The Workbench

A collection of our posts about things we’ve made, things we’ve designed, or things we’re customized!

A Prototype Low-Angle Bevel Gauge

Most bevel gauges on the market are poor for measuring edge angles. The typical fixed-angle type cannot give you a ...

A 1″ All-Steel Chisel From A Snow Plow Blade

A 1" wide solid steel chisel made from a section of a 1/2"-thick 1080 steel snow plow blade. The blade ...

Prototype Universal Axe Handle From Split Stock

This prototype universal-fit axe handle is made from split hickory, for perfect end-to-end grain, measuring 1-7/16" x 3-5/8" with an ...

Experiments In Ammonia Bending Wood

Back in the 1960's, researchers discovered that wood could be plasticized by use of treatment with ammonia gas in a ...

Introducing The Grimalkin!

A compact utility fixed blade made in the USA with 1095 high carbon steel at 58 RC. The oval handle ...

Forged Traveler’s Celt Mockup

A forged rough mockup of our Traveler's Celt wilderness tool design. Depending on how it's rigged up, the tool may ...

Baryonyx “Arctic Fox” Scythe Stone

A beautiful ice blue scythe stone made for us in the USA to our specifications. 400 grit aluminum oxide with ...

North Star Snath–Early Prototype

An initial proof of concept of the North Star snath. The snath is produced in two parts, and joined by ...

Restoration: Seymour No.2 Bush Snath

A professionally restored Seymour No.2 bush snath outfitted with a new old stock Swedish-made Banko bush blade. The Seymour No.2, ...

A Traditional “Rag Knife”

A traditional style of farm knife made from a broken American scythe blade, usually used for topping root crops. The ...

A Good Hollow Scythe Bevel

This is ideally what an American blade's bevel should look like prior to honing. Note how far back the bevel ...

Customized Rinaldi Italian Machete

An excellent Italian machete from Rinaldi given a drop point and full regrind. The blade is distal tapered and fully ...

Customized Condor Michigan Axe

A Condor Michigan axe head ground and polished to a hazy mirror finish, and a high centerline ground in. The ...
One of the labels on a Banko scythe blade by Igelfors Liefabrik of Sweden

“Banko” American Pattern Scythe Blades by Igelfors Liefabrik of Sweden

New old stock laminated grass and bush blades, made in Sweden, imported by the Sandvik Saw & Tool Co. of ...

Vintage American Scythe–Offset Seymour Ironclad

A fully restored and tuned Seymour Ironclad swing socket snath outfitted with an Emerson & Stevens "Clipper" grain cradle blade ...
Right Side

Solving the Tomahawk Handle Knob Problem

Shown here is a 350g Rinaldi "Calabria" hand axe with a modified handle. A common complaint raised regarding slip fit ...

American Scythe Restoration: Unidentified 32″ Grass Blade

Heel To Toe: 32" Overall Length: 34 & 1/4" Tang Angle: 17° Weight: 1lb 7.8oz ...

An Uncommonly Nice Bushlore!

Once in a great while we have a knife or tool come in that's especially stunning, and this knife is ...
Care must be taken to avoid heating the edge.

Adjusting the Tang Angle of American Pattern Scythe Blades

American pattern scythe blades traditionally come from the factory with the tang flat, and they are adjusted to the proper angle ...

A collection of writings on edged tools from the folks at Baryonyx Knife Co.