About L D Knives :
My name is Lyle Schow, I make Custom Handmade Knives. I've always enjoyed a good knife and decided a few years ago to start making my own. This quickly grew into a passion from a hobby and I've enjoyed it every since. Every knife is handmade using no kits or pre-ground parts. All finish work is done by hand using the age old elbow grease method, hand sanding from 150 grit to 2000 grit to remove any scratches and then buffed to a high polish. Mirror polish blades are done the same way. I currently do forging and stock removal methods. The steels I use are carbon steels such as 01, 5160, 1095, 1080 and 1084 for forging, 1095, 1080, 1084, and 15n20, for Damascus.
My main goal is to get the customer involved in the knife, and find out what they want. Also to make it for their hand not mine. I've made a promo knife for The American OutdoorsmanT.V. show, and have become the Official Knife Maker for that show. I've also made a proto-type for Xikar, I am also a member of the ABS, ( American Bladesmith Society ) and have also donated for charity auctions and drawings. To be able to create something that is, hopefully beautiful, and functional at the same time is very rewarding to me, and to see others get enjoyment from that creation is a wonderful thing to me.
I've been very blessed in my pursuit, my wife Donna, the other half of this adventure, who helps me make some of the sheaths. She also allots me the time to do this without complaint, and stands by me and works beside me. I have to also give all the credit to God for everything that has come about in the last few years. Thru Him anything is possible.
I couldn't ask for any better help either, the gentleman teaching me the ins and outs ( and having great patience with me ), of forging and making Damascus, Bill Miller of W.M. Knives, Jason Burton of Outlaw Forge, and also Jim Krause of Krause Knives for showing, and telling how easy it is to make a folding knife, and not laughing at me when I prove that it's not.
I have several other interests as well. I have been a member of Bix Academy of Hapkido, martial arts school for over 16 years and am a 5th Dan Instructor. I also play and teach guitar and enjoy that very much. I'm big into the outdoors, camping, hiking, etc. I love camping in the mountains and just enjoy the peace. I also enjoy Flintknapping as a hobby. I know, making knives, flintknapping, and playing guitar?, but these are things I enjoy to do, so I'm careful. Thank you for looking at our website, I hope you enjoyed. Come back often for updates and news.
My main goal is to get the customer involved in the knife, and find out what they want. Also to make it for their hand not mine. I've made a promo knife for The American OutdoorsmanT.V. show, and have become the Official Knife Maker for that show. I've also made a proto-type for Xikar, I am also a member of the ABS, ( American Bladesmith Society ) and have also donated for charity auctions and drawings. To be able to create something that is, hopefully beautiful, and functional at the same time is very rewarding to me, and to see others get enjoyment from that creation is a wonderful thing to me.
I've been very blessed in my pursuit, my wife Donna, the other half of this adventure, who helps me make some of the sheaths. She also allots me the time to do this without complaint, and stands by me and works beside me. I have to also give all the credit to God for everything that has come about in the last few years. Thru Him anything is possible.
I couldn't ask for any better help either, the gentleman teaching me the ins and outs ( and having great patience with me ), of forging and making Damascus, Bill Miller of W.M. Knives, Jason Burton of Outlaw Forge, and also Jim Krause of Krause Knives for showing, and telling how easy it is to make a folding knife, and not laughing at me when I prove that it's not.
I have several other interests as well. I have been a member of Bix Academy of Hapkido, martial arts school for over 16 years and am a 5th Dan Instructor. I also play and teach guitar and enjoy that very much. I'm big into the outdoors, camping, hiking, etc. I love camping in the mountains and just enjoy the peace. I also enjoy Flintknapping as a hobby. I know, making knives, flintknapping, and playing guitar?, but these are things I enjoy to do, so I'm careful. Thank you for looking at our website, I hope you enjoyed. Come back often for updates and news.