And here are a couple of very special people in my life - my daughter Elizabeth and son David.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Growing up in Northern Ontario , spending time in the bush was a natural.  And that is what we did as teenagers - camping, fishing, hunting and just plain hanging out (truth is, North Bay didn't have a mall - we had to go somewhere).

 

Of course, carrying a knife was just natural, and was used for everything, from skinning small game for dinner, to trout for lunch, to plain old whittling and throwing at trees.  I can even remember carrying sheath knives to school - try that today!!!

 

Having finished school it was off to Toronto, where I married and raised a family.   Tried to get up north at least a couple of times each year, family vacations, at least one fishing trip and a week sitting under a pine pretending I was deer hunting.  Clears the mind and makes one appreciate the beauty of nature.

 

About 1990 I met Ron Post, from nearby South River, and bought several of his custom made knives for myself, and as gifts.  Ron makes great knives, and heavily influenced the style and materials I have adopted.  And I discovered the Canadian Knifemakers Guild annual show, where the real world of knifemaking became evident.

 

By about 2000 I decided this was something I just had to try - so with the help of Jim Downie, I bought a grinder, the basic equipment recommended by Jim, and began.

 

With the support of Jim and Ron, and several visits to their shops, during which they were very generous with tips and hands-on demonstrations, it wasn't long before I was really hooked!  In 2004 I was accepted into the CKG, and attended my first show, where I was thrilled to find people admired (and puchased) my knives.

 

Now there is little I enjoy more than heading down to the shop to tinker and try new blade designs.

 

Many of the knives I make are custom ordered, often to the customers design and specifications for materials.  I also love working with leather, and have made several sheaths for people who have a special knife that wants a better place to live.

 

I don't produce a lot of knives in any one year, but try to find time to attend 1 or 2 shows each year, to meet outdoorsmen (and women) and also the other makers, to catch up on new techniques, materials and designs.

 

Now I am back in North Bay.  And if you're ever in North Bay, or just passing through to hunt or fish further north, give a call if you have a  minute or two to stop by for coffee.  If you need equipment or gear, stop into Lefebvre's Sports on Main Street.  I went to school with Jerry Lefebvre, and he has everything you need for a quality time outdoors. 

Near Espanola, Ont. 

Dec. 2008

Northern Virginia

Outside my back door - Unbelievable!