Stag Split Backspring 3 Blade Whittler

Sterling, Murray

"I was a self-employed machinist from 1955 to 1989. After retirement I read "How to Make Knives", (by Richard Barney and Robert Loveless), and "How to Make Folding Knives", (by Ron Lake, Frank Centofante and Wayne Clay).The hardest thing was learning to grind the bevels. I made a lot of fixed blade knives and gave a lot of them away in the beginning. I sold my first knife in 1990. In 1995 I started making folding knives, rear locks, mid-locks, and liner locks. In 1998 I started making multi-blade slip joint folders, that is when knife making became really interesting. I have won a few "Best Folder" awards, the first being the Oregon Knife Collectors Association in 1995. I have been a voting Knifemakers Guild Member since 2000. I use 416 SS for frames. I use the stock removal method in making my knives. All my blade steels are stainless(ATS 34 & 440C). I use Devin Thomas & Mike Norris Damascus. I do all my own heat treating & hardness testing. All blades are hollow ground. Handle materials are MOP, abalone, natural woods, stag, ivory, etc."