So, I simply went to find the 
best source of blades to build 
on.  Which is not an easy thing 
when most of these great blades 
are made by knife companies only 
interested in selling you a finished 
product and not just the blade.
I needed several sources of supply 
using some of the highest usable 
grades of Japanese Damascus 
stainless like VG10, SG2, and San 
Mai in BG42. And high carbon 
Damascus like 1095, 1080 and 
15N20, plus they had to be hardened 
and tempered correctly, which 
is critical to the final product.
This took time to source, test and 
prove all the chosen blades for steel 
composition, hardness, toughness 
and the most important, field tested.  
All but one supplier came up positive 
in this area with their blades.
I was even able to collaborate with 
some suppliers on making subtle 
changes to metal composition 
and the blade layer layout.
STUNNING HANDLES
Handles are now my main 
item to build and finish off. 
The materials for these had to 
meet several criteria for such 
a premium priced product.
While natural wood is beautiful 
and mostly used by manufacturers, 
it does have what I call "side 
issues."  Where regular sealing 
maintenance is required to prevent 
moisture ingression which will 
dull and soften the grain.
For this reason, I have chosen 
to use high grade stabilised 
wood, in elder burl, Curley birch 
and Birdseye Maple.  It is not 
only stable, but also harder than 
straight natural wood, plus if 
coloured with dye it gives a unique 
design which looks stunning.
A decent quality, sharp knife is 
necessary for hunters looking to 
deal with animals in the field.
"This took time to source, 
test and prove all the 
chosen blades for steel 
composition, hardness, 
toughness and the most 
important, field tested.  All 
but one supplier came 
up positive in this area 
with their blades."
68  FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE
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