What do you get when you throw a Keeslar "brute de forge" style guard, a Winkler 18th century frontier blade, and a Campbell caper into a tippit forge?  Now I'm not presumptive enough to think I can even carry any one of these men's hammers...but it's sure fun to play with their ideas.  Plus it's good to have heros even or more especially when you're an old man             I'll have a picture of my blade tomorrow if this flu doesn't keep me bed ridden...tippit

Doug Campbell Caper, This is the very knife that got me into making my own blades              

     

Joe Keeslar "brute de forge",  This is the style that I so dearly love.  Two more weeks before I get to meet the man and hopefully learn his technique at the Great Smokey Mt hammer-in.

     

Dan Winkler, Who makes rough forged blades look eloquent.

     

     

Jeff,
     I know you'll enjoy your time there. Please tell them I said Hello. Did you know Joe is a trad shooter? Sure is. I think Dan is more into buckskinning, which fit's well into the period of knives he enjoys making. Lin

Here's my forged rendition with selected ideas from the above bladesmiths.  It is amazingly helpful to have so many ideas of what different smiths do for blade design.  Thanks not only to these three fine individuals but to everyone here for sharing your ideas on design...tippit

Finally this is what I've been trying to come up with.  I might even keep this one...maybe with a little stag or sheephorn for show  

Forged 5160, seven inches OAL, hollow ground with Keeslar like flare and Winker file pattern on top.

 

I sure like your work!

JEFF, GOOD STUFF!

Very nice.  Your work inspires me Tippit - Hope to get somewhere near your skills one day.

Bob Urban

Very nice Doc...can we see the file pattern?

CS

Chris, It's basicaly like the picture of the Winkler blade up top.  I tried to get some shots but my camera isn't focusing well today...probably too much sand from Pig Gig  

i love knives almost as much as i love bows...good stuff (no,, great stuff!) here! You are far too humble Doc!
Thanks for sharing!

Nice!!!
Jeff do you forge from stock or just a spring or what???
Kevin

Kevin, Most is bar stock as I don't have one of those power hammers like I've seen in your pictures...lucky dog     But I will pound down some springs and files too.

Finally got to hold one of Doug's personal knives today. He called it a second, I would have called it mine if it was for sale. lol

For some reason or another, you tend to keep those that aren't the best...like grinding off your stamp mark, warped blade, etc.  They are still good knives but not the ones you want other people to wear  

The Hippo Ivory had a small crack in it, otherwise the knife was flawless. I understand completely, you can only reach perfection if you strive for it.    

Jeff, that is outstanding! Can't wait till Denton sos I can see it up close.

Another beauty!

Finished caper/skinner with stage handle.  Forged is now closed down until I get some lessons on the proper way to forge a blade from Joe Keeslar     tippit

 

 

Nice stuff Doc real nice...bd

Just Awesome!  

looks great