What got me into customs blades..

[Eaglestroker]

I wanted to show off some knives that really got me interested in non production blades. Usually I'd have shown these off a long time ago but after some folks asking me about the spike in some gun related photos I realized I never did.

When I first saw a post with one of his Bowie knives on our ms gun owners forum I knew I was in love with Tyler's' work. This was around a year and a half ago or so. I contacted him about a trio and he fulfilled my wishes beyond the ideas in my head. These are my first custom knives that were ordered specifically for me by me and I couldn't be happier. The steel is W2 and it has been heat treated with a Hamon. The stocks are a desert ironwood and are really beautiful. I stuck quite a few projects in his ear after getting these and so far I've been a happy camper.


So thanks a lot Tyler May for turning me into a knife snob. I gave good money for these but after holding them I honestly don't understand how he turned a profit, and realize it was way too cheap. As if that wasn't good enough he delivered over a month ahead of schedule. I requested them without leather as I make my own..if I could ever find the time and figure out a suitable design to compliment the big bowie.

All of these photos were taken right after I unboxed the blades. Their a bit more used these days 


Specs:

Bird & Trout

Blade Length: 3.875"
OAL: 8.5"
Widest point of blade: .875"





Skinner:

Blade Length: 4.125"
OAL: 8.5"
Widest point of blade: 1.25"






Bowie:

Blade Length: 10"
OAL: 15"
Widest point of blade: 2.75"






A few months later Tyler told me he was going to give some folders a try I said 'sign me up.' The folder & spring is CPM 154 and the liners, bolsters, and pins are 410 stainless. The scales are a desert ironwood which I am really fond of. I've never carried a knife without a clip or a non spring assist knife before this one but after 3 months I really don't miss the clip.











And I guess last but not least is my spike. For no reason in particular I'd lusted after a spiked hawk for a good long while. When I mentioned this project it was evidently something Tyler wanted to and I got this a month or two later. I have beat this thing up and am really impressed with it. The head is a forged 4140 which he left rough for me to have that 'lived in' look with a few applications of cold blue. The shaft is a Curly Maple and mighty attractive to me. There should probably be a leather wrap added under the head because the first time I miss and knick that shaft there may be a tear or two shed!






Hopefully ya'll enjoyed the show. I'm trying to soak up the care/upkeep knowledge to start using a straight razor more often. Blade upkeep hasn't really be a forte of mine up to this point unfortunately.

 

[bamabiker]

Mr. May appers to be very talented, those are all beautiful. I love the desert ironwood and the curly maple. Heck I just love beautiful wood.
Nice photos as usual.

 

[H Richard]

Does he have a website? Perhaps others may be interested in contacting him?

 

[Marshwheeling]

They are all quite nice, but the bird and trout knife has an elegance of line that puts it a cut above the rest, IMO. I can see why they appeal to you.

 

[Cyrano]

He really has a fine eye for the shape of the blade; they'e beauiful.

 

[Fishslayer]

Too much want! Those are beautiful. I love the desert ironwood.

I have a cheapo Buck with a blade similar to the Skinner. It's one of my favorites for knockaround general use & to take on the boats.

I would be afraid to actually USE something like this. I would probably spend a lot of time fondling it though.

 

[Eaglestroker]

Mr. May appers to be very talented, those are all beautiful. I love the desert ironwood and the curly maple. Heck I just love beautiful wood.
Nice photos as usual.

I'm with you no nice looking wood, I really like the ironwood.

Does he have a website? Perhaps others may be interested in contacting him?

He doesn't have a site, but he does have an email: [email protected]

They are all quite nice, but the bird and trout knife has an elegance of line that puts it a cut above the rest, IMO. I can see why they appeal to you.

That seems to be everyones overwhelming favorite. I originally intended it to be an EDC knife but it ended up a tad larger than I think I could get away with. Awful pretty though

He really has a fine eye for the shape of the blade; they'e beauiful.

I agree!

Too much want! Those are beautiful. I love the desert ironwood.

I have a cheapo Buck with a blade similar to the Skinner. It's one of my favorites for knockaround general use & to take on the boats.

I would be afraid to actually USE something like this. I would probably spend a lot of time fondling it though.

Kind of like having a gun and not shooting it...I'd like to stick a pig with that bowie

 

[shouldazagged]

I love the skinner and bird & trout, but that folder is a wonder. Absolutely gorgeous!

 

[gregintenn]

I think I like the tomahawk as well as any of them. The handle really catches one's eye.

 

[Marshwheeling]

It's settled, then. These are going to make some wonderful karma. Thank you in advance, and count me in.

 

[Dominus_Lex]

Like the blade shape on the Bowie, as well as the clay line. Is the handle on the shorter side, or is it the angle of the photo?

 

[zzzippper]

When I was in Kuwait and couldn't have my guns I started collecting knives. I had several custom made for me but they're all in storage.

I have a Shiloh Sharps Quigley rifle in .45-110 that I had made. I've always wanted a custom bowie to go with it but never found the right maker. Your guy might be the one.

 

[Eaglestroker]

I love the skinner and bird & trout, but that folder is a wonder. Absolutely gorgeous!

What's not to like, really

I think I like the tomahawk as well as any of them. The handle really catches one's eye.

I was surprised how much the handle stood out when I got it!

It's settled, then. These are going to make some wonderful karma. Thank you in advance, and count me in.

We usually prefer a good laugh on Monday around here

Like the blade shape on the Bowie, as well as the clay line. Is the handle on the shorter side, or is it the angle of the photo?

Most likely the angle, while handle length could be subjective it fits my hand nicely at about any angle I grab it.

When I was in Kuwait and couldn't have my guns I started collecting knives. I had several custom made for me but they're all in storage.

I have a Shiloh Sharps Quigley rifle in .45-110 that I had made. I've always wanted a custom bowie to go with it but never found the right maker. Your guy might be the one.

It's worth a shot to talk with Tyler, I'd like to have him make a guarded bowie for a more 'classic' look.

Since I already started the thread I'll show this off. The blade came in while I was out of town and was able to snap some photos today. In size it's bigger than the other bowie and, while not usually my taste, it is really nice. This one is going to a good friend for Christmas and I can't hardly wait to give it to him!

 

[BrianE]

Very nice!

 

[patrick james]

I own some Charles May knives, Are they related?


Charles May Knives

 

[steelslaver]

I am a knifemaker myself and that is some really nice work. I am also a big fan of Desert Ironwood and nice hamons. For those of you who don't know just what a hamon is: that wiggly line in some of the blades is a hamon. It is usually created by putting a tin layer of refractory clay along the spine and having it uneven near the edge. After you heat the blade to the correct temperature when you quench the blade the clay insulates the area under the clay and it doesn't harden. Then when the blade is polished the line between the hardened area and the softer area show. Not easy to do and shows a lot of heat treat ability.

 

[Eaglestroker]

Very nice!

Thanks!

I own some Charles May knives, Are they related?

I will have to ask him next time we talk, I know Tyler is originally from the north (northern MN, if I remember right) and still goes home to see family which is where he's at now. Who knows though?

I am a knifemaker myself and that is some really nice work. I am also a big fan of Desert Ironwood and nice hamons. For those of you who don't know just what a hamon is: that wiggly line in some of the blades is a hamon. It is usually created by putting a tin layer of refractory clay along the spine and having it uneven near the edge. After you heat the blade to the correct temperature when you quench the blade the clay insulates the area under the clay and it doesn't harden. Then when the blade is polished the line between the hardened area and the softer area show. Not easy to do and shows a lot of heat treat ability.

I'd love to see some of your work, I have a few other makers work now too! When we first started talking I realized Damascus, which he does really fine blades from, was out of my price range. I know the hamon isn't a huge use in smaller knives but the matching set sure looks cool. It was a lot of fun during the build process as I got to see the knives from start to finish. Really made me appreciate the process that goes into them.

 

[steelslaver]

Here is one of my Damascus blades



and here one with D2 and iron wood



This on has a Hamon, but I didn't photograph it well.

Haven't made many in the last year. Built a new house and a large addition onto my shop in preparation for my retirement. Now I have time to work on knives and guns.






This one is Damasscus with wrought iron fittings and an Ossic handle(fossil Walrus penile bone lol)



PS a hamon only works on fast quenching high carbon steels with low amounts of other alloys. High alloy stainless type steels can not do this because their quench speed is way to slow.