close your eyes and try to imagine tacking a bull elk in the high country in autumn , there is about 2'' of snow on the ground , its clear skies as the sun pops over snow capped peaks breaking through the canopy of lodge pole your breath goes straight to the sky , he's bugled back just once, you’ve got to get through the timber cross the ridge his tracks [and his cows ] are headed down into a basin the sun isn't shining there yet ,the entire basin is shrouded in mist as the warmth of the earth evaporates the fresh snow . The sides of the basin are steep ,bear grass covered with wet autumn snow ,your heart is pounding , beads of sweat stream down your forehead you feel more alive,more connected melting into the landscape no longer the intruder who crawled out of a warm sleeping bag hours ago fumbling , groping , asking yourself ''why am I here ?'' Your close now , he's rank , there’s no mistaken it ,your nostrils flare its silent and still save the trickle of the small brook that divides the basin ,don't blow it . Stop . Think . Get into his head . Are you up to packing out of this hole miles from the nearest trail getting caught up in the rush and passion that only a herd bull can bring. You just descended close to a thousand feet ,think about it.......maybe the camera this time,maybe he'll get to breed all these cows . You now realize that you may hold his fate in your hands .....what will it be like here when he's gone ....even though you still haven't seen him , intrinsically you know , you know he's special and so are you or you wouldn't be here stopped dead in your tracks in the middle of a small stream , mid September , lungs burning ......its your call...
more later, K.E.W.
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