My Story
About the Knives
I make these tools in my small garage in Wyoming. The blades are shaped in multiple steps from 1084 high-carbon steel, hardened to 61–62 Rockwell, and cryogenically treated to −300°F. I send my tools to an outside shop that specializes in heat treating. This steel takes an excellent edge while remaining relatively easy to sharpen.
I turn the handles on a lathe from a variety of woods. I was inspired by Del Stubbs’s beautiful carving tools with turned handles and precisely crafted blades that contrast the color and grain of wood with highly polished steel.
Background
I’ve always been drawn to making things and wanted to carve wood before my parents would let me have a knife. Though, I did buy a pocket knife with a lot of loose change at scout camp and I still have it.
I began carving wood in 1997 with a couple of Mora knives after discovering Wille Sundqvist’s book Swedish Carving Techniques and Drew Langsner's books in the library. I began making my own knives from old saw blades and heat treating in my driveway. I still use those first knives.
I later took classes at Country Workshops, interned there for a summer, apprenticed at the Carpenter's Boatshop in Maine, and traveled to Sweden to visit craft schools with Jogge Sundqvist and Drew Langsner, going to the Mora factory, Hans Karlsson’s shop, and handcraft museums.
I teach middle school art, where each day brings new creative exploration.
My great grandfather worked as a blacksmith after emigrating from Sweden.
