|
Hi! I’m
Gene Martin and welcome to my website!
As you view my site, you need to
know a few things about me. First, every knife or blade
on my site was made by me, right here in Southern
Oregon, in the USA. I believe in providing you with
quality, whether a blade blank, a no frills working
knife, or a work of edged art. There is no substitute
for quality and I believe my work reflects that.
|
|
Now
for a little information about me. I’ve been making
knives for 15 years. I started with a kit knife, then
went to blade blanks by Bob Engnath, then making my own
knives.
|
|
Along
the way I was mentored by some really fine people. Bob
taught me to flat grind, as well as to scrimshaw. Other
mentors include Ralph Freer, who taught me to hollow
grind, Bill Herndon and Jim Ferguson, who both taught me a
lot, and Wayne Goddard. |
|
Wayne taught me to make damascus and folding knives,
as well as the Intro to Bladesmithing class at the ABS
School in Arkansas. Wayne is a good friend. |
I
was fortunate enough to spend 6 weeks at the
Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, aka the ABS School in Washington ,
Arkansas run through Texarkana College. I attended the Intro to
Bladesmithing, Handles and Guards, Mosaic Damascus, and a Bladesmithing
Lab. Each class was an adventure in learning.
I
do both stock removal and forging, since I
believe there is a place for both arts. I make my own damascus and
mosaic damascus, although I also use damascus by Jim Ferguson and Devin
Thomas. I make my own mokume. My blade blanks are a way to help the
beginners, as I once was, or those who want to make a knife without
buying a shop. It is also a way to give back something to those who
taught me so much along the way.
On my logo you will find my name and the letters
TGBTG. Those letters stand for To God Be The Glory. What skills and
abilities I possess in this life I owe to Him and I want to give Him the
credit for it.
So come on in, enjoy my site, and if you can’t
find what you are looking for, give me a call or send me an email. If I
don’t have it I can probably make it. After all, that’s what custom
knifemaking is all about.
|
Once
in awhile we get visitors to the shop. These twin fawns were
curious about what was going on. |
 |
|
