Welcome to Huston Metalworks!
Please take a look at the gallery to see some examples of my work! If you want more information about me, the site, or how I do things around here, be sure to check out the "About" section as well.It is also worth mentioning that if you live in the St. Louis, Missouri area and would like to work out local pickup rather than shipping, please email me prior to placing an order.
Gallery
Meet Josh Huston
I have always been fascinated by old things. Swords, castles, leather armor, you name it and I probably think it is interesting. It was no surprise to my family when I turned a pile of old bricks and a hair dryer into my first forge.
Since then, I have built more tools and expanded to knife making and other crafts. If I'm not spending time with my family, I can usually be found playing video games or lurking around my shop.
Talk to me!
Have an idea for something you would like made? Want to order something with an option that isn't listed? Need a quote for 127 blacksmith-made nails? I want to hear from you! Emailing me is the best way to get in touch.
Blades!
Currently available blades:
None at this time. Check back later!
Looking for something sharp? Then this is the place to be!
Occasionally I will have finished knives posted here for sale, but if you want a knife made I recommend contacting me for a custom one! At the moment I have a few "standard" designs that you can choose from, or we can come up with something completely unique! If you are interested in a knife, shoot me an email and we can bring it to life!
Things to consider when requesting a knife:
Blade length
Handle type and shape
Handle material
Hardware material (pins, bolsters, guards, etc)
Sheath style
Sheath materials
Sheath colors
The more information you can give me on what you want, the easier it will be for me to finalize a design and get the ball rolling.
So how tough are these bad boys?
I started with a lot of research on the type of steel I was using and then did some tests of my own to confirm what I read. You can't always trust the internet!To make sure that I am confident in the knives I make, I made test knives like the ones below to make sure the heat treatment I give each knife is top notch. I put razor sharp edges on them, then put them to the test! This included cutting tests on leather, wood, paper, and whatever else I happen to have lying around. After I performed the test I check the edge to make sure it is still shaving sharp.The last step was to make sure the knife will take a beating! I threw the knife at the pavement along it's edge and on it's tip to make sure the edge doesn't chip or crack. Then I put it in the vise and bent it back and forth to make sure it didn't break! The test knife that passed all the tests was the method I based all further heat treating of that steel on.
Two of the test knives. One didn't pass the test, but the one in the back passed with flying colors! That bent knife, after all the beatings it took, is still sharp enough to shave with!
Let's talk about handles, yeah?
A lot of people think of knives having wood handles, and that is great! BUT, there are also a lot of other great materials that can be used. One benefit of composites is that, unlike wood, it won't change size or shape due to changes in humidity or when it gets wet. Below is a breakdown of some of the materials I like to use for my handles.
G-10
G-10 is a fiberglass based laminate material. Layers of thin fiberglass sheets and coated in a resin, compressed, and baked. The resulting composite is very durable and lightweight. You can get G-10 in black and other color layering(such as blue/black). A lot of modern pocketknives use this material!
Micarta
Micarta is created in much the same way as G-10. Instead of fiberglass, the layers are typically made from linen or canvas. Micarta can come in a multitude of layered or solid colors. Micarta is used on knives ranging from bushcraft to art pieces.
Hardwoods
People have been using wood for handles for a very long time. Common woods used on handles today include walnut, ebony, maple, koa, and desert ironwood. The list of wood I've seen used could go on forever! If you have seen a type of wood that strikes your fancy, it has probably been used as a handle at some point. Most of the knives I make have wood handles, and bocote wood is my most popular request!
Got some shopping to do? Try here!
Don't see what you are looking for? Head over the my contact page and maybe I can bring your creation to life!
The Shop
I know a lot of people new to metalworking or blacksmithing have a lot of questions about what sort of tools and equipment people use. I'd like to post some pictures and a brief description of what I use, and maybe it will get some new enthusiasts researching some new toys!
This is the belt grinder I use. It is an older version of the Grinder-In-A-Box from Polar Bear Forge. Currently it is a simplified model, using just a 1.5HP single phase motor. The wheels are from Beaumont Metalworks, and the flat platen has a piece of kitchen tile on it to smooth things out. I use 2x72-inch grinding belts. Grinders can be an expensive investment, but man it makes your life easier!
Another invaluable tool for blacksmithing is a post or leg vise. This type of vise is extremely rugged and will take a serious beating, which makes it perfect for blacksmiths.
The anvil I use is a very, very old Peter Wright anvil. It is about 115 pounds and is fantastic!
One of the forges I use is an Ellis 12-VT forge. It is a vertical, forced-air propane forge and it is wonderful!
Returns & Warranty
Please Note:
All items are handmade by me. What you receive may look slightly different from the posted image, and may have tooling marks or other evidence of being handmade.
Returns
All items other than knives are covered under a 14 day return policy. If you wish to return an item please email me. Returns will be accepted so long as the item is in the same condition as it was when I shipped it, and it is returned with all original packaging and documentation. I do not cover return shipping.With knives I offer a 30 day, no questions asked return policy. If for any reason you are unhappy with your purchase, simply ship it back to me.
Warranty
I only sell the highest quality items, so I stand behind them. If there is a failure due to materials or my workmanship then I will make it right.Warranty claims made on knives are a bit of a different story. As stated above, I cover failure due to materials or workmanship, but I don't cover damage from abuse. I understand the feeling of having a brand new knife and wanting to see what it is capable of. I can assure you, it is capable of doing all manner of things that it probably shouldn't actually do. You can probably use the tip as a screwdriver or throw it (you may even hit the target), but doing so will likely damage it since it isn't intended to do that. If a knife is damaged due to abuse or reckless "testing", then the warranty is voided.However, I also understand that sometimes using a knife in ways it isn't meant to can be the only course of action in an emergency. If that was the case, explain what happened and I may be able to get it fixed for you.If you have a return or warranty claim to make, please email me at [email protected] (pictures help)
Frequently Asked Questions
WHO MAKES THE THINGS FOUND IN THE GALLERY AND STORE?
I do! Everything you see on this site is made by me.
WHY DO SOME OF THE ITEMS LOOK ROUGH OR SPECKLED?
I prefer to leave a lot of my metal items with the "worked metal" look. It looks sort of two-toned because the steel oxidizes while being worked at the forge and anvil. Some people may prefer their metal items to be very shiny and pristine, and that is fine. If it is a knife, I want it to be polished and mark-free. However, I think leaving the marks on other worked items adds to the beauty and really drives home that this item was made by hand, by a craftsman.
WHAT TYPE OF METAL DO YOU USE?
Most of my items are made out of mild steel. The miscellaneous parts like wire wrappings could be copper or other alloys. Currently, the knives I make are all a high carbon, non-stainless steel such as 1070/1080 or 5160. In the future I would like to use stainless, but I need more equipment for heat treating. I would want to be 100% confident in the heat treatment I used, and I don't currently have the necessary equipment.
DO YOUR KNIVES COME WITH SHEATHS?
Absolutely! Every knife I sell comes with some sort of covering for the blade. I make sure every blade is razor sharp, so that sheath is as much for your protection as it is for the blade. Some knife makers use the "I work metal, not leather" excuse, but every quality knife requires a quality sheath!