Merry Christmas from the Caffrey’s!

 I wanted to wish everyone a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

  Things are going well here.  I’m healing up well from my recent lung surgery.  I still get tired easily, but that’s only temporary..until I can get myself back in shape.   Right after Christmas I should be able to start working on a new thing for me.   I’m planning on making a run of my EBKs in a stainless version!  Many people have requested my EBKs in stainless, and I’m finally going to do it.

  

  I also have a few EBKs in carbon steel that I will be posting for sale on my website and forums.  Keep an eye on my EBK Update Page for their appearance.   You can also visit my forums :

Ed’s Forum on The Knife Network

Ed’s Forum on Knife Dogs.com

 We wish all of you a Wonderful Christmas, and Blessed New Year!

Getting Recovered and back to work!

 

  After my recent lung surgery, I have now been cleared by the Docs to go back to work!  The hand of God has carried me through this whole situation…immediately following the surgery, the Doc told us that this was a malignant tumor.  When the first biopsy came back about a week later, it had turned into a malignant tumor that was non-cancerous.   At my first follow up after surgery (Dec 10th), the Surgeon gave us the “final biopsy report, which stated that the tumor was benign and non-cancerous!!    My family and I are very grateful and thankful for all the wonderful people who were praying for me, and checking in on us.  

  Although I’ve been anxious to get going in the shop, I’m finding that its going to take bit to get back to full speed.  I did a bit of forge work today, and after a couple of hours had to take a rest.  I’m going to TRY to fulfill all of my Christmas commitments, as long as I can keep going.  For those who have knives on order, I will be contacting each of you shortly to reconfirm things, and let you know that I’ve not forgotten you!   Thank you for being patient during my recent medical issues. 

KNIFE NEWS 

  For a while now I have had folks asking for my EBK knives in stainless steel.  I have decided that its time.  Within the next month or so you should see some EBKs for sale in Sandvik’s 13C26 steel.  I’ll determine the exact price of the Stainless models once a get a couple of them done and can better estimate the overall cost.

 

Home From the Hospital

I made it home from the hospital on Wed, 18 Nov.  They removed a small portion of my right lung,  The biopsy results showed the growth to be  non-cancerous!   The Doctor tried, but was unable to get to it with the “scope” and had to make about a 10” incision between two ribs, then spread those ribs to gain access.  Talk about being sore!  I’ve done nothing but sit in my recliner and sleep in my bed for the last two days…just can’t do much else.

I’ve been restricted to basically doing nothing for the next three weeks.  Looks like I’ll be spending a lot of time in this recliner, surfing the web.   I plan to write some new articles for my website, including one on advice for those presenting knives for their JS or MS tests in Atlanta.

  All of my friends in the Knife World have been just wonderful!  I simply can’t thank everyone enough for their prayers, well wishes, and support.  Its gona be a slow process getting healed up and back in the shop, but I can assure you that I’m already missing it.   

To all those who have orders waiting, I may be a month or two behind, but rest assured that I will get back into the shop and get busy on your order(s).   I’ll keep everyone update via this Blog, as well as this thread on my Forum at the Knife Network.

Surgery is upon me

  I’ll be going into the hospital on Monday morning, 16 Nov. for surgery.  Depending on the outcome, I could be down as little as a couple of weeks, or as long as 6 months.  I’m believing in, and praying for the short term recovery.  Cindy and I will be keeping everyone updated via my Forum on the Knife Network.  Thanks to all who have sent up prayers on our behalf.  The support of all my friends in the Knife World has been overwhelming, and very much appreciated!

Stainless Steel from a Bladesmith??

Thats what I’m getting ready to do.  I’ve always resisted using stainless steels, simply because I have always felt that their drawbacks far out weighed their advantages.  After much consideration, and a lot of requests, I will be producing a few knives in stainless steel.  This is due partially to the fact that there is a segment of clients out there who have placed standing orders with me if I ever made XXX in stainless.   Secondly I am currently faced with a situation where I must have surgery, and depending on the out come, I may not be physically able to forge for a while.  These factors have given me the incentive. 

In the beginning my plan is to produce my EBK series of knives in a stainless version.  After a lot of research, I’ve decided that 13C26 from Sandvik will be the steel I go with….at least for now.  Due to the limited thickness availability of this steel (.130 is the max thickness its produced in), and IF this type of material sells, I will consider producing other blades such as hunters, and combat styles in stainless versions.  

  If you have any thoughts on this, please let me know!  I’m very interested if folks would be interested in a stainless alternative from me.

October 2009 Update

Late September and October have been a trying time around the Caffrey household.  In Sept I was diagnosed with a kidney stone, and during a CT scan for that, the Docs found a “nodule” on my right lung.  Right now the Docs tell us that there is an 80% chance that it non-cancerous, but that makes it none the less scary.  I’ve been keeping everyone updated via my internet forum on The Knife Network (Ed’s Forum).   The Docs tell me that this thing needs to be removed, and since its in such a location that can only be reached via surgery. I’ll be visiting that Doc next week.  What they are telling me right now is that they will go in, get a piece of this thing and biopsy it right in the O.R.  If its non-cancerous, they will take only it (its about the size of a quarter).  If it shows any signs of cancer they will take the entire upper lobe of my right lung.  I would appreciate any prayers that you could offer.   I have no doubt that the hand of God has been in this whole affair.  Had it not been for the kidney stone, and the associated CT scan, this thing would not have been found, at least until it started bothering me…and by then it would likely have been too late.    Seems there has been a rash of things like this lately.

  As far as recovery goes, the Docs say that depending on how much of me they have to remove, my rehab/recovery could be as little as 2, or as long as 6 months.  Cindy (my Wife) has already laid down the law that I will not be allowed in the forging shop while I’m recovering, but my plan is to get a bunch of things forged out, and hopefully will be able to at least do finish work.  As I learn more about this situation, I’ll keep everyone posted.

New Knives Available!

I currently have a few available pieces on my website.  Here’s a peek of what’s available…

 

View Full Album

 

You can view all the knives, specs, and prices on my website’s Available Knives Page.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the email “contact information” listed below the description of each knife.