| The art of knife and spear making dates back | | | | fire to liquefy the metals blacksmith's would poor |
| perhaps as much as 5 million years, Likely to be | | | | liquid bronze and copper into molds made of |
| one of the oldest hobbies or occupations known | | | | stone. This process enabled them to produce |
| to humans. A sharp piece of stone is believed to | | | | larger, more useful tools and weapons. The blades |
| be the first and most widely used tools on earth. | | | | were heated and hammered into shape and |
| Artists took pride in these spiritual and valuable | | | | sharpened. This replaced countless hours of |
| items. At first these sharp stones were used for | | | | chipping, filing, and sanding required by making |
| eating, cutting, poking, and prying. The stones | | | | them from stone or bone. These blades were |
| were also used to sharpen sticks or attached | | | | shortly replaced by the discovery of forged iron. |
| directly to the end of a wooden shaft. This widely | | | | This process produced an even more durable |
| used tool could be used for hunting, fishing, | | | | blade that could be used for thrusting or chopping. |
| attacking, and defending. | | | | Techniques such as spring tempering improved |
| This opened the door for more handy materials | | | | the tapering abilities for blades of all types. |
| for the custom knife makers. Hunters and | | | | Guttering or grooving of the blades was |
| fisherman began to harvest teeth, claws, bone, | | | | incorporated to lighten the tools or weapons |
| and horn for knife makers. I believe that the | | | | without sacrificing strength. |
| exotic blade and handle materials inspired the | | | | The tradition of knife and sword making has |
| desire to collect among all cultures of the world. | | | | always held a certain spiritual value across the |
| Even today, (Millions of years later) countless | | | | Middle America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. These |
| collectors continue to appreciate this fine art of | | | | fine tools have been a symbol of power, bravery, |
| craftsmanship. | | | | and art for millions of years. Being a collector |
| The discovery of metals, approximately 12,000 | | | | myself, I strongly believe this tradition will never |
| years ago, rapidly advanced the design and | | | | end. |
| durability of these edged tools and weapons. Using | | | | |