Had a good run making knives for many years. Finally found the best blade material was used saw blades from my band saw mill. Could be sharpened, but held an edge pretty well.

I found that fire-killed western juniper made pretty scales for the handles of the triangle-bladed pelters, the drop-pointed skinners, and the round-nosed beaver knives.



Took a while, but I finally found a handle shape that was efficient and comfortable.



Different handles were made mostly out of fire-killed western juniper trees. Some were American walnut, others domestic apple. Although nice and hard and full of character the mountain mahogany was too hard, and shattered if one was dropped.



The little cowboy belly knives were a popular knife, but were too small for my bumbling fingers.

Still use my Gulo beaver knife

I am glad I bought a set from you, thanks!

Beautiful knives Jack!

You mention the steel you found the best and it reminded me of an old guy and his son locally that made the best strawberry hoes around out of the steel from old sawmill blades. They went out of business about 25 -30 years ago.... and what I wouldn't give for another gross of hoes from those days.

Beautiful craftsmanship Jack!

you made a set of knives for me using a chunk of American Chestnut for the scales.

Lovely knives, Jack. I really like mine, have them on my desk to use at any time. I find they are great for scribing whiskers and thin hairs in my pencil art. They arent just for skunned varmints ! They have many uses.

BTW- my special tiger is DONE. I'm setting up my O ring professional light to now wrestle with taking a good shot with no glare, or colour distortion of the paper. UGH....but worth it. I'll make a thread later for you and anyone who might like to see. I used your knife ( the one that's most pointed), for hair and correction refinement... stay tuned...

Love my Pelter's,bought 3 gave John Hart one for Christmas a few years ago.Thanks Jack for making some great knives....and writing some really good books as well.

Some pretty gross hoes hanging around the street corners here!

Got my set back in 2020. I had sent a piece of walnut to Jack to make the scales out of. The wood was from a tree I cut and milled in 2001.

I love the knives I got from you also Jack , I'll start saving money to get one of your cowboy belly knives next .
If I may make a suggestion on a new design it would be similar to a sheep siding knife which was my go to knife for skinning beef , buffalo , elk and deer .

I hope you and you're family had a wonderful Christmas and a even better New Year to come !
Allan

Nice job.

I have a triangle blade knife. Commercial made, plastic handle. Has a bead on the tip. My favorite for cutting straight lines.

Beautiful work Gulo!

Jack I have a few that look like the ones you have pictured I have a medical condition that causes me to buy well made knives even when I am certain beyond doubt I will most likely never use it to cut anything Some things are nice to have and hold in your hand from time to time just so you know you are still alive and enjoy owning special things in life because you want to have it Thanks for adding to my collection and /or addiction

I am honored that my knives have been useful in helping to mitigate your medical condition.

Jack

Well add that to your resume My experience is that trappers are very talented people And the list of things that
the list of skills they are able to do is as a long as a tail on an alligator For example I was getting into position to get down off of about a 7 foot road embankment In view of grace fullness in hip boots not being one of my more polished skills my feet go tangled up and I took a flying leap and landed on the road on my hands and knees My pack baskets had mostly emptied it self on the road And there I was on my hands and knees not able to move BuT I was speaking foreign language It was some words I learned in other iil advised attempts to do things
Is should no longer try in view of my age MAYBE MY MEDICAL condition is more a problem of where
I often put my head until I need a place to put my hat So I think you are making a wise choice to take credit for your advice o f my possible condition Be on the lookout for other aeas you could help With Like translating language I normally do not speak

Love my set of Gulo knifes

And Happy New Year Jack !!

Whitemarlin B Because of the history of the Chestnut tree in America it is one of my favorite woods It amazes me when I stop to think about how the united Sates would-be much different if not for the CHESTNUT BLIGHT You have some thing that is rare

Thanks.

I'd been saving that old chestnut board for probably fifteen years, just waiting for the right project to speak to me. When I saw Jack's workmanship and the practicality of his knives, I knew I'd found its purpose!

Indeed, the story of the American Chestnut is amazing. it's been said that upwards of 40 percent of the trees in the northeast were once chestnut. I'm not sure that is completely accurate, but it goes to show how prevalent (and VALUABLE!) it was!