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Rusty is one of those guys that make it look so damned easy. I have been dicking around with Knifemaking for over a year, and I have yet to produce one that I would put on a table with a price tag. And forget about folders!
With some help from a childhood friend; Lynn Nester,
Rusty made his first knife in October of 2003. And The Hook Was Set !!
It didn’t hurt to be in the heart of Knifemaking Country. Through Lynn, Rusty met Jim Lemcke of “Texas Knifemaking Supply”. Jim is a wealth of knowledge and has helped many a would-be Knifemaker get hooked on the hobby. Jim encouraged Rusty to attend Johnny Stout’s up coming Hammer-in. Rusty Has Not Missed a Hammer-in Since !!
At a Hammer-in in Sept. 2004 Rusty met Master Knifemaker Bill Ruple. Bill is very generous with his hard earned knowledge and he loves an eager student. Rusty has spent many hours in Bill’s shop as Bill mentors him in the art of folder making. He made his first folder in March, 2005 and sold his first folder in April, 2005
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At the 2007, Arkansas Knifemakers Association Show, Rusty’s work was recognized as the ”Best Value of Show”. This judgment was made not only by Professional Knifemakers, but by men who have proven themselves to be astute businessmen in the Custom Knife Community. To me this says that a knife by J.R. Preston would be; not only a prize to own but an excellent investment.
A Few of Rusty's Fixed Blades & Sets
..."I use two methods on fixed blades. I will grind my own blades from bar stock or use commercially available blade blanks. When I use commercial blanks they first go into my oven to be annealed. Then I refine or sometimes redo the existing grind, add filework, relocate pinholes, drill for bolster pins or guards etc. When I put bolsters on a knife I dovetail them. I finish all my knives with a hand rubbed satin finish. All my fixed-blade knives come with a leather sheath that I make and hand stitch myself..."
Rusty made his first fixed blade in Sept. 2003 and sold his first fixed blade in Dec. 2003.
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Fixed blade. Filework/crosshatch on bolsters. Jigged bone with red spacer. 7 3/4" overall.
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Fixed blade. Filework around handle tang and out toward tip of blade. Nickle silver dovetailed bolsters. Jigged bone handles with red liner. 7 3/4" overall.
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Large Trapper. Two blades w/filework on springs and blades. Stabilized and dyed box elder burl with yellow spacer. 4 1/4" closed. Fixed blade. Filework around handle tang extending out toward tip of blade. Stabilized and dyed box elder burl with yellow spacer. 7 5/8". These two knives did not sell as a set.
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Click Above To Visit Rusty's Website
Email Rusty
HEREA Few Folders
..."My primary effort is toward perfecting my ability to make an excellent slip-joint folder. My folders are made from start to finish in my shop by myself. I like to work with ATS 34 and I am starting to work with Crucible Steels new CPM 154. I cut my blades and springs from flat stock,hollow grind my blades, and do my own heat treating. I temper my blades to a Rockwell 60 and my springs to Rockwell 45. I use either nickel silver or 410/416 stainless for liners and bolsters. Handle materials of choice are Micarta, stabilized woods, bone, ancient ivory, or man made composites..."
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Small Trapper with filework. Buffalo horn. 31/4" closed.
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Medium modified Trapper. Two blades. Fancy filework/springs only. jigged bone. 3 5/8" closed.
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Small single blade trapper. CPM 154 blade and spring. 410/416 s.s. liners/bolsters. Mother-of-pearl handle. Fancy file work. Inside liners and bolsters are jeweled. Knife closed is 3 3/16". Blade is 2 1/8". Opened is 5 3/8".
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