Yesterday a group of British Blades folk visited Stu Mitchell's workshop. I am sure many folk on here have admired Stu's knives and would like to see where they were made so here are some pickies.
The outside of the works, built in 1870 something I think Stu said as a cutlery works and rather lacking in investment for many years. Knowing Stu is a Wednesday fan I wanted to squeeze Sheffield Uniteds ground into the corner of the pic.
A talky bit to start.
Then some grinding...no jigs everything by eye, powerful grinders and big dust extractors.
Lots of knives and blades passed around
Stu with Dave Kopinsky
various handle materials
Different grinds, flat and scandi
I shall not post too many pics of knives here as you have seen the knives photographed in better light or if you have not visit Stu's website.
Most folk now use abrasive belts for stock removal and refining the bevel, the traditional Sheffield tools were stones followed by these things, I am having a brain block this morning and can't remember what they are called. Not sure what the material they are made from is but they are loaded with different grades or abrasive, stuck on in place of the big grinding wheel and used in the same way.
If you have one of Stu's knives chances are it was finished on this one
and here is one action under the watchful eye of Mr Badger sharpening a knife someone brought along.
and the final touch on a leather strop (no compound) to remove the "flash" I think Stu called it, a Sheff term for burr?
One last knife
and if you have bought a knife from Stu in the last couple of years it will have come packed like this with a certificate.
All the way through the process Stu is very attentive to the detail. He is not fussed about doing jobs himself that can better be done by other specialists so has folk do things like his hardening and tempering and his leatherwork. But he pointed out he is a great believer in a knife being only as good as its weakest part and that extends beyond fit and finish to the details like the sheath, the etch (Stu has his laser engraved which is crisper) and the packaging. I was impressed and I bet customers are too when their knife arrives. Oh and he is a lovely bloke too.
The outside of the works, built in 1870 something I think Stu said as a cutlery works and rather lacking in investment for many years. Knowing Stu is a Wednesday fan I wanted to squeeze Sheffield Uniteds ground into the corner of the pic.
A talky bit to start.
Then some grinding...no jigs everything by eye, powerful grinders and big dust extractors.
Lots of knives and blades passed around
Stu with Dave Kopinsky
various handle materials
Different grinds, flat and scandi
I shall not post too many pics of knives here as you have seen the knives photographed in better light or if you have not visit Stu's website.
Most folk now use abrasive belts for stock removal and refining the bevel, the traditional Sheffield tools were stones followed by these things, I am having a brain block this morning and can't remember what they are called. Not sure what the material they are made from is but they are loaded with different grades or abrasive, stuck on in place of the big grinding wheel and used in the same way.
If you have one of Stu's knives chances are it was finished on this one
and here is one action under the watchful eye of Mr Badger sharpening a knife someone brought along.
and the final touch on a leather strop (no compound) to remove the "flash" I think Stu called it, a Sheff term for burr?
One last knife
and if you have bought a knife from Stu in the last couple of years it will have come packed like this with a certificate.
All the way through the process Stu is very attentive to the detail. He is not fussed about doing jobs himself that can better be done by other specialists so has folk do things like his hardening and tempering and his leatherwork. But he pointed out he is a great believer in a knife being only as good as its weakest part and that extends beyond fit and finish to the details like the sheath, the etch (Stu has his laser engraved which is crisper) and the packaging. I was impressed and I bet customers are too when their knife arrives. Oh and he is a lovely bloke too.
