My name is David Wesner and I've had an obsession with knives and the outdoor
life-style since I was a young boy. Prior to making knives I worked with steel in the
mold making and machining industry for 25+ years. To put it simply, I've worked with
steel my entire adult life and I use that experience to create my custom knives and
other outdoor tools.
I use only new materials for forging my blades, making Damascus and the occasional
Laminated Billets I've been making lately. I mostly make my knives using the forging
method but also use stock removal when working with high alloy air hardening steels.
Handle materials I use are almost too numerous to list. Some of my favorites are
Stabilized Woods of all types, Micarta and G10. Ivory, both pre-ban Elephant Ivory,
Ancient Mammoth Ivory, Ancient Walrus Ivory & Oosik are also available. I will work
with you and do my absolute best to find and provide what you request for your project.
Most Bladesmiths have the unique opportunity to experiment with many different Blade
Steels. After many years of making and using my own knives, I have and keep in stock,
what I believe to be the best types of steel available. Some of my favorites for forging
are W2, 1095, 5160, 1084, 1075 & L6.
For the Damascus steel I've been making I use 1084 & 15N20, an excellent
combination that results in great edge retention, toughness and beautiful contrast. For
Damascus steel used in places other than the blade, like guards, spacers and end
caps, I'll at times add pure nickel to the mix.
Over the years I've worked with many, many different blade materials, and frankly, with
proper heat treat and thermal cycling during and after forging, most are very good.
I'm a stickler for details when it comes to heat treat. I take extensive notes, doing things
by the book, closely monitoring atmosphere, time, and temperatures.
When it comes to quenchants, I use engineered products specifically made for that
purpose. I don't use automatic transmission fluid, old motor oil or any other "secret
recipes". For the most part I use a product called Parks # 50 (IMO one of the best high
speed engineered quenchants available today). I also use McMasterCarr High Speed
(an engineered quenchant that I've found to be more of a medium speed quenching
oil) It works well for certain steels I use that don't require the light speed fast quench
that Parks #50 provides ; )
I also offer blade steels such as W2, 1095 and low manganese 1075 that are clay
coated in the traditional Japanese style prior to hardening. This process is done to
create beautiful "hamon". It is a work in progress on the learning curve and a technique
that many bladesmiths spend their entire lives learning the finer points of.
On the occasion I do stock removal projects I've been using mostly CPM steel for the
past 8-9 years. Steel such as CPM 154, CPM 3V, CPM D2, Crucible Steel Company's
new CPM S35VN and a few others for specialty requests. All of the above mentioned
CPM, or "Powder Metals", obtain their best performance after going through a "cryo
cycle" after hardening or "austinitizing". I have a 30 Liter Dewar of Liquid Nitrogen I use
for just this purpose. The process virtually eliminates any retained austenite that can
remain after quenching, something high alloy steels are known for. A hardened blade
that contains high amounts of retained austenite is not a desirable quality or state to
leave the steel in. It is the primary reason for the Liquid Nitrogen Cryogenic process
that I put the blade through prior to final tempering and finishing.
After cryo it is imperative the blades go through at least (2) 120 minute tempering
cycles to address the new untempered martensite that was formed during the cryo
cycle. This process results in a knife that posses some of the toughest, most wear
resistant properties available today. Knives that will support and retain a very fine edge
geometry. Like the Master Metallurgist Roman Landes says, "it's the geometry that
cuts - and the steel type and heat treat process that determines for how long"
If you're not familiar with the different types of steel available, and what would be, in my
opinion, the best to use for a given design or purpose, I would be more than happy to
discuss and suggest what I believe to be the best material(s) for your project and why.
You will also see "one of a kind" projects in my Gallery. The only way I can increase
my knowledge and skills is by experimenting with new techniques and styles. If you
see something different looking, that is the reason, "I was trying something new".
I believe it is imperative I try new techniques and materials if I want to move forward in
my knowledge and skills as a knifemaker.
Research and learning about this craft "Bladesmithing" is a lifelong learning experience.
Every Blade I make brings new experience, along with many new questions. My goal is
to bring you, the customer, the absolute best possible tool that can be made. I am
confident that my passion for knifemaking is evident in each and every knife and sheath
I make. I strive for perfection.
Thank you very much for taking the time to look through my site.
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