All my hand made knives are now hardened and tempered in molten salt. This system allows for more accurate temperature control. It applies heat to a forged blade uniformly with no hot spots. The forged blade is submerged in molten salt at temperatures ranging from 1400 to 1800 degrees f. The forged blade is removed from this high temp. salt and submerged in low temp. salt ranging from 400 to 600 degrees f.. This allows for tempering without dropping below the tempering range. (temperatures depend on steel type and what the custom knife is to be used for)This method makes a tougher hand made knife with better edge retention. Because there are no hot spots as with an oven or forge, there is no warpage to the forged blade and it is hardened uniformly. Because there is no air in contact with the forged blade when it is heated  there is no scaling. This allows the forged blade to be worked to a near finished condition before heat treating.                                                                                           

   I had a very good show at the A. G. Russell Knife Event in Rogers, Arkansas. on the 16th &17th of August. This was the first year for this show and there were many of the best knife makers in the world there. There were also many collectors of every type of knife.Sales were brisk. On friday night there was a reception for makers and collectors to get to know each other. On Sat.evening there was a banquit and a surprize 75th biryhday party for A. G.. the foods was great and everyone had a good time. If the first show is any indication, this is going to be a great show.

   As always I attended the Fall Hammer Inn at the Bill Moran School of

Bladesmithing where I was lucky enough to win the cutting competition again. I have been very lucky in the last two years. In 2007 I won the cutting competition at the spring hammer inn but lost the fall competition. In 2008 I won both the spring and fall competiton giving me three first place in three of the last four competitions held at the school. The cut I was most  proud of was also the winning cut. It consisted of having to cut through both sides of a hoop made from one inch hemp rope suspended from a hook. (photo below) I atribute the sucess to the design and heat treating of my competition knife.