Ben Lilly Special

G.H.K.

I have been interested in all kind of edged tools and weapons since i was a small child. Actually I made my first "knife"using a scrap iron bar at the age of 7 years old. I have been making knives in a more serious way since 2002. With a technical background as a weapon smith and armorer and after 18 years of working in this sector I am interested in tactical oriented edged tools. I am entirely self-taught and i try very hard to make original designs. My knives are 100% handmade using only the most basic tools. I do not have a modern belt sander or an electric furnace. I use a handmade propane forge, my old anvil , a small angle grinder, and many hand files . The passion I have for knives is the real driving force for my work. I use only high carbon alloys and especially tool steels such as Swedish o-1 tool steel, Austrian D-2 tool steel, L-6 steel as well as old files, steel cables and leaf springs of MAN trucks (5160). All my knives are razor sharp and they stay in that condition even after hard usage. For my larger knives and axes I use a zone hardening /tempering method so as to combine strength and sharpness but without brittleness. I want to make my knives overbuilt so as to be tough and strong for the needs of my clients. I do not make knives for collectors but only for hard working users such as L.E. officers, members of the Special Operations community, and anyone wanting a tough sharp blade. I do not have a basic line of knives but I make every knife to be one of a kind. If someone has an interesting idea about a knife and wants to see it made I would be glad to help him.