The following article was kindly written by Woodlore customer Martin Dryden. Not only is it a great review of the Hand Forged Knife Blade, it also serves well as a guide for those thinking of having a go at making their own knife handle:

Martin's finished knife

I’ve looked at the Woodlore knife for many years and loved the craftsmanship that’s gone into it. I also saw the episode of Ray in Julius Pettersson‘s forge, while he was making a knife. When I saw the Hand Forged Knife Blade listed on Woodlore’s shop I wanted the chance to make my own knife to try out some skills and hopefully do justice to it. I’d had a go with a knife kit before and this was very rewarding but I knew I could do better.

I found a block of stabilised curly birch on the internet and some buffalo horn and bone spacers used in stick making on another site. I drilled a series of small holes through the bone spacer to make the bolster, then used a set of needle files to open up a hole to suit the tang of the knife and the get a close fit.

Various grades of sand paper and wet & dry were used to get the top surface flat and polished. I’d learned to do this now as it’s impossible once the knife is put together. A small square of leather was then cut and placed behind this.

The wood block was the most difficult part, as a hole big enough to accept the tang was drilled down the entire length which is tricky to keep straight with only a vice and a hand drill. This again was filed to suit for a good fit.

Another leather spacer was added and the horn pommel was drilled, filed, polished and fitted. With all the parts finished and dry fitted it was time to glue everything together and peen over the top of the tang to hold it all in place. Then the minor job of sawing off excess material and a lot of wood filing and sanding to get a handle the shape I wanted.

I don’t think it turned out too badly. However I am my own worst critic, so now I want to do it all over again. I’d like to do a more traditional style with the reindeer antler, leather and birch stacked. Beware – it’s frustrating at times and so addictive 🙂

There was no chance of making a sheath to such high standards as the Woodlore sheath, so I bought one with the blade. Woodlore were so helpful, as I wanted a left handed version, which they happily had made up.

My last words of advice are to wrap the blade well before you start working with it; one – to protect the finish of this wonderful piece of craftsmanship and two – more importantly – to protect your fingers from the razor sharp edge.

Happy knife making.