Fueled by their love of "forged in fire", my two oldest boys took a knife making class Nov. 2019 for their birthday (12 & 14 year old then). Grands bought them a forge, cheap anvil and a few small tools for Christmas. They have bought themselves some extra tools (grinders, sanders, band saw).

They have had an incredible time learning and making. Kept their minds and hands busy during Covid and summer and they are always working in the barn making knives.

My oldest, 15 years, entered the craft competition at the local show and won Grand with his knife that started as a leaf spring. He was really proud. Sold for $500 to some generous buyers.

I wish I had more pics of the knives they have finished over the last 18 months. But they make them and give them away too fast.

This is his winning knives with curly maple handle.

The bigger knife is 1095 steel with indian rosewood handle.

Just a proud dad showing off.
https://instagr.am/p/CPOvWCBr0VM

Learning a trade as a youth is a very good thing. You should be very proud.

Hell yah!

Really digging that maple handle. Certainly a proud dad moment.

Congrats. That's awesome.

13 year old County Fair knife. 80crv, I think Bocote handle with inlay (he did the 3 piece handle work himself)

https://instagr.am/p/CPO0ZrbLt5M

1095 steel - Antler handle with synth turquoise, copper guard. (They melted and poured & shaped the guard)
https://instagr.am/p/CPO1YZZruve

college of AG said:

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13 year old County Fair knife. 80crv, I think Bocote handle with inlay (he did the 3 piece handle work himself)

https://instagr.am/p/CPO0ZrbLt5M

1095 steel - Antler handle with synth turquoise, copper guard. (They melted and poured & shaped the guard)
https://instagr.am/p/CPO1YZZruve

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Those look fantastic. Great work!

Let us know when they start taking orders

I'd buy the S*** outta that 1095/rosewood knife

Sweet! Mind sharing where they took the class?

Very nice

My kids call those "shanks".

They took a class from Bluebird Forge ( Onalaska, Tx) . The guy mostly does other blacksmithing. Been a blacksmith for over 40 years, I believe and full time for 20 or so. He and his brother have done historical replications and repairs. I believe he said they did some movie work (can't remember the movie, but it was a high dollar film). Very nice guy. He let the boys pick their own design and he worked through it with them. They left with a finished blade. We had to glue up and finish sanding the handles at home.

Diamond M knives on texags has also been helpful and answered questions they had.

I found a better pic of the other knife. https://instagr.am/p/CPPR8fWL3_J

They would love to sell a few. Would allow them to get more tools they want.

Knife making has so many parts to it. It has kept their attention and has them hooked!

That is awesome!!!

Very mature kids to focus and stick with something from start to finish, and especially to that level of quality. I don't think my folks would have trusted me around a band saw at that age.

I think sometimes we as parents don't realize how talented our children can be. We will keep them away from something "dangerous ". Like your kids I wasn't real sure about turning my then 10 year old loose on a tractor by himself yet he did a great job (with some bumps along the way). Now at 13 neighbors ask if he's for hire this summer.

Great job dad. Your kids will appreciate you turning them loose a bit. Keep them working with their hands. This country needs more folks who know how to work!

They have been burned (not badly) touching hot things, sanded fingers and knuckles, didn't secure a blade before trying to drill holes and it slug and hit him in the leg (needed 4 stiches).

They are learning. They make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes go in the scrap bucket and sometimes there is a little blood.

They use safety glasses 100% of the time and dust masks when they are sanding (most of the time).

No regrets in allowing them freedom to explore and try new things, even if they are a touch risky. In this, the rewards greatly outweigh the risk. They couldn't be prouder when they complete a knife from scratch and get to show off the fruits of their creativity and labor!

He has decided to sell Rosewood handled knife. If you are interested, he would like $100 for it plus shipping. Or we might could meet in Htown or BCS.

Your sons have an eye for good knife lines and useful shapes.

I know you are proud of them

If they are active in Boy Scouts (or even just wanting a fun summer job after 18), they need to apply to Philmont Scout Ranch to work at one of the blacksmith camps. Almost all of the program counselors are taught how to do what needs to be done for program in a one hourish class and beyond that it is pretty much a figure it out situation. They would probably love to have some staffers that come into the roll already knowing how to do it that can develop their fellow staffers skills.

Just saw this and those are awesome. I especially love seeing kids getting into knife making.

If you guys are in Livingston then I believe you have ordered some of those materials from me. I'm the owner of Maker Material Supply. I have all sorts of material drops and cutoffs and random materials that are perfectly usable and would love to put a box together and send to your boys.

I'm jealous that some youngsters have discovered a great hobby. I'm still looking for something outside of deer season and I'm over a decade older than them.

phorizt, that is an incredible offer. They will be so excited.

This thread has been so awesome for them.

shoot me a text @ nine three 6 3 twenty eight seven three seven four.

They are finishing up a few more knives this week.

Oldest just built spent the last few weeks building this. Will be his senior project for the county fair. Super proud of his work and had to brag! Also he's class of '28.

https://instagr.am/p/C49X3LKt2xS