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KNIFEMAKING IS A PASSION
Every little detail becomes a passion to be perfect... a passion to make the best knife you have ever made every time you are making a knife.
HOW DID I BEGIN MAKING KNIVES?
In 1978 I made my first knife while working as a tradesman saw filer in a Bend, Oregon sawmill. I had noticed some other saw filers working on
KNIFEMAKING IS A PASSION
Every little detail becomes a passion to be perfect... a passion to make the best knife you have ever made every time you are making a knife.
HOW DID I BEGIN MAKING KNIVES?
In 1978 I made my first knife while working as a tradesman saw filer in a Bend, Oregon sawmill. I had noticed some other saw filers working on knives during their breaks using the narrow tang design.
MY FIRST KNIFE WAS 100% HANDMADE, AS THEY STILL ARE TODAY!
In 1985 I participated in my first knife show at the Oregon Knife Collectors Association (OKCA) in Eugene, Oregon. Also, in 1985 I took some of my knives with Hawaiian Koa handles with me on a vacation to Hawaii. That proved to be a great market for many years with my knives selling on Kauai, Maui and the Big Island.
I moved from central Oregon to California in 1988 to a higher paying sawmill job and a warmer climate, then began to participate in California knife shows.
In 1990 I initiated my membership into the Knifemakers Guild. After five years, even though the Guild is a very prestigious and wonderful organization, I made the tough decision to end my membership since it just wasn't being cost effective for me.
Who Is Al Warren?
Born in McMinnville, OR
Played football and was on the wrestling team for 4 years at Willamette High School in Eugene, Oregon.
Graduated from Willamette High School in 1961.
As a freshman, was on the Oregon State University wrestling team of 1962-63.
Was in the Army from 1964 to 1967. Took care of avionics at Davidson U.S. Army Airfield, Ft Belvoir, VA. The last 5 months my duty station was at the Pentagon Heliport, taking care of the electronics.
Went to LCCC, Eugene, for a 2 year degree in Electronic Engineering.
Enjoyed rock climbing, bouldering and mountain climbing in the Eugene area and the Cascade Mts.
Ski patrolled on the Santiam Pass Ski Patrol at Hoodoo Ski Bowl for 8 years. Wore orange helmet with "THE CAT" on it.
Moved to Bend, OR in 1971
In 1972 invented and developed a single ski called the Snow Snake.
Taught First Aid for the Red Cross in Eugene and Bend, OR.
Moved to Porterville, CA in 1988
Moved to Roseville, CA in 1993
PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT
Nielsen Saw & Manufacturing Co. (Bell Corp.) in Eugene, OR
Carbcut Saw Shop in Eugene, OR
Ted Meagher Saw Service in Bend, OR
Brooks Scanlon Sawmill in Bend, OR (became Diamond Intenational, then DAW Forest Products)
Sequoia Forest Products sawmill, Terra Bella, CA
Rapistan Demag (installing conveyor systems)
Sierra Pacific Industries sawmill, Lincoln, CA (Sacramento area)
I retired in Aug 2009 from working on saws in sawmills and now at 80 years old am close to being a retired knifemaker.
My wife Lynda and I have been married for 41 years.
The most asked question is, “How long does it take to make a knife?”
That all depends on a lot of factors… The type of knife, it’s design and size, materials used, skill of the maker, type of tools and equipment available for use, etc. I’ve found at times when I’m working on a couple very similar folding knives that the “fitting in” of t
The most asked question is, “How long does it take to make a knife?”
That all depends on a lot of factors… The type of knife, it’s design and size, materials used, skill of the maker, type of tools and equipment available for use, etc. I’ve found at times when I’m working on a couple very similar folding knives that the “fitting in” of the internal parts can take much longer on one than the other.
With all that said, folders, depending on the size and type can take from 8 to 16 hours and a fixed blade knife (including making the sheath) can take as few as 6 hours and a large bowie or camp knife 10 to 15 hours.
It’s also hard to be exact in time since I’m never just working on one knife at time from start to finish.
Let me tell you why I use almost exclusively CPM S30V blade steel.
When it was first available to me in 2004, I asked a company representative how hard it should be tempered to. He said 61 Rc. However, when that hard I had a problem with about 1/16” of the blade tip breaking off. So, I went with 60 Rc and that seemed to fix the tip break
Let me tell you why I use almost exclusively CPM S30V blade steel.
When it was first available to me in 2004, I asked a company representative how hard it should be tempered to. He said 61 Rc. However, when that hard I had a problem with about 1/16” of the blade tip breaking off. So, I went with 60 Rc and that seemed to fix the tip breakage.
But then I got to thinking that since the vanadium turned into vanadium carbide during the tempering process and made it hold the edge, why make the steel so hard?
In 2005 I made up some test strips of ATS-34 and S30V, sending them off to Paul Bos Heat Treating to make them the exact hardness I wanted.
When I got them back I sharpened them all the same and began cutting ½” diameter rope.
The ATS-34 at 60 Rc hardness made 75 slicing cuts before it wouldn’t cut all the way through.
The S30V also at 60 Rc hardness made 155 slicing cuts and so did the one that was hardened to 58 Rc.
That told me edge holding wasn’t dependent on the hardness of the steel, but because of the vanadium carbide.
Then I put each one in a bench vise with a protractor behind and proceeded to bend them until they broke.
The ATS-34 snapped at 45 degrees.
The S30V that was also 60 Rc snapped at 42 degrees.
The softer S30V at 58 Rc snapped at 75 degrees.
That proved to me that S30V with a hardness of 58 Rc has superior edge holding and greater strength compared to most other blade steels.
If you purchase one of my knives, I will inlay your elk ivories for free.
PROCESS
1. Purchase knife
2. Notify me by phone, text or email that you are sending your elk ivories to inlay.
3. Ship the teeth to:
Al Warren
1423 Santa Fe Circle
Roseville, CA 95678
Phone/Text : 916-257-5904
Email: al@warrenknives.com
1423 Santa Fe Circle, Roseville, California 95678, United States
Phone/Text 916-257-5704 al@warrenknives.com
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
Closed Major Holidays
We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.
Mon | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Tue | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Wed | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Thu | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Fri | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |
WHAT DOES THIS SYMBOL REPRESENT?
Centuries ago because of great persecution, one person would draw an arc, another would then finish with the other arc completing a "fish". This was a form of identifying with each other. By taking the first letters of the Greek words, "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior", it spells the Greek word "fish". These two people were identifying themselves to each other as being Christians.
SO, WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?
A Christian is anyone who trusts that God sent His son Jesus to live among us, living a sinless life, suffered and died for OUR sins (not His, He was sinless) and then as seen by more than 500 people, rose from the grave and ascended into Heaven to eternal life.
A SINNER? I'M NOT THAT BAD.
From a human perspective you may be living a good and moral life, but from God's position of perfect, absolute holiness, even one seemingly small offense is sin, even the thought of doing something wrong is sin.
NO ONE IS PERFECT
Even if you could live a perfect life according to the Ten Commandments, there is no commandment given by which you can gain eternal life. Acts of religious devotion do not gain for you access into God's eternal presence. Keeping commandments, rules and regulations produces religion, not a love relationship. Trying to keep the law just proves that no one can be perfect. Law keeping does not develop love, it produces guilt when one can't be perfect.
GOD WANTS A LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU!
When Jesus Christ took on a human body, lived and identified with us, then died for us... that proved His love for us. God in heaven sent His only son Jesus Christ to die for you because He wants to have a love relationship with you! You are so important to Him that He paid a terrible price... He sent His only son to die for you! All you have to do is accept the payment Jesus made for the sins you have committed.
Christianity is a love relationship. Like in marriage, when there are two who love each other there is not a list of rules, regulations and commandments that you follow. You naturally want to do what is pleasing to the one you love and not to do things that offend them. And so it is with Christians. Because of love for the One who loves them, they keep the commandments and laws because they naturally want to, not because they have to.
FORGIVENESS AND ACCEPTANCE BY GOD
Are you in need of forgiveness? Just admit your sins to God and ask for His forgiveness, trusting that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin on your behalf and arose from the grave to eternal life. By doing this, Jesus allows you to be set free from guilt, to be righteous, cleansed from sin, acceptable to God!
A GIFT, IT IS FREE!
God saves you from the penalty of your sins... it is a free gift. All you have to do is accept it. The Bible says, "By grace you are saved". Grace means unearned, unmerited favor. You can't keep commandments to earn it or be a very good person to gain it, it is a gift to you for believing and trusting Him.
NO PEACE, NO PURPOSE, NO CONTROL?
When life seems out of control despite your best efforts, ask Jesus to take control. That means you must let go and trust Him... not always easy, but worth it! If you allow Him to, He will take your chaos and give you peace, purpose and direction.
Even if you are wealthy, you can experience emptiness. Busyness, buying things, other people-- none will be able to fill the void. Your emptiness is called "a God shaped vacuum" and can be filled with Jesus, the Prince of Peace and Lord of Lords, the Good Shepherd.
WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES SAY?
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
"If you confess your sins He will forgive you and cleanse you from all the wrongs you have done."
1 John 1:9
"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death."
Romans 8:1,2
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
John 3:16
"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved."
Romans 10:9
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast."
Ephesians 2:8,9
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and specific requests, let God know through a thankful heart what your needs are. And the peace of God, which one would not normally have in this situation, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6,7
Why not get a BIBLE and read the book of JOHN to find out more about the One who loves you so much?
ENGLISH VERSION: ONLINE BIBLE
OTHER LANGUAGES: THE BIBLE IN 250 LANGUAGES
Questions or comments? You are encouraged to send them!
Al Warren Custom Knives
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