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About Me

   
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North Bay Forge was founded in 1987 when my wife and I moved to Waldron Island. Toolsmithing held a particular fascination for me in its technical metallurgical aspects because of my engineering background. (I graduated from Rutgers University in 1980 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.) I was absolutely intrigued with applying theoretical concepts to highly refined steels that I could hammer on my anvil, heat treat, and then run a myriad of tests to see which ones held up the best! Such was the beginning of my education in this trade which has become my life's work.

Back when I had recently graduated from college, a fellow Engineer told me, “It’s the Metalurgical Engineers who really walk on water”. That comment stuck with me and may be partly why I went into Toolsmithing – inspired to use the old methods of hand forging, with more of an understanding of the metallurgy. I sometimes muse that I’ve taken that to another level that very few understand by focusing a great deal of my life’s work as a Blacksmith on packing the grains of high carbon steel to provide ultimate edge holding -- as I strive to walk above the water, and wander amoung the clouds…

After over three decades of making thousands of knives, I am still challenged to make the absolute best knives I can so that the people who use them will be amazed at how well they perform - that is what keeps me going.

The most meaningful part of my business is having great customers who appreciate my tools. Thank you all!

 
Straight Knives
 
Double Edge Bent Knives
 
Knife Blanks
 
Adzes
 
Fishtail Bullnose Chisels
 
Drawknives
 
Scorps
 
Bushcraft Survival Knives
 
Little Skinner
 
A Cut Above
 
Cutlery
 
Custom Tools
 
New Tools
 
Forged Check
 
Super Blades
 
 

About the Knives

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 * Using Them
 
 * Sharpening Them
 
 * Forging a Blade
 
(* contain very short videos)
 

Galleries

Artists' Carvings
 
Decorative Ironwork
 
Classes
 


My carving knives are intended for serious wood carvers. They are razor sharp and can be very dangerous if used improperly. Please be careful and don't allow young people to use them unsupervised.

Your satisfaction is fully guaranteed. If you have a problem of any kind with one of my knives, please let me know. I will make it right with you.

 
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Copyright © 2005 North Bay Forge by Jim Wester
with thanks to Tina Rose
feedback welcome   jimwester@northbayforge.com