order with me. The Whitetail was taken in SE Washington by his son-in-law and the Semi-Skinner used, commissioned a couple of years ago, is still performing flawlessly.

R.R., Thank you for sharing the photo.

My knives have been used in North America, Africa, and Asia by an ever increasing group of experienced hunters. If you are interested in purchasing a knife of proven design and construction I can be reached at baumgartknives@gmail.com