Kitchen Knives - NC State Fair 2021

For the last several Octobers (except the last one, as the fair was cancelled due to Covid), we've promoted the art of knife making in the Village of Yesteryear at the NC State Fair. We've been telling fair goers for several years that we would eventually bring some kitchen knives. Well, 2021 is the year and we've got 8.5-Inch French Chefs and 3.5-inch Paring knives to sell. 

African Blackwood Set

Curly Maple Set

Vintage Micarta Set

Curly Koa 8-Inch Chef

The 8.5-inch French Chefs all have frame handles. Instead of the traditional full tang found on most kitchen knives, the tang in these beauties is surrounded and protected by a frame (Black Micarta frame with Vintage Micarta slabs pictured below). The frame prevents water intrusion and protects the tang from corrosion, lightens the knife, and makes the handle feel really amazing in your hand. The two tone look is also very aesthetically pleasing.

 

The paring knives have the more traditional full tang but are no less beautiful and come pin stock to match the French Chef of the same handle material. Below is a Curly Maple paring knife featuring carbon fiber pins. French Chefs and Paring knives can be purchased as a set or individually.

All our kitchen knives are made from O1 tool steel and will patina over time (or rust if you don't care for them properly). Don't put our knives in the dishwasher or leave them in the sink. Use them with care (as they are wicked sharp), rinse and dry after use, and then put them on a wall magnet to keep the edge and tip from being damaged. 

 

If you love to cook and appreciate a really nice kitchen knife as much as Scott does, these are some of the finest you will ever use. Take care of them and they will take care of you. 

Thanks for looking. Any knives on display at the fair that are not snagged by Monday evening (Oct 18th) will be made available on our website Tuesday the 19th. We can also make additional ones, so reach out if you are interested but can't attend the NC State Fair.

Guinea Hog Forge

guineahogforge@gmail.com

Damascus Blades for the NC State Fair

For the last several years, we've promoted the art of knife making in the Village of Yesteryear at the NC State Fair. Last year, (due to Covid-19) the NC State Fair was cancelled. This year, the NC State Fair is on track to run from October 14-24, and Scott plans be in the Village of Yesteryear (an artist group focused on traditional crafts) with his knives and his knowledge. 

Pattern Welded Steel (aka Damascus) is an art all its own, and knives crafted from well-made Damascus are artful tools well worth the investment. Scott is an ABS-certified Master Bladesmith (only 115 in the world), and as such he is required by the American Bladesmith Society to personally craft the pattern welded steel he uses for his blades. Our hand-crafted Damascus is a marriage of 1095 and 15n20 steels. Both are high quality tool steels that once forge-welded and etched create a beautiful pattern that is absolutely unique. Thus, while each Guinea Hog Forge knife crafted from the same billet of Damascus has a similar look, no two are exactly the same. 

Scott plans to have a few Damascus Piranhas and XOs with him in the Village this October. Here's a sampling of the Damascus Blades he's crafted so far. 

Damascus XO - Figured Walnut 

Damascus XO - Curly Koa

Damascus XO - Ringed Gidgee

Damascus Piranha - Curly Koa

Damascus Piranha - Vintage Micarta

Damascus Piranha - Jigged Black Micarta

Come see us at the NC State Fair this year, but only if you feel safe. If you don't, we understand. Take care, and if we don't see you this year, we look forward to seeing you in 2022.

Guinea Hog Forge

guineahogforge@gmail.com

REGAL BRUT DE FORGE FIGHTER

ABS Master Bladesmith, E. Scott McGhee teaches several classes each year at various locations in the US. Last month, Scott taught ABS Intro to Bladesmithing at the Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing. Every time he teaches Intro, he forges and grinds a demonstration knife during the first few days and then handles it a few days later. These blades are completely hand-forged, always get some level of rustic hammer-marked finish, and are generally belt ground for a high-utility finish. To the delight of several students, the Summer 2021 VIB Demo Knife got the regal treatment (i.e. was hand-sanded). It's now maker-marked, has a beautiful leather sheath, and is ready for purchase. 

VIB Brute De Forge Fighter - Summer 2021
Steel: 1075
Finish: Rustic/Regal
OAL: 15 inches
Blade Length: 9.5 inches
Handle: Vintage Micarta
Sheath: Leather drop with IWB strap

Scott's preferred steel for Intro classes is 1075 because it heat treats in a manner that promotes student success. It's also a great high carbon steel for choppers and fighters. Most of Scott's demo blades get dressed in Micarta because it's tough yet beautiful and doesn't cost new knife makers an arm and a leg. This is Scott's first knife handled with Vintage Micarta, which has a rich brown finish.

After Scott returns home from class, he etches his maker mark on the blade and crafts a leather sheath. This beautiful package just sold and will be headed to Michigan tomorrow.

Scott will be teaching Intro to Bladesmithing again in a couple of weeks at Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC: July 26 - August 6. There may be a few spaces open, so contact the school if you are interested. 

Thanks for looking. 

Guinea Hog Forge

guineahogforge@gmail.com