About Me

At the tender age of 13 my father helped me make a knife out of an industrial band saw blade.  I finished the knife, and after a few days of cutting things, started throwing the knife.  It was fun up until the knife broke.

Years past by and I was looking for a good hunting knife to dress out my game.  I contacted a local maker to placed order for a O-1 steel bladed hunter with Micarta scales and a plain leather sheath. It performed so well that I asked him to show me how it was done.  Luckily for me he agreed!

In 1987 I decided to give knife making a try. I produced some functional knives, rough by today's standards, and I actually had my first sale by 1988. Having a full time job as a truck driver, knife making remained part time until 2003 when I decided to become a full time maker.

I started hand forging tool steel in 1989 after going to local smithy to watch him in action. In 1992, after I had built a 720 sq. ft. shop to house all of the equipment I had been accumulating, I started making damascus steel. I have attended several Hammer-ins over the years which helped me to see other smiths in action and pick up many good pointers and tricks along the way.  I'm quick to credit Howard Clark, Jim Miller and R.B. Johnson for their many years of help and advice.

In 1994 I started making folding knives including liner locks, lock backs, automatics, assisted openers and slip joint pocket knives. Many of the folders I make today are considered art knives because of the choice materials and workmanship involved. I use gold and silver, mosaic damascus, exotic materials and hot bluing to produce some stunning examples of art knives.  

A few years ago, I built a knife that looked like a bug, complete with legs, eyes and a blade. Since that time I have become known as the "Bug Man" with such bug knives as a Ladybug, Centipede, Praying Mantis, Metallic Jewel Beatle, Butterfly, Dragon Fly, Stag Beatle, Rhino Beatle, Bat knife, etc...I guess the name fits. Most of the bug knives are award winners along with several other types of knives I've made.

1996 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Badger Custom Knife Show

1997 - Best Custom Folder - Badger Custom Knife Show

1997 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Badger Custom Knife Show

1997 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Southeastern Custom Knife Show

1997 - Blade Magazine Best Hand Made Award for Fantasy Art Knife

1999 - Best Fixed Blade - Badger Custom Knife Show

2000 - Best Fixed Blade - Badger Custom Knife Show

2002 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Las Vegas Classic Knife Show

2003 - Judges Choice Award - Badger Custom Knife Show

2003 - Best Damascus Knife - Greater Ohio Valley Knife Show

2004 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Chicago Custom Knife Show

2004 - *Best in Show* - Badger Custom Knife Show

2005 - *Best in Show* - Badger Custom Knife Show

2006 - Best Fixed Blade - Badger Custom Knife Show

2006 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Badger Custom Knife Show

2007 - Best Fantasy Art Knife - Badger Custom Knife Show

2007 - Best Fixed Blade - Michigan Wolverine Knife Show

2008 - Best Custom Folder - Badger Custom Knife Show

I attend several knife shows each year and those shows are listed on the right side of each page. Thank you for visiting my site and CLICK HERE to sign up for my website news letter for updates and newly listed knives.

If there are any questions / comments please contact me and I'll do my best to respond in a timely manner. 

Thanks for reading.

Peter

Pictures of my shop:

Work-Bench

Buffers and Grinder

Forging Equipment

Milling Equipment

Me

Questions
If you have any questions feel free to email me at:

martinknives@hotmail.com

If you would like to sign up for the Martin Knives Newsletter please CLICK HERE

Upcoming Shows

Badger Knife Club Show -- Janesville WI. -- March 2009