Welcome to Bluewater Blacksmith
We pride ourselves on the highest quality in hand-forged knives. All of our knives are custom made to order, one at a time.
About Us
How We Started
How We Started
How We Started
Bluewater Blacksmith was established in 2017. We are a local blacksmith shop that focuses primarily on bladesmithing. From the very beginning, we have prided ourselves on building custom unique knives that are hand-forged and heat-treated.
Our Mission
How We Started
How We Started
To bring back to life metal that served a different purpose during a different time period. Our specialty is using metal from the late 1800s. The process of creating this metal was known as the Bessemer process.
Our Passion
How We Started
Our Passion
Our goal is not to mass produce knives. We take real pride in making something that our customers want. Something they can't buy off a shelf somewhere and especially something that has a cool story to tell.
It runs in the family...
In the 1950s my uncle Joe Bengough's father, Jim Bengough owned and operated
Jim's Machine Shop.
The full-service machine shop was powered by a series of belts and pullies each running to a different machine in the shop
And though they primarily provided welding and machining services, their process was much the same as the process we use today to hand make our knives.
How to: The process for making a leather stack handle
Cutting and drilling the leather...
Dry fitting the leather on the tang...
Dry fitting the leather on the tang...
In this style handle, it requires a numerous amount of leather pieces. Each piece is roughly 1.5" square. Each piece also has to have a hole drilled in it.
Dry fitting the leather on the tang...
Dry fitting the leather on the tang...
Dry fitting the leather on the tang...
This handle required 45 pieces of leather to complete the stack. Before epoxy, dry fitting the leather is important to ensure you have enough.
Applying epoxy...
Dry fitting the leather on the tang...
Rough grind to shape...
Epoxy is applied between each piece of leather. Each piece also has to be pushed down on the tang tight to avoid any air pockets or openings after it sets.
Rough grind to shape...
Rough grind to shape...
Rough grind to shape...
After the epoxy has dried, it is now time to grind the hardened leather to a comfortable shape.
Adding the pommel...
Rough grind to shape...
Adding the pommel...
The pommel is a very important part of the handle construction. It is essentially the end cap of the handle that provides stability and a finished look.
Finishing it up...
Rough grind to shape...
Adding the pommel...
Once the pommel is installed, shaped and sanded the leather can be stained and a finish coat applied to complete the process.
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