Batwing Forge Custom Knives.

11/10/2026

Teak oil, rapeseed oil, Danish oil, chilli olive oil, tung oil, 3 in 1 oil, extra virgin olive oil, and cycle oil.........I needed linseed oil.

11/10/2026

I wasn't happy with the French polish finish that I experimented with yesterday. I'm going to try a few more layers, but at this stage, I think that it's a bit too dark for the wood I'm using it on. I'll find out soon, but I may well end up removing it....Other jobs are to start the tanning process on an ethically sourced fox pelt (roadkill), and more work on the Yanagiba.

10/10/2026

The process of commissioning a bespoke knife is quite complex. Choices have to be made regarding the type of steel, shape and size of blade, grind, finish, handle material and sheath.
The Batwing Forge information pack contains information on the various steel options available, handle materials, and other information that will help to make these choices. Link to info pack in comments.
As always, questions are welcome and advice is available at every step during the design and production process. Batwing Forge works closely with each client to design and create a unique blade just how you want it.

10/10/2026

Health and safety: I had a go at French polishing yesterday. French polish is made by dissolving shellac ( a type of waxy secretion produced by the Lac bug), in denatured alcohol. Apparently when this liquid has been applied to wood, the cloth that was used to apply it can spontaneously combust in a similar way to a cloth used with linseed oil. Please be careful if using French polish, and wash / dispose of the cloth used to apply it in a safe manner. I've been using an old shirt, and it's now being stored in an airtight steel ammo box.

09/10/2026

One of my jobs for today is to bring this yanagiba sashimi knife as close to my current quality standards as possible. Made around August 2024, it has a single bevel (right handed use) 1095 carbon steel blade. Differentially hardened with a brushed finish on the flat and a mirror polish on the bevel. The handle is bog oak, with red liners and brass pins.

08/10/2026

The Criminal Justice Act 1988, section 141 defines the banned offensive weapon known as a 'hollow kubotan' as: 'being a cylindrical container containing a number of sharp spikes'.

07/10/2026

New changes to UK knife related legislation. IF the police legally enter your home, they can now take ANY knife that they find on the premises. Prior to this change, the police could only legally take knives of the types classed as banned offensive weapons, such as 'zombie knives', 'flick knives', 'gravity knives', 'disguised knives', 'helix knives', 'foot claws' (legal definition of which would also include mountaineering crampons for ice climbing). The recent change means that police can take ANY knife if they decide that it is intended for criminal use. Legal pocket knives, bladed tools, kitchen knives all included.

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06/10/2026

The premier blade show in the UK was a few days ago. The Sharp Show https://www.thesharpshow.com/ will be back next year and I'm hoping to be there as an exhibitor to showcase the work produced by Batwing Forge. As well as showing my work and potentially selling some of it, it'll also be a great oppertunity to meet other makers, and representitives from some of the companies that I buy materials from. I've got a year to get moving with production, and make blades to have available for the show, as well as working on my usual bespoke creations....It's going to get busy!

The Sharp Show, the UK's biggest knife show. Where knife makers and collectors can connect!

06/10/2026

Just about reached the level of polish required on this blade. Almost ready to start fitting the paua shell / resin handle scales.

06/10/2026

After going as far as I can with the belt grinder, I move on to a whetstone.