Covid-19 makes me very grateful that Scott and I live in rural part North Carolina (away from the worst of it) and have the time and knowledge necessary to process our own food. This weekend we put another hog in the freezer and, while doing so, put a 3V Goshawk to the test.
The following videos are not for everyone, so proceed with caution. They are included to show what a small, well-designed knife made of a quality steel, heat treated properly, and ground with a superior edge can do in the hands of a skilled individual. Scott is an ABS Master Bladesmith, and he is as talented at using knives as he is at making them.
3V Goshawk
Steel: CPM 3V
Finish: Belt
Overall Length: 7.70 inches
Blade Length: 3.50 inches
Handle: Wood or Micarta
Sheath: Leather
CPM 3V is a rust resistant high carbon steel that makes excellent user knives because it holds an edge well and is extremely tough. The 3V Goshawk in the lead picture sat on a table covered in blood for over an hour while we scalded and scraped the hog, but it cleaned up easily with a little Dawn dish soap and Cleanse Oil. The scalloped Micarta handle used in the videos has a texture that works well when things get messy, but we also offer the Goshawk in shaped wood and shaped Micarta for a more elegant look - shaped Maroon Micarta on the left and scalloped Green Micarta on the right.
A client familiar with some of our other designs asked for a size comparison so here it is -
3V Goshawk in the middle with 3V Piranha below and XO Tactical Blackout above.
All three models are AVAILABLE on our website while supplies last.
We're hopeful that Covid-19 will soon be nothing more than a bad memory. We're looking forward to sharing homemade country ham with friends and family this fall, and we know you all have things you're looking forward to as well. Stay safe out there.
As Covid-19 bares down on North Carolina, Scott has been focused on getting us ready to shelter in place. We have fresh meat in the freezer and a small garden in the works, but that hasn't stopped him from churning out some knives too. Eight Goshawks are the fruits of his workshop labors, while cherry tomatoes, lettuce, mustard greens, and onions have been planted and are doing well so far. Sweet potatoes, squash, zucchini, pole beans, and corn will be planted soon.
The Goshawk is a bird and trout designed for folks who liked the Piranha but wanted a full sized handle. Perfect for everyday chores and processing a wide range of game, the Goshawk is available in shaped wood and shaped or scalloped Micarta. Pictured below from top to bottom are Curly Maple, American Chestnut, and Curly Koa.
Made from CPM 3V, a rust-resistant high carbon steel,
3V Goshawk blades hold up extremely well with minimal care.
While presentation grade wood is hard to beat when it comes to beauty, Micarta is hard to beat when it comes to hard use. Micarta is an excellent choice if you tend to be a bit abusive to your knives, and shaped and polished Micarta has a beauty all its own - Black, Green, and Maroon.
Scalloped Micarta is the most tactile handle option we offer. These work especially well when butchering animals as the texture helps you maintain grip in slippery situations - Green & Black.
3V Goshawk
Steel: CPM 3V
Finish: Belt
Overall Length: 7.70 inches
Blade Lengh: 3.25 inches
Handle: Wood or Micarta
Sheath: Leather with metal clip
All Goshawk sheaths are leather and attach with a secure clip by Discreet Carry Concepts.
Goshawks are available on our website now. Thanks for looking and stay safe out there.
Scott was scheduled to teach at the Smoky Mountain Bladesmithing Symposium in Clyde, NC earlier this month, but Covid-19 hit the scene and the event was promptly cancelled. One of the classes Scott was prepared to teach was on hamons, a hardening line in carbon steel blades.
If you follow my husband's work, you know that six years ago he made several hamon knives but hasn't made any in years even though clients have requested them. Hamons are a creative medium that Scott enjoyed exploring, but he ultimately decided it wasn't something he truly enjoyed doing. Damascus speaks to him. Brut de Forge speaks to him. Damascus Brut de Forge really really speaks to him. But hamons, although beautiful, don't really trip his trigger.
When the class was cancelled, Scott considered not finishing the blade he'd prepped for the class, but it was made from Don Hanson W2, and he'd put a ton of work into it! So, here she is, a W2 Native with hamon made by ABS Mastersmith E. Scott McGhee - his first (and only) Mastersmith knife with a hamon to date. Please note that it is also a Brut de Forge in the flats.
Native with Hamon
Steel: W2
Finish: Hand-Sanded Brut de Forge
Overall Length: 11.375 inches
Blade Length: 6.50 inches
Handle: Desert Ironwood
Sheath: Leather drop
Here are a couple of videos as well for your viewing pleasure.
Yeah, it has a fully sharpened "false edge" too.
Sure, he might make another hamon blade somewhere down the line, but who knows.
