I got out to the forge and got the fire going and after warming my anvil a bit, I started making his knife. I shot some video of the process so I could put together a little history of the first deliberate project created at the forge.
I wanted to use as little “stock removal” as possible so I kept the grinding to the minimum. But I was pleased with how it came out. Here is a picture of the knife once I got the basic shape formed.
My next problem was how to present it to him. I knew he was going to be at my gig with Francesca and the 440 Hum the next day and wanted to give it to him then. I went to a local craft store and purchased a wood display box and went back to the forge. I have always had a fascination with handprints so I put my left hand print on the cover of the box. In some cultures the left is the side of the male, solar energy and also stands for nobility and wisdom. In addition to that, it was my hands that made the knife so I thought the connection there was pretty cool.
Once the print had dried, I got a couple scraps of leather and made some rudimentary padding inside the box to help hold the knife and for display purposes. All in all it came out respectable. Rob was all smiles when he opened the box and saw the knife. His Northern Family wishes him well in his travels and we look forward to him visiting.
