Tools for Bowmakers

I also make traditional woodworking tools for bow and instrument makers. The knives are mostly made from older cast steel straight razors. The handles are laminated to the blade blanks and can be shaped to suit your preference. The handles are shaped with an oval cross section and they will not readily roll off the workbench.

I have also made a version of the traditional Japanese “bamboo leaf” knife. Mine are forged, shaped, hardened and tempered from top quality file blanks. Finished knives are available with your choice of handle wrapping. The one pictured has a lizard skin leather wrapping and is approximately 6″ long.

I also supply various other tools, such as custom sized, flat-bottom, spade bits for drilling pearl dot recesses, Parisian eye cutting bits, specialty chisels and gouges, button and stick nipple cutters, etc.

Please e-mail me if you are interested in any of these tools or if you need something not described above.

Fetique-style knives with ebony and birds eye maple handles

Posted on by j aniano
Fetique-style knives with ebony and birds eye maple handles
These two knives with ebony and birds eye maple handles have blades ground from antique straight razors. The name “Fetique-style” stems from an old photograph of Victor Fetique where he is holding a long bladed knife. They have a low angle, single bevel blade with a higher angle “micro bevel”. They cut mostly as an aggressive scraping tool.

Bamboo Leaf Knife with leather grip

Posted on by j aniano
Bamboo Leaf Knife with leather grip, bevel side
The Bamboo Leaf Knife is a traditional Japanese woodworking tool that has become popular among some bow makers. I believe it was originally used for bow making by Mitsu Sasano. The tool has two bevels on either side of the blade and cuts in both directions. This example is made from a high carbon file blank with leather grip. The double bevel side is shown here.
Bamboo Leaf Knife with leather grip, flat side
The Bamboo Leaf Knife is a traditional Japanese woodworking tool. The flat, reverse side is shown.