Scots have Sgian-dubhs and Dirks. Swedes have Mora knives. Finns have Puukos. All are modern descendants of the medieval whittle tang knife, the most common type of knife in Europe prior to the 15th century. Whittle tang knives have a long skinny tang that runs all the way through the handle and is peened over at the end. The handle itself is typically made of a single piece of wood, ivory, bone, or antler.

The whittle tang is a fairly quick, easy, and medieval way to hold a handle onto a knife.

We'll be making a practical*, small-bladed utility/eating knife, starting with a piece of automotive coil spring and a chunk of a tree.

We'll forge the tang, then the blade, file to shape and heat treat the blade. Then we'll install and finish the handle, and if time allows, we will make a leather sheath.

If you have wood (or antler, or bone) that you want to use as the handle, bringing it to the first meeting would be helpful.

*Please check any fantasies about making a "... THIS is a Knoife!" at the door. Our goal is to make a knife with a 3" blade.