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First, a huge THANK YOU to all who helped make this Blade Show such a success for us. Richard came away inspired, enthused, humbled, and grateful. He may not have visions of sugarplums dancing in his head but rather new tweaks, designs, and ideas. It's always great visiting with good friends we usually only see once a year. Both of us are notoriously bad about remembering to take pictures. We suffer from camnesia - we either forget to take a camera or forget to use it when we do have one! All this to say we only came away with two photos from the entire show: [caption id="attachment_321" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Meet the Press![/caption] and [caption id="attachment_322" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Visiting with Clayton[/caption] The 4F Giveaway was a lot of fun. We got some interesting comments and looks when we said it was free, no strings attached. Guess people just aren't used to getting something for nothing. The winner was Sean from New Orleans. He had already left the show when we drew his number but he sounded excited to have won. And no, Richard did not think it was a good idea for me to deliver it in person so USPS did the honors. I told him I'd think of him while eating my beignets, but he didn't go for it - darn, maybe next time. [caption id="attachment_330" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The 4F for Giveaway[/caption] As soon as we got home we hit the ground running. Wednesday was our son's 21st birthday and he chose to do branding as a way to celebrate. It's true, The Boy ain't right! [caption id="attachment_323" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Branding[/caption][caption id="attachment_324" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Boy in the chute, Richard on the right[/caption] On Friday my guys surprised me by finally starting the long-awaited wood floor project in our living room/dining room. You know how they tell you to acclimate the boxes for at least two weeks before laying, well, we won't discuss exactly how much longer than those said two weeks those boxes sat in our house. But the end is near, we are 2/3rds of the way done and tomorrow I'll be slip sliding my way across. And none to soon either as my Dyson decided to bite the dust on Friday evening. [caption id="attachment_325" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Tangent in action![/caption] [caption id="attachment_326" align="aligncenter" width="300"] It's a snap-- and Richard's knees are snap. crackle, and pop![/caption] [caption id="attachment_327" align="aligncenter" width="168"] The Man isn't known for his fit and finish for nothing! [/caption] Because of all this non-knife related work that is going on around here we haven't figured out a timeline for opening the books on any of the models yet. As soon as we come up with a plan we will let you all know. Thanks again for your interest and enthusiasm. It means a lot to us.

Well, tomorrow morning will see us flying off to Atlanta. If you're going to be at the Blade Show please stop by to see us. We are at

TABLE 4-G

Here's a little something something: [caption id="attachment_308" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Introducing the 4F
(Form Follows Function Flipper)
[/caption]

Sorry for the long time between posts. I was on a 21-day trip and Richard was toiling away getting ready for Blade. And oh, yeah, doing some ranch work . Gearing up for Atlanta is always a lot of work. We are looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones. This year will be strange for us as we had to miss last year and our usual table was given to someone else. We will miss visiting with our old neighbors Tony Bose, Dan Burke, Van and Dellana, and Greg Lightfoot. Hope our new location is just as friendly. We will be at TABLE 4-G. Please come keep us company, introduce yourselves, and hopefully, buy a knife! Here's a sneak peak at some of what will be available: [caption id="attachment_299" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Tangent with stepped bolsters[/caption] [caption id="attachment_300" align="alignleft" width="256"] Sharpy Shorties[/caption] [caption id="attachment_301" align="alignright" width="276"] Sharpy Standard[/caption] [caption id="attachment_302" align="aligncenter" width="300"] ARC[/caption] We will be having a GIVEAWAY, so stop by to sign up for a chance to win a knife!

Two weeks ago was the one year anniversary of Richard starting this CAD/CAM odyssey of making knives. Up until that time he had been a traditional stock-removal, all hand made slip-joint maker. But as times and markets changed he started realizing he needed to make a change too. Anyone who knows Richard knows he is not a spur-of-the-moment, jump on the bandwagon kinda guy. He thought about it, discussed it with friends and family, thought some more, and researched this new direction to an nth of it's life (and yes, during it all kinda drove me glassy-eyed crazy! But don't tell him.). He figured he'd buy a CAD program, study it, work with it for a year or two to get familiar with the program and designing. Then he'd look into buying a used CNC machine after a few years. Well, like they say, the best laid plans! [caption id="attachment_280" align="alignleft" width="300"] The CAD manual[/caption] Instead he bought a program, Rhino, and a laptop to run it. Took a 2 or 3 day class in Albuquerque, then hit the ground running. [caption id="attachment_281" align="alignleft" width="300"] Huh?[/caption] He worked with it and his design ideas for a couple months. He was able to ask Luc (Burnley) and Pat Pruitt questions as he went along as they both have the program and luckily, live in the state. Friends are a very good thing. Then, he decided he needed to purchase a machine to implement his ideas, sooner rather than later. Luckily, he found a very nice, well-maintained HAAS for a decent price. So, in mid-December along came... [caption id="attachment_282" align="alignleft" width="300"] Like Christmas morning for the boy[/caption] The Minion. [caption id="attachment_283" align="alignleft" width="300"] Wait a minute, do I really wanna do this?![/caption] Delivery went  smoothly and it seemed to fit perfectly in his shop. Life was busy with ranch and other stuff so it sat idle until sometime in February when Pat Pruitt came to show Richard the ropes. Pat has been an engineering machinist jeweler for years and knows the software program as well as the HAAS machines. He came over for an intensive 2 1/2 day lesson in how the machine works. Since then Richard has been on his own and producing parts of his own design. Talk about a rush - of both fear and excitement. Sure, The Minion cuts out the parts precisely and repetitively, but a lot of work, both mental and manual, goes into getting it that far. [caption id="attachment_285" align="alignleft" width="300"] Green light - good[/caption] And to get this many parts after only a few hours rather than days is priceless. [caption id="attachment_286" align="alignleft" width="300"] Waiting to be made into knives.[/caption] It's been quite a year.

ALL GONE! THANK YOU! Here are four Arc Minimalist knives. They feature CPM-154 as the blade steel, titanium frame, and three with carbon fiber scales. The full ti version weighs 1.5 ounces and the carbon fiber/ti come in at 1.2 oz. Opened length is 6.5 inches, closed 3.75 inches. The prices vary from $425 to $475, the Green Anodized Full Ti is $475; the Carbon Fiber/Ti with anodized blue clip is $425 as is the Carbon Fiber/Ti with anodized green clip; the Carbon Fiber/Ti with anodized blue back frame is $450. These will be available for sale today starting at 3:00 PM Mountain Time, which is 2:00 PST, 4:00 CST, 5:00 EST. Emails to purchase must be received at r.s.rogersknives@gmail.com. If your first choice is taken you may list another, if it applies. [caption id="attachment_266" align="alignleft" width="300"] Pin -stripe polished edge inside liner doesn't show up clearly.[/caption] New Policy: Unfortunately, we have to now require that shipping be charged as well as the 3% fee if using PayPal. We resisted adding them as long as we could but our business is taking too big of a hit. We are sorry. Shipping will be $5.00 if using USPS Priority Mail, if another carrier then we will email you. The PayPal fees will be added to the cost of the knife at 3%.

Regardless of age, most males get excited by gadgets and machinery.  It seems to be a universal truth. Case in point,  recently we had two overnight guests who basically came for a play-date with Richard. (Actually, they were on their way to a show in Phoenix. Along the way Luc may or may not have gotten a speeding  ticket, unless his feminine wiles won out.) [caption id="attachment_247" align="alignleft" width="300"] Jens Anso & Luc Burnley[/caption] The three of them had a fine time roaming around the shop and playing with knives and equipment. Lots of ideas and inspiration were exchanged just by seeing how devices and tools are set up. [caption id="attachment_248" align="alignleft" width="300"] Luc just finished whacking and is checking the lock[/caption] One of the biggest hits was the little LED clip light from IKEA. [caption id="attachment_250" align="alignleft" width="300"] Playing with the toys[/caption] [caption id="attachment_251" align="alignleft" width="300"] Discussing specifics[/caption] [caption id="attachment_252" align="alignleft" width="300"] Jens at the microscope & Luc trying not to look confuzzled[/caption] And bonus points to Richard as his knives were declared 'clever', 'outstanding', and 'better than good'. It means a lot to hear validation from those who are tops in their field and understand what it takes to make the knives. And as boys are wont to do when they get together, they stayed up much too late talking and laughing. I think it's safe to say a good time was had by all. And they are both welcome to come back to play anytime.

[caption id="attachment_229" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Minion - Richard's baby[/caption] It isn't all about knives at this time of year. It's our calving season and ranch work takes precedence. Richard tries to keep The Minion busy while he is out in the pastures. Multi-tasking is a new concept for the man with a one-track mentality. [caption id="attachment_230" align="alignnone" width="300"] Click on image to enlarge[/caption]

This little guy is truly unique. Over the years we've had many different markings and colors but never such a "Blockhead".

This heifer needed a 'midwife' to finish the job. Richard gets that role as he is stronger and I prefer he get goopy rather than I.

And he gets the stinky job of branding the 2 new little bulls. Windy days and jumpy livestock do not make for pretty brands.

[caption id="attachment_233" align="alignleft" width="300"] Brand is as close as we could get to Richard's signature Skull & Crossbones.[/caption]

Thank you all! The books are now closed. We really appreciate your enthusiasm. Hope you all are excited! (we sure are!) There are 10 spots available, so first ten will get notification by email as soon as possible. We will have two back-ups or alternates. Once you are notified you can make your decision on your knife details. The first batch of 5 knives will go out in about a month. The second batch in about 2. We will notify you as your knife gets close to completion to give you fair warning. Any other information needed can be emailed to us. Details on the Sharpy can be seen in the post below. Remember, only emails sent to: r.s.rogersknives@gmail.com will count. Thanks and good luck.

The books will be opening for 10 Sharpys on Monday, February 24, starting at 12:00 noon Eastern, 11:00 Central, 10:00 Mountain, and 9:00 Pacific. Only emails sent to r.s.rogersknives@gmail.com will be counted. Please note that the email address includes periods between the first two initials.  The first 5 will be ready in about one month, the second 5 in two months. No deposits are required and the price includes shipping in the US. [caption id="attachment_210" align="alignleft" width="300"] Anodized, Anodized bright-cut, mirror polish[/caption] [caption id="attachment_211" align="alignleft" width="300"] From top: Wharncliffe, Kwaiken, Clip[/caption] [caption id="attachment_212" align="alignleft" width="300"] Top two: rounded CF,
Bottom: Beveled CF[/caption] The Sharpy is the same size as a Sharpie marker. When worn in a shirt pocket it appears to be a pen not a knife. It is very lightweight at 1.7 oz or 47 grams. The closed length is 5.5 in/14.6 cms and a blade length of 3.6 in/9 cms. The steel is CPM-154. Base Model is $450, which includes G-10 scales, titanium liners, machined titanium clip and endcap, tumbled finish, and anodizing in color of choice, if wanted. It also includes your choice of 3 blade shapes - the wharncliffe, kwaiken, or the clip. Options, at this time, are carbon fiber for an additional $25 or lightning-strike carbon fiber for $50.

Wow, guys, that was really fast. The books are now closed. Those that got a spot have been notified by email. Thank you all so much. Your enthusiasm is very much appreciated. The books will be opening on the Tangent at noon today, Friday, Feb. 7, with 10 spots available. This is 12:00 MST, or 11:00PST, 1:00CST, and 2:00 EST. Only emails sent to r.s.rogersknives@gmail.com will be counted. Please note that the email address includes periods between the first two initials. No deposits are required and the price includes shipping in the US. [caption id="attachment_196" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Latest Tangents[/caption] The Base Model is $525 and includes CPM-154 blade steel, with a stonewashed finish, G-10 scales of your choice (if available), machined clip, and textured handles, if desired. At this time, we are keeping the Options simple, they are: Carbon Fiber scales -- add $50. Lightning-strike carbon fiber -- add $75. Anodizing - color of choice -- add $25. Jeweled liners -- add $25. Note: We have had a number of delivery failure notifications on both ends of messaging, so please make sure your/our email addresses are correct. Thank you.

Richard has been playing/working with his new toy after an intensive 2 1/2 day crash course. Though, we really should stay away from the word 'crash'. That is definitely something we hope he doesn't do. Anyway, a few days later he has come up with the following 2 Tangents: [caption id="attachment_180" align="alignleft" width="300"] Toxic Green/Black G-10[/caption] [caption id="attachment_183" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Side view with green anodizing.[/caption] The Toxic Green has a textured handle, brushed titanium liners, and a two-tone green and black titanium clip. The sandblasted black G-10 features blue anodized jeweled titanium liners, and a milled blue anodized titanium clip. The blade steel on both is CPM-154.[caption id="attachment_181" align="alignleft" width="300"] Black Sandblast G-10[/caption] [caption id="attachment_185" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Blue clip[/caption] [caption id="attachment_186" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Jeweled liners[/caption] We will be opening the books for 10 of the Tangents tomorrow. We will update with a post on available options and prices at that time. (And yes, we are painfully aware our photographic skills are nil. And I will be working on that.)

BOTH SOLD Finished a couple more Tangents. The anodizing process requires finessing of time and ingredients - a lot like making a good soup. The results might not be quite as delicious but the colors are always magical. The two below are available for sale. [caption id="attachment_164" align="alignnone" width="300"] Top - blue with brightcut texture.
Bottom - Aqua[/caption] [caption id="attachment_166" align="alignnone" width="300"] Colors are hard to capture accurately.[/caption] The knives feature CPM-154 for the blade material, titanium liners and clip, and carbon fiber scales. SOLD