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Mammoth Tusk Knife Handles

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From the Ice Age to the Game Fair One of the most exciting parts of being a knifemaker is working with materials that have a story to tell, and few materials can match the history of mammoth tusk. As preparations continue for this year's Game Fair, I've been setting aside two stabilised mammoth tusk scales that will become the handles for a pair of very special hunting knives. These aren't materials that come along every day. Preserved for thousands of years in the frozen ground of the Arctic, mammoth tusk offers a unique combination of history, beauty and rarity. What makes mammoth tusk so appealing is that no two pieces are ever the same. The natural colours, grain patterns and ancient cracks create stunning character that simply cannot be replicated. Every handle tells its own story, making each finished knife completely unique. These two knives are intended to be showcase pieces, pairing premium blade steels with one of the most remarkable handle materials available to ...

New Kiln Day

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A New Chapter for Skol Knives Every workshop reaches a point where an investment isn't just about buying new equipment—it's about improving quality, consistency, and the future of the craft. This week, that investment arrived in the form of a dedicated heat-treating kiln. For years I've been making knives with a focus on creating practical tools that are built to be used. While design, grinding, and handle work are all important, heat treatment is what truly brings a blade to life. It's the stage that determines how well a knife holds an edge, resists wear, and performs in the field. The new kiln gives me precise temperature control and repeatable heat-treatment cycles, allowing me to get the very best from the steels I use. It will also allow me to work more confidently with premium steels and continue improving the quality of every knife that leaves the Skol Knives workshop. As with any new piece of equipment, there will be plenty of testing, note-taking, and refining...

Blacksmith for the day

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A Day at the Forge with Anvil & Yew One of the things I enjoy most about knife making is that there's always something new to learn. This week I had the opportunity to spend some time at the forge with Dr Zech Jinks of anvilandyew.co.uk⁠�, and it was a fantastic experience. Although I make knives regularly, most of my work starts with bar stock rather than forging. Spending time at the anvil and learning some traditional blacksmithing techniques gave me a whole new appreciation for the skill, patience and precision involved in shaping hot steel with nothing more than hammer, anvil and fire. Under Zech's guidance, I forged a knife from start to finish, learning how to move steel efficiently, control the shape of the blade and work with the material rather than against it. The knife produced may not be perfect, but every hammer blow taught me something new. As makers, it's easy to stay within our comfort zones, but days like this remind me of the value of learning from ot...

New Hunting Designs

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 The Bushcraft Show may now be behind us, but the workshop certainly isn’t slowing down. Now the focus shifts towards the The National Game Fair and I’ve already started sketching out a new line of hunting and field blades for the show. On the bench at the moment is a beautiful raindrop Damascus billet that’s going to become something very special, alongside fresh billets of AEB-L stainless and SF100 stainless ready for the next batch of working knives. The aim is simple — practical hunting blades built to be used, with steels chosen for real field performance, edge stability and reliability. Plenty more to come over the next few weeks as these designs start turning into finished knives. #skolknives #knifemaking #customknives #damascussteel #aebl #sf100 #handmadeknife #huntingknife #fieldknife #bushcraftknife #ukknifemaker #builttobeused #thenationalgamefair #gamefair #knifecommunity #knifeaddict #knifelife #bladesmith #madeintheuk 

Back from the 2026 Bushcraft Show

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Back From The Bushcraft Show 2026 The Bushcraft Show 2026 was an incredible experience and I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who visited the Skol Knives stand over the weekend. It was great meeting so many people who genuinely appreciate handmade tools, traditional craftsmanship and time spent outdoors. One of the best parts of the show was being able to talk directly with customers, answer questions and watch people pick up the knives and immediately understand what they were designed for — real use in the field. The response to the puukkos, bushcraft knives, fire kits, ferro rods and strops was fantastic, and several of the show special knives found new homes over the weekend. Seeing that level of appreciation for handmade work makes all the hours in the workshop worthwhile. The atmosphere throughout the show was brilliant, with excellent traders, knowledgeable visitors and a real passion for bushcraft and the outdoors everywhere you looked. Now that th...

Getting ready for the Bushcraft Show

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Getting everything ready for the Bushcraft Show 2026! The new Skol Knives display signs, information boards and price cards are finally finished and ready for the stand. I wanted the setup to reflect what Skol Knives is all about — traditional craftsmanship, practical outdoor tools and knives that are built to be used. From the Scandinavian bushcraft specials to the handmade neck knives, strops, sharpening gear and care products, it’s all starting to come together now. Really looking forward to meeting people, talking knives and seeing these tools out in the wild where they belong. Huge amount of work goes into preparing for a show like this, but seeing the branding and display setup finished makes it feel real now. See you at the show! #SkolKnives #BushcraftShow2026 #BushcraftShow #HandmadeKnives #BushcraftKnife #ScandiKnife #Puukko #KnifeMaker #UKKnifemaker #HandForged #Bushcraft #OutdoorLife #KnifeCommunity #EDC #Craftsmanship #BuiltToBeUsed #MadeInUK #Northamptonshire #KnifeAddict ...

Busy getting ready for the Bushcraft Show

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Final prep is well underway for the 2026 The Bushcraft Show 2026. Blades are being finished, sheaths oiled, ferro rods packed and the workshop is running flat out. Every knife on the table is handmade here in Northamptonshire and built to be used — whether that’s out in the woods, around camp, or passed down for years to come. There’s something special about the final week before a show… the smell of leather and steel in the workshop, stacks of timber and antler on the bench, and that mix of excitement and nerves knowing people will soon be picking these knives up for the first time. Looking forward to seeing old faces, meeting new people and talking all things bushcraft around the stand. If you’re heading to the show, come and say hello to Skol Knives. #SkolKnives #BushcraftShow #BushcraftShow2026 #Bushcraft #BushcraftUK #KnifeMaker #HandmadeKnives #CustomKnife #BushcraftKnife #OutdoorLife #ForgedInTheUK #HandmadeInBritain #Knifemaking #Woodsman #CampingLife #SurvivalTools #Puukko #ED...