Hawkins, Rade

"I started making knives in 1970, and in 1976, I joined the Knifemaker's Guild. I make all types of knives from: folders, fighters, hunters and fancy collector pieces. I am a voting member of the Knifemakers Guild, the American Bladesmith Society (Journeyman Smith), the Ocmulgee Blacksmith's Guild, the Flint River Knife Club and the National Rifle Association. My first knives were mostly hunting knives with an occasional Bowie thrown in. I use both the stock removal and forging methods in making knives. I flat grind and hollow grind. I prefer to use stainless tool steel for all of my non-forged blades with either a flat or hollow ground surface according to my specific application. My best edge holding stainless tool steel is 420-V, second is 440-V. These two steels are very difficult to work with, but they provide superior edge holding and corrosion resistance (traits that I demand in my finished designs). My favorite stainless tool steel is 154-CM. It holds an edge very well and takes a lot of abuse. I also like to work with Damascus steel, both stainless and carbon. I prefer the stainless Damascus due to its corrosion resistance. I do not make my own Damascus. I purchase it from the top makers around the world. I do my own heat-treating and then send the blades to a commercial firm for 24-hour cryogenic treatment. For handle materials, I use a variety of materials both natural and man-made; almost anything you can imagine." Rade passed away in 2014.