Hammer-In This Past Weekend

Hey Folks,

Just thought you all might like to see some images from a Hammer-In that I demonstrated at this past weekend.

Attendance was modest, but it was a beautiful spring day in Idaho, we enjoyed 3 seasons and a potluck liberally seasoned with wild game.

Ray Rantanen demonstrated different types of twists, and how he forges a knife from horseshoes and railroad spikes.

Pawnee, who hosted the Hammer-In, demonstrated tripods and H-pods for Buckskinners and Re-Enactors. He also demonstrated how he makes a period Russian Trade Ulu.

I forged knives, no surprise there, but I also took a sample of different patinas and finishes, and explained how I accomplish them. I also consumed enough coal smoke to last me the whole year.

I hope you enjoy the images....



Here I am, head down, and surprise, I am working with hot steel.




More Hot Steel... Placing My Touchmark




And here are knives, made by my most recent students.... The bottom one by Marion David Poff, you can read more at Eye On Cutlery BlogSpot. The other one is by a student who shall not be named.




Here are a couple of my belt knives...




And a few more of my knives....






And, finally, me, with my old friend, coal smoke.



Thank you for your interest in what I do, and I look forward to doing business with you.
Bob

Knife-Making Instruction from Robert Alderman of Tracker's Forge

For some time, I have offered lessons in how to make knives to local residents.

And, while most folks have used my lessons as simply a way to satisfy a curiousity or to make a knife for special occasion, a few of my students have attended to make knives for sale, to become knife-makers.

I teach both forging and stock removal techniques of knife-making.

In addition, I am familiar with multiple styles of knife construction, and can instruct you in the techniques necessary, styles of construction include but are not limited to; full tang, insert tang, and mortise tang.

Also, I instruct in the construction and design of folders.

I instruct in annealing, hardening, and tempering common high carbon steels like 5160, 1084, and 1095.

I am familiar with various methods of patina and darkening, and instruct in types and methods of finishing.

Also, so that you can begin to make knives on your own. I can instruct you in what equipment is necessary vs what equipment is optional. As well, I have a design for a forge that is very fuel efficient and can be easily constructed.

Lastly, I instruct in sources of appropriate materials that can be acquired for little or no money.

I am the 4th generation of blacksmiths in my family, and I learned my knife-making skills from Steve Mullins, a well known knife-maker.

I am most well known for my reproductions and knives based on the technology and art of the moutain man period, pre 1840. I have an extensive knowledge of the patterns and constructions methods of the period. Further, I can make a knife look as though it had been made many years ago.

I can translate my 40 years of experience to answer all your questions concerning knife-making and related matters.

I charge $125 per day, and with planning, a simple knife and sheath can be built within 2 days. But, based on the knife or knives that you would like to make, or the skills you would like to acquire, I can schedule longer appointments to suit.

As an example of the type of thing that can be made, check out the knife made by Marion David Poff of Eye On Cutlery

If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,
Bob
trackersforge@gmail.com

Knives Previously Sold

Hi,

Just thought I would create a post of knives that I have sold previously, so that you can see them.

And in most cases, I will be happy to take an order for one or another of these knives, but please be aware that the price may have changed, for multiple possible reasons, for instance; availability of material, how many orders I have on deck, a previous desire to sell a particular knife, or simply my reluctance to make a certain knife.

Tracker's Forge Translucent Green Cow Horn Drop Point Hunter

Tracker's Forge Nessmuk, Full Tang with Elk Slab Handles

Tracker's Forge Colonial Hunter For Sale note-I can reproduce this knife, but not at this price, as I would have to Hand-Forge it, I have no more cast blanks available.

Early American Pouch Knife - 'Woodcraft' Knife

Tracker's Forge Multi Pin Fancy Hunter with PurpleHeart Scales For Sale

Tracker's Forge Rasp and File Nessmuk

Black Smith Style Knives for Sale, D Guard Cutlass and Dag

Thank you,
Bob

Tracker's Forge Standard Sheath

Hi,

I though I might tell you all a little about my sheaths.

I make a very high quality user grade sheath.

It is suitable for years of tough use.

I make it of Extra Heavy Full Grain Oak Tanned Leather Sheath. It is Hand Sewn, and Wet-Formed to the knife for a snug custom fit.

I use a multi-stage finishing process, where I grease, wax and oil the sheath for water reppelency, shape-holding and long life.

A sheath for a 4 inch knife or standard hunting pattern is $55.

In the image at the top of this blog post, you see the front of a sheath that was made for my Bushcrafter, feel free to click on the image for a larger image.

In the following image, you see the back of my sheath, with a standard belt loop.


In this last image, you see the throat of the sheath, which portrays the thickness, and stoutness of my standard sheath.


If I can answer any questions, please let me know.


Thank you,
Bob

Knives Available For Sale, In Stock....

These knives are available right now, for sale.

Tracker's Forge Pouch Knife Folder For Sale

I have placed a number of knives that are available for sale, in one post over at BladeForums....

Trackers Forge Knives for Sale.... One Post... Many Knives

And here are a few more, that are newer, also available....

Sized Down Tracker's Forge Long Hunter

Tracker's Forge Utility Hunter with Elk Slab Handles

Kentucky Pattern Belt Axe and Long Hunter Lightweight Tomahawk

Thank you,
Bob

Guide to the Tracker's Forge Web....

Welcome to Tracker's Forge, the knives and tools of Robert Alderman.

I have just began to have a presence here on the web.

But, I have posted a good bit of information and images to the web.

So, I thought I might create a list of all the things that you might be interested in, if you want to know more about what I do as a knife-maker, and what I offer.

First, just to the right, you will see a list of previous posts to my blog, under the title, 'Blog Archive'. Feel free to click on any or all of them, to look around and see my other posts.

Second, I have a gallery of images at http://s573.photobucket.com/albums/ss176/trackersforge/.

And internal to that I have made available reading material, which are photos of articles in which I have been mentioned or featured. Of note, the images are quite large so that you can read the article if you like. And the images are rather clear, and I have closeup images of them, so that you can see the knives that I have made, previously. In no particular order, they include;
Backwoods Magazine
Blade Magazine April 1991
Blade Magazine March 1991
Blade Magazine November 1994
Knives Annual 2001
Tactical Knives January 2001
Tactical Knives November 2005

Also at that Gallery, you can see images from a show earlier this year.

And to see what I am working on right now, check out the main page.... http://s573.photobucket.com/albums/ss176/trackersforge/ , just remember that there are 3 pages, so click on through to see them all.

Third, while I am always taking orders, you can see what I have available for sale at BladeForums in their Makers Section, under Fixed Blade Knives for Sale. Here is a quick list of those Knives Available for Immediate Sale.

Fourth, if you would like to learn about my standard, hard use sheath, you can find that information, I have a page with that information. Tracker's Forge Standard Sheath.

Fifth, I offer Knife-Making Instruction.

Check back with me, I will have more links here...

Thank you,
Bob
trackersforge@gmail.com

Tracker's Forge Trail Series Neck Knife

Neck Knife $50 w/o sheath

6 3/4 inch overall, 3 1/4 inch blade

Hand-Forged 1/8th inch 1095 High Carbon Steel w/ Blue Gray Finish. Full Grain Xtra Heavy Oak Tanned Leather Handles Bonded to Tang and Secured with Copper Harness Rivets. Leather has been Stained, Sealed w/ Drying Oil like a Gunstock Finish, and finished with multiple coats of wax.

With a comparison image....



Bob

Large Heavy Golock or Trail Knife $180 w/o sheath.

17 inches overall, 11 inch blade.

Hand-Forged 1/4 inch 5160 High Carbon Steel w/ Rounded Spine and Blue Gray Finish.

Full Grain Xtra Heavy Oak Tanned Leather Handles Bonded to Tang and Secured with Copper Harness Rivets. Leather has been Stained, Sealed w/ Drying Oil like a Gunstock Finish, and finished with multiple coats of wax.

Additionally, as this is a Large Heavy Knife designed to be used at Full Swing, a extra wedge of leather is added to give the handle a flare at the butt of the knife, to keep it in your hand.

And a comparison image with the rest of the series.....


Bob