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.