Disclaimer notice: You should be responsible for knowing the laws in your area concerning my products. Many items like fossil ivory, wood, artifacts, and knives, have restrictions that vary by location. I cannot know all the rules in all the places and keep up with their changes. What I offer is legal where I am. You are responsible for knowing your local laws, not me, ok?
Raw Materials Info
I specialize in Alaska materials, sourcing most myself along interior Alaska rivers. I also buy or trade locally, primarily with Athabaskan Indians, to support my Native friends and their way of life. Occasionally, I acquire materials at the Tucson gem, mineral, and fossil shows. While I don’t venture into the wilds as much anymore and am not involved in the animal parts business, I still hand-select everything. I never buy sight unseen through the mail. Customers often say my materials share common traits: unique, well-priced, and rustic.
I sell more than materials—I sell a lifestyle and way of life. This isn’t just a slogan; it reflects my belief that everything I find or acquire should feel cool and exciting, even if it’s not flawless or #1 grade. The world isn’t perfect—neither am I, and neither are most materials. I don’t believe in waste, so I don’t discard half the material to present only the "best." Instead, I aim to find a use for it all. Personally, I use a lot of damaged or off-color materials, and I offer my products as close to their natural state as possible. My raw materials may not be sanded perfectly, squared precisely, or entirely uniform, but my prices reflect this. My shop time is $65 an hour—how much work do you want to pay for? The less I do, the cheaper the material. If you want additional work, let me know—I can double the price to suit your needs. Most items are one-of-a-kind, so if you’re not happy, you can return them for a refund.
I strive to offer unique, one-of-a-kind pieces you won’t find just anywhere. My niche appeals to those who appreciate my taste and energy. As a one-person business living remotely at the source, I not only sell materials but also work with them, giving me a deep understanding of customer needs. I’m happy to answer questions about usage and requirements. For more insights, check out my YouTube channel, where I share how-to videos and showcase the wild origins of my materials.
YouTube Page
I sell more than materials—I sell a lifestyle and way of life. This isn’t just a slogan; it reflects my belief that everything I find or acquire should feel cool and exciting, even if it’s not flawless or #1 grade. The world isn’t perfect—neither am I, and neither are most materials. I don’t believe in waste, so I don’t discard half the material to present only the "best." Instead, I aim to find a use for it all. Personally, I use a lot of damaged or off-color materials, and I offer my products as close to their natural state as possible. My raw materials may not be sanded perfectly, squared precisely, or entirely uniform, but my prices reflect this. My shop time is $65 an hour—how much work do you want to pay for? The less I do, the cheaper the material. If you want additional work, let me know—I can double the price to suit your needs. Most items are one-of-a-kind, so if you’re not happy, you can return them for a refund.
I strive to offer unique, one-of-a-kind pieces you won’t find just anywhere. My niche appeals to those who appreciate my taste and energy. As a one-person business living remotely at the source, I not only sell materials but also work with them, giving me a deep understanding of customer needs. I’m happy to answer questions about usage and requirements. For more insights, check out my YouTube channel, where I share how-to videos and showcase the wild origins of my materials.
YouTube Page
Information on Materials
Wood
Most of my wood comes from local sources while I’m out searching for firewood. I primarily use dead wood from log jams or trees killed by fire. My specialties include birch, alder, poplar, and diamond willow—species that are local to Alaska and rare elsewhere. Some wood is stabilized or dyed, as Alaska wood often isn’t hardwood and may be too soft to polish or use without treatment. Occasionally, I offer untreated wood for those who prefer it “as is.”
Knife makers are my biggest market, but I also sell to pen turners, jewelry box makers, and decoy carvers. I’ve built connections at the Tucson gem and fossil show and can access materials like ironwood, mesquite, or bog wood through trade. I work my wood with simple tools—a chainsaw, bandsaw, and 4-inch belt sander.
Seasoning the wood, especially burls, is a meticulous process. I cut thick slabs with a chainsaw, coat them in a homemade sealer (half Elmer’s glue, half water), and cure them in my shop for at least a year. After further drying, I stabilize them with cactus juice, sometimes adding dye or resin to fill gaps for artistic projects.
Stone
I source my stones from river sandbars, focusing on jade, agate, jasper, and conglomerates. I cut and polish everything myself, emphasizing natural shapes. Most stones are double-sided and reversible, ideal for wire wrapping or cast capping without a backing. My style leans rustic and natural, offering something unique.
Recently, I’ve expanded into faceted semi-precious stones like quartz, zircon, and opal, which I trade for high-end finished products, some valued over $2,000. I also collect interesting natural crystals that resonate with me. Customers value my handpicked stones for their distinct character and versatility in crafts or resale. My prices range from $1 to $5,000, including finished display pieces or raw materials.
Metals
I typically work with bronze and copper, sourced from unique materials like old Yukon River barge propellers and 1920s water pipes from Nenana. I also use sterling silver, white bronze, and occasionally gold from local prospectors.
For over 30 years, I practiced metal piercing with simple hand tools, but now I focus on casting, including lost-wax techniques. I cast items like guards, pommels, necklace clasps, and belt buckles, creating one-of-a-kind pieces. My methods are unconventional and often self-taught, including casting copper, which is notoriously difficult. My process is hands-on, involving a torch, plaster molds, and quenching in a bucket of water.
While I produce small batches, I prioritize unique, never-repeated art over mass production. My approach is primitive, keeping my techniques distinct and without competition.
Fossils
I specialize in fossils from Alaska rivers, primarily mammoth and bison from the last Ice Age (40,000–60,000 years old). Occasionally, I find camel, musk ox, or wolf fossils. All my finds are sourced from land with proper mineral rights.
I attend the Tucson fossil show annually, where I buy, sell, and trade. Some fossils, like dinosaur material, are acquired through trade since they aren’t found in Alaska. My materials often have provenance and a story, offering authenticity and the best prices without middlemen.
Most fossils are raw, meaning they may arrive wet, muddy, and unfinished. While I clean and dry them, I don’t perfect them—thickness may vary, and lines aren’t always straight. This approach saves you money since you’ll likely reshape them anyway.
Knife Blades
Each knife blade is hand-drawn and cut, ensuring no two are alike. I prefer 1085 high-carbon or D2 stainless steel, though I sometimes use old crosscut saws (L6 steel). All blades are hardened, double-tempered, and cryo-treated for durability.
I test every blade to a minimum standard of 250 strokes on a brass rod, far exceeding most factory blades like Buck or Gerber, which average 50. Each blade also withstands 20 pounds of torque and 20 degrees of flex.
Tucson Gem & Fossil Show
I’ve been a participant in the Tucson gem and fossil show for over 20 years. This event connects me with cut gemstones, amber, fossils, and other materials. If I don’t source something personally, I trade with local natives or friends. Every item I sell is hand-selected—never ordered sight unseen or acquired by mail.
Wood
Most of my wood comes from local sources while I’m out searching for firewood. I primarily use dead wood from log jams or trees killed by fire. My specialties include birch, alder, poplar, and diamond willow—species that are local to Alaska and rare elsewhere. Some wood is stabilized or dyed, as Alaska wood often isn’t hardwood and may be too soft to polish or use without treatment. Occasionally, I offer untreated wood for those who prefer it “as is.”
Knife makers are my biggest market, but I also sell to pen turners, jewelry box makers, and decoy carvers. I’ve built connections at the Tucson gem and fossil show and can access materials like ironwood, mesquite, or bog wood through trade. I work my wood with simple tools—a chainsaw, bandsaw, and 4-inch belt sander.
Seasoning the wood, especially burls, is a meticulous process. I cut thick slabs with a chainsaw, coat them in a homemade sealer (half Elmer’s glue, half water), and cure them in my shop for at least a year. After further drying, I stabilize them with cactus juice, sometimes adding dye or resin to fill gaps for artistic projects.
Stone
I source my stones from river sandbars, focusing on jade, agate, jasper, and conglomerates. I cut and polish everything myself, emphasizing natural shapes. Most stones are double-sided and reversible, ideal for wire wrapping or cast capping without a backing. My style leans rustic and natural, offering something unique.
Recently, I’ve expanded into faceted semi-precious stones like quartz, zircon, and opal, which I trade for high-end finished products, some valued over $2,000. I also collect interesting natural crystals that resonate with me. Customers value my handpicked stones for their distinct character and versatility in crafts or resale. My prices range from $1 to $5,000, including finished display pieces or raw materials.
Metals
I typically work with bronze and copper, sourced from unique materials like old Yukon River barge propellers and 1920s water pipes from Nenana. I also use sterling silver, white bronze, and occasionally gold from local prospectors.
For over 30 years, I practiced metal piercing with simple hand tools, but now I focus on casting, including lost-wax techniques. I cast items like guards, pommels, necklace clasps, and belt buckles, creating one-of-a-kind pieces. My methods are unconventional and often self-taught, including casting copper, which is notoriously difficult. My process is hands-on, involving a torch, plaster molds, and quenching in a bucket of water.
While I produce small batches, I prioritize unique, never-repeated art over mass production. My approach is primitive, keeping my techniques distinct and without competition.
Fossils
I specialize in fossils from Alaska rivers, primarily mammoth and bison from the last Ice Age (40,000–60,000 years old). Occasionally, I find camel, musk ox, or wolf fossils. All my finds are sourced from land with proper mineral rights.
I attend the Tucson fossil show annually, where I buy, sell, and trade. Some fossils, like dinosaur material, are acquired through trade since they aren’t found in Alaska. My materials often have provenance and a story, offering authenticity and the best prices without middlemen.
Most fossils are raw, meaning they may arrive wet, muddy, and unfinished. While I clean and dry them, I don’t perfect them—thickness may vary, and lines aren’t always straight. This approach saves you money since you’ll likely reshape them anyway.
Knife Blades
Each knife blade is hand-drawn and cut, ensuring no two are alike. I prefer 1085 high-carbon or D2 stainless steel, though I sometimes use old crosscut saws (L6 steel). All blades are hardened, double-tempered, and cryo-treated for durability.
I test every blade to a minimum standard of 250 strokes on a brass rod, far exceeding most factory blades like Buck or Gerber, which average 50. Each blade also withstands 20 pounds of torque and 20 degrees of flex.
Tucson Gem & Fossil Show
I’ve been a participant in the Tucson gem and fossil show for over 20 years. This event connects me with cut gemstones, amber, fossils, and other materials. If I don’t source something personally, I trade with local natives or friends. Every item I sell is hand-selected—never ordered sight unseen or acquired by mail.