Hi, I am Rob Stevens, 25+ year member of the WCHA.

I learned blacksmithing in order to understand how to make wood-working tools.

I volunteered as a historical blacksmith interpreter at the forge in a pioneer village.

I became interested in building traditional wood-canvas canoes, so took a hands-on course.

I also wanted to build a birchbark canoe, so learned to apply blacksmithing skills to making knives and crooked knives. I was fortunate to be given some Sheffield, England made crooked knife trade blades.

I also made some blades from old files, though haven't yet tried using a straight razor.

So far, I haven't gotten around to building a birchbark canoe (model or full-sized).

I did once collect bark to build a canoe, but it wasn't the proper quality, and delaminated into 4 or 5 layers.

Anyway, below are also some pictures of the knives I made, including embellishments of a bear, beaver, swan, eagle, and "dinosaur" (serrated back).

Once I find the box that I put the rest in when we moved, I can post more pictures.

Just checking in to say hello. My name is Ferdy Goode of beaverbarkcanoes.wordpress.com