K.E.Westbrook Blades
Hand Forged Knives For Woodsmen and Woodswomen
About Us
Greetings from Ken & Karla ! We live in Eureka, a rural logging community just south of the Canadian border in the NW corner of Montana. We are both self taught artists and lead a practical and self-sufficient lifestyle with six children still in the nest. Our beautiful environment has a big influence on our art and all of our creative inspirations!
Welcome to K.E.Westbrook Blades
BIOGRAPHY :
K.E. Westbrook Blades For Woodsmen and Women has grown through many years of experience with using a knife as a work tool and crafting his own blades. Ken, at a very early age, having grown up on a farm, with hunting and trapping as well, all lent itself to his style of blade smithing. Ken’s first knife making attempt was at age 17 with a few found pieces of mild steel (not knowing a dog gone thing about carbon content and heat treating), and an old side grinder in the barn... those first knives were big clunkers! Years rolled by and it took a lot of bad knives to get to the good ones, until he could finally be really confident in his work. Being self taught takes time, especially with teachers like Mr.Trial and Mrs.Error. Having been his own worst critic has helped in the long run. He continued to find things others had missed, so he looked to see what the exceptional smiths were doing. It pushed and inspired him to move ahead. He made due with salvaged materials out of necessity. Recycled steel, wood and antler became the norm.
Today Ken is forging knives and making sheaths of an heirloom quality with the inspiration of his Montana mountain lifestyle. He has no qualms with modern blade making, he just likes making them the old way.
Knives handforged by Ken reflect his love for nature and wilderness life in Montana. Each blade is unique and designed with a specific purpose.
visit our website to see what blades Ken has on hand: www.kootenaiartcamp.com
You are welcome to contact Ken or Karla at their e-mail address: knives@interbel.net
K.E. Westbrook Blades For Woodsmen and Women has grown through many years of experience with using a knife as a work tool and crafting his own blades. Ken, at a very early age, having grown up on a farm, with hunting and trapping as well, all lent itself to his style of blade smithing. Ken’s first knife making attempt was at age 17 with a few found pieces of mild steel (not knowing a dog gone thing about carbon content and heat treating), and an old side grinder in the barn... those first knives were big clunkers! Years rolled by and it took a lot of bad knives to get to the good ones, until he could finally be really confident in his work. Being self taught takes time, especially with teachers like Mr.Trial and Mrs.Error. Having been his own worst critic has helped in the long run. He continued to find things others had missed, so he looked to see what the exceptional smiths were doing. It pushed and inspired him to move ahead. He made due with salvaged materials out of necessity. Recycled steel, wood and antler became the norm.
Today Ken is forging knives and making sheaths of an heirloom quality with the inspiration of his Montana mountain lifestyle. He has no qualms with modern blade making, he just likes making them the old way.
Knives handforged by Ken reflect his love for nature and wilderness life in Montana. Each blade is unique and designed with a specific purpose.
visit our website to see what blades Ken has on hand: www.kootenaiartcamp.com
You are welcome to contact Ken or Karla at their e-mail address: knives@interbel.net