My name is Steven A. Shipley. I make knives under the name of S.A.Shipley.My knife making came about in an unusual manner. A good friend, R.D.Millerof Garland Texas has been making knives for many years. I would photographthem for him in exchange for a knife every once in a while. When R.D.decided to retire, he took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. I usethe stock removal method. Currently I am making fixed blade hunting andtactical blades. Materials are ATS-34, 440-c, and Damascus blades. Handlematerials are of the finest and most exotic woods, ivory, Mammoth Ivory, andWalrus tusk. Most have bolsters of 416 Stainless or of Damascus. I likesimple smooth lines that blend well into working class blades. I also use acheckering file for added grip on the back of most blades, with 20 lines perinch. I can do file work for those that prefer it. Each blade is designed tofit well in the hand. I sketch the blade on paper, then transfer it to ?inch white Plexiglas. This gives me a chance to see how it feels in the handbefore cutting the blade out. All blades are hollow ground on an eight-inchwheel. The bolsters are designed after the blade is shaped to compliment thedesign. Most have a serpentine curve with perfect metal to handle materialfit. I only make two to three knives per month. Each is cut, shaped, andfitted like it was being made for a foreign dignitary. Each knife is thenpolished and finished with TLC. My son, Dan then makes a leather sheath tofit that blade. The end results are knives that are for the discriminatinghunter/collector.
 | Knife 1 Dama steel Odins Eye blade, 416 bolsters andpins, 22 Karet Gold inlay of Bear and Elkengraved by J.R.French, with desert ironwoodscales with red vulcanized spacers. $1195.00 |
 | Knife 2 Dama steel Odins Eye bird and fish knife with416 bolsters and pins, 22 k gold quail, anddeer by J.R.French. Ambonia Burl with redvulcanized spacers and thong hole. $1095.00 |
 | Knife 3 ATS-34 with 416 guard and fittings, staghandles $450 |
 | Knife 4 Devin Thomas ladder damascus, bladeand bolsters, stainless mosaic pins inbolster and handle, Walrus Ivoryhandle. $850 |
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