Chaffin, Robert F

I was born and raised in Salmon Idaho. I grew up (some argue that) enjoying the typical outdoor activities that are found in central Idaho for my father was an outdoors man himself. My folks had a small welding and steel supply business in Salmon where I as a young teenager was introduced to Jay Sharp (known for his hand forged farrier tools). I took some blacksmithing classes from Jay and soon was forging on my own. About this same time Bill Burke of Salmon, a good friend of mine, began his pursuit in knife making. Bill introduced Damascus to me and I was hooked. I went to a few hammer-ins where I was inspired by Bill Burke, Ed Fowler, Shane Taylor, Devin Thomas, and Gary House. I purchased the family business in 1996 and sold out in 2006 to pursue an education in dentistry. While I was attending BYU-Idaho and Creighton University, I used this hobby as a source of stress release from school etc. I like to forge 1095 and 15N20 together for my Damascus blades with either a twist or ladder pattern. My knives typically have a hidden tang, brass guard, iron wood spacer, and some type of antler (mule deer, whitetail, elk, moose). I make my own sheaths as well. I have sold several of my knives for enough to support my hobby which thus far have been numbered and signed with my initials "RC". Eventually I would like to make folders and kitchen knives. I plan to reside in Hamilton Montana after I earn my DDS in May 2013.