Little preview of whats to come.

Hello Everybody,

            I hope this post finds everyone having a merry Christmas.  The time has come to make an announcement.  I will be offering two classes in simple knifemaking beginning January 23, 2013.  There will be two classes per week on Wednesday and Thursday nights from 6 – 9 PM.  The classes will run for eight weeks with a small break the week of March 4 for spring break.

            Classes are $300 per person, at the end of which each person will walk out with a custom EDC(every day carry) knife of there own making. Classes will be limited to 8 students.

            The class itself will cover:

1. Understanding of different steels and there uses.

2.  Learning to forge in both charcoal and propane forges

3. Hammer control and simple tool usage

4. Ergonomic and aesthetic knife design

5.  Simple grinding and sharpening.

If I may, a little background on me.  I am self taught and make no claims of being a master, only that I am a competent blade smith.  I have been forging knives almost exclusively for the past ten years.  It is a driving passion, and this passion has led me to devour many books on the subject.  The book knowledge I receive I put to practical use by taking it outside and using it at the forge.  This class is designed around helping those who have no experience and also those who may be looking for a different way of bladesmithing. 

If you have any questions please post them in the comment section.

Thank you

Tobin Nieto

Payments can be made by

Check / M.O. or paypal. 

Sign-up begins 12/17/12 and ends 01/18/13

Last day to pay is 01/23/13

 Here are some pics from the last class.

It's always good to have satisfied customers.  Its also great to see people using the tools you make.  I received this email today :

Mr. Nieto,

 

My name is Chris Dillingham and I bought the above knife at the gun show on the 9th. I am in the Army and wanted to take it through some paces to see how it would perform. It is an excellent knife! I dug holes and pried wood apart also and the knife held its edge buetifully and still shaves hair. I have only two small issues: I wish it had a lanyard hole and the handle is a little to smooth, so keeping a grip on it gets difficult when chopping and changing the angle of the cut. Thank you for making an outstanding "UGLY" knife that holds up to what I put it through.

 

Thank you again,

 

Chris Dillingham

SFC, USA

Combat Medic

 

PS. Feel free to use comments and pictures in your blog

 

 

 

Barring a couple of minor aesthetics,( which i  welcome the feed back)im glad you like your new knife Chris.

And as G.K. Chesterton said," a thing worth doing is worth doing Badly". Which is why i make "ugly" knives.:-)

Had a great run at the gunshow.  We were having a raffle for my daughter to raise funds for her choir trip to new york, and we did raise some cash.  This is Art he is the gentle man who won the "beast".  The blade is forged 1084 10" long x 2 1/4" wide.  The tang is forged 51/4" into a re-purposed hickory hatchet handle.

Congratulations to Art and thanks to all who entered.

Have a table at the Gun show at the San antonio Expo center behind freeman coliseum.  Well be there tomorrow , DEC 9, until 4:00.

Come on down and take a look.  I'm also raffling a "beast" of a chopper at the show.

The WARTUSK is truly my first fray into the tactical sphere, and i have to say it's a great honor knowing some soldier will receive my knife. 

Over bulding a knife for added strength was something new for me.  Often times i'll try to make a knife as light as possible seeing as i have a fascination for 18th century cutlery( back then most EDC's were rather thin). 

For the specs:
Blade :  6"  (11 1/2"OAL)
Steel  :  1084 (differentially heat treated)
Handle : Micarta ( with flared brass tube)
Sheath : Kydex w/ teklock

Time permitting i might just make a few more of these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aznSUPBorf0&list=HL1347063211&feature=mh_lolz

sorry cant load the video here.  This is part one of a series on how i make a half tang scalper.

My first foray into cholla cactus handles.  Definitely a learning experience, but i like the results.  I'll do a rawhide wrap around the bolster area, should look pretty nice.

it was a good day.

Im recovering from a massive headache due to dehydration.  Was out at helm forge today auditing James's class.  Hopefully i'll be teaching my own come the fall.  I have to say it's very interesting to see students jump into something new.  i'll post up some pics tomorrow of all the goings on.