I have been recently been commissioned to make a knife specifically for grafting apple trees by a ranger and independent cider maker in Leicester.

You can see his new press in action on this YOU tube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBEkOU0Kt78

The blade I am going to use is the first picture below which also shows a rough sketch of the knife. I've been asked to include a piece of antler from the deer estate where he works as part of the handle or sheath. I am going to try a new sheath design with a detachable belt loop which will be secured by an antler button.

I also have a few other blades that I have made and are ready to handle.  These blades are 440b hardened to 58 Rockwell and have been bead blasted. You can see them in the pictures below. You'll see the spines of the blades are yet to be ground -  a process I always leave until last to create the perfect finish.  These blades will be used to produce either small kitchen knives or wood carving knives. I haven't decided on the woods or handle design yet so if anyone is interested in one get in touch!

...and here are some pictures of the finished knives...

I was recently commissioned to produce a Tai Chi Sabre. This was the second sabre I have made. The brief required a light blade with excellent balance and strong construction with a multi-grip handle. I decided on a full tang because the customer wanted the shockwave file work along the spine. The handle shape needed very careful design in order to slide up the guard which would then be secured in place by the scales. The scales are seasoned Yew; the lines of which I selected to compliment the curving shape of the handle. Yew is one of my favourite woods to work with because it looks very beautiful, is very strong and hard and is native. I chose black liners to improve the bond between wood and metal, and bring out the colour in the wood.

I had to thin down the blade a huge amount which took many hours of grinding but resulted in a light blade ideal for Tai Chi with great balance.

As well as being a knife maker I am also an artist so was pleased when the customer asked me to design a Phoenix and a Dragon to go on the blade. I spent quite a bit of time researching the traditional forms used on blades along with more aesthectically pleasing designs. The Phoenix's head is based on the secretary bird, its feet on a golden eagle  and the feathers a combination of falcons. The Dragon is based on a traditional Chinese Water Dragon. I sketched the drawings double sized in pencil and then inked in the details. I then scanned them in on an A3 scanner. These images were then laser etched onto the blade along with the Ferraby logo by Greensmiths in Sheffield.

Stats:

This is a Tai Chi sabre with a full tang Yew handle and a solid brass guard. It is made out of 2.5mm 305 stainless polished to a mirror finish. It is 920mm long. The handle is shaped for a single or double handed grip. The rivets are nickel silver and brass. The lanyard hole is 6mm stainless.