Custom wa handle - Portfolio & WIP - V2.0

[KasumiJLA]

My work has evolved greatly since the creation of my first thread about my customized handles. So I decided to update my portfolio to give a breath of fresh air!

I am now much more equipped and I have a nice selection of wood and various materials such as brass, nickel, synthetic opal, carbon fiber etc. In addition, I'm starting to have fun texturing the brass to give more personality and above all to let my creative side come out.

So here is a little summary of my work that I have selected and the new pieces will arrive over time from my orders. Thank you for taking an interest in my work by clicking here, it’s really appreciated!

 

[Tekkz]

Amazing work, Julien. Love seeing all your work and I can't thank you enough for all you've taught me.

 

[OwlWoodworks]

Wow, these are beyond spectacular. Handle making is an art I'd love to learn, I'll be following this thread intently.

 

[KasumiJLA]

Amazing work, Julien. Love seeing all your work and I can't thank you enough for all you've taught me.

It’s always a pleasure to help you and discuss our projects

Wow, these are beyond spectacular. Handle making is an art I'd love to learn, I'll be following this thread intently.

Thank you very much that's nice of you!

 

[KasumiJLA]

An order for a simple and classic handle made from pheasant wood with a brass spacer. It's elegant! I love the little blond spot and the veins of this wood.

 

[KasumiJLA]

A big weekend of handle production for me and I finish with these two Birgersson knives. Both blades are now dressed in teak burl with textured brass end cap. This wood has so much detail, it's truly a magnificent species. I hope you love your two new pairs of pants man!

 

[ethompson]

Just keep getting better and better - love that you’re adding so many techniques and styles to your repertoire

 

[KasumiJLA]

Just keep getting better and better - love that you’re adding so many techniques and styles to your repertoire

Merci Ed! I'm also happy to be able to improve with each handle I make. It's so nice to learn other techniques and progress. It’s endless, like the jnats

 

[Heckel7302]

I showed my Birgersson. It’s jealous, feeling all plain with its stock Bog Oak handle.

Beautiful work, as always.

 

[KasumiJLA]

I showed my Birgersson. It’s jealous, feeling all plain with its stock Bog Oak handle.

Beautiful work, as always.

Haha this one made me laugh. Thanks man, it's really appreciated

 

[KasumiJLA]

A slightly more special order for this handle and this time with a fossilized mammoth molar. I was really looking forward to trying this material and to be 100% honest, it will be the last time. It is extremely crumbly and hard to work with. I had to start again 4 times to get a 4mm ring. It is worked in the same way as stone, or very close to it.

But after an hour and a half of cutting and drilling, I am very happy with the result! The two separators are in faux ivory on an African black wood handle.

 

[KasumiJLA]

A new handle for a custom knife from @MSicardCutlery ! The customer chose the teak burl with a small ebony ferrule and a 0.3mm brass separator. I really love this design!

By the way, if you order a custom knife from Matt, I'm offering 10% off if you decide to have me make the handle! Less workload for him and more for me, win-win

 

[MSicardCutlery]

You nailed it again! Excellent work!

 

[KasumiJLA]

You nailed it again! Excellent work!

Thanks buddy! Very nice work from you too, this blade looks gorgeous

 

[jaydee]

A new handle for a custom knife

That knife looks a 1000$ without any blink or fancy.
It oozes beauty and luxury in a very subtle and elegant way.
Your handle work is just so good. Never seen anything alike.
And your cooperation brings a smile on my face. Keep at it!

 

[mc2442]

I already have a couple from Matt, and if I get any more I will definitely be sending it your way Julien.

I cannot wait to see my BB pair in person!

 

[mc2442]

I showed my Birgersson. It’s jealous, feeling all plain with its stock Bog Oak handle.

Beautiful work, as always.

I almost did not choose to get this pair rehandled as I like the stock ones. I wanted to see how the teak burl would look and I choose this pair because I know I would keep them. My other choices will probably end up on BST eventually. I know some people are fine with ho handles, but I am an admitted handle whore.....not at the cost of a quality blade of course. A good knife should have nice pants.

 

[KasumiJLA]

That knife looks a 1000$ without any blink or fancy.
It oozes beauty and luxury in a very subtle and elegant way.
Your handle work is just so good. Never seen anything alike.
And your cooperation brings a smile on my face. Keep at it!

Thank you so much, it's really nice of you! I try to create with subtlety even if sometimes I launch into more daring materials. But that’s part of the fun of pushing your limits

I already have a couple from Matt, and if I get any more I will definitely be sending it your way Julien.

I cannot wait to see my BB pair in person!

Thanks Matt! I can't wait for you to receive your two knives. It will make me more than happy to be able to put a nice pair of pants on your next Sicard knife

 

[KasumiJLA]

An order for three handles is completed and here is the result on a 270mm gyuto from Yannick. The client had very specific measurements and materials to redo this one, it was necessary to keep the same proportions as the original handle. The base is walnut and the ring is faux ivory. Thank you for choosing my friend and I hope you like it!

 

[KasumiJLA]

This is a work in progress to redo a handle on a cleaver. I've never experimented with this type of knife before so I'm really having fun! It's gonna be an octogonal 105mm walnut base with this 10mm brass end cap.

I'm really going all out with a heirloom fit and especially geometric textured facets. I really love taking my time and creating something even more unique. I can't wait to show you the final result... which should be tomorrow if all goes well!

 

[SwampDonkey]

A new handle for a custom knife from @MSicardCutlery ! The customer chose the teak burl with a small ebony ferrule and a 0.3mm brass separator. I really love this design!

By the way, if you order a custom knife from Matt, I'm offering 10% off if you decide to have me make the handle! Less workload for him and more for me, win-win

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I really like the short ferrule on this. The woodgasm beauty of a mono but still has that nice little pop of contrast.

 

[KasumiJLA]

I really like the short ferrule on this. The woodgasm beauty of a mono but still has that nice little pop of contrast.

I can't sum it up better than that! When I have creative freedom for a handle, I love making a 15mm ferrule. I find it aesthetic and it’s starting to be the artistic direction I take for my creations. The next handle I'm going to make for a customer will be quite interesting with copper.

Thanks for you kind comment!

 

[antlerman]

A slightly more special order for this handle and this time with a fossilized mammoth molar. I was really looking forward to trying this material and to be 100% honest, it will be the last time. It is extremely crumbly and hard to work with. I had to start again 4 times to get a 4mm ring. It is worked in the same way as stone, or very close to it.

But after an hour and a half of cutting and drilling, I am very happy with the result! The two separators are in faux ivory on an African black wood handle.

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That's a stunning handle, how much did it cost to make/buy?

 

[AT5760]

I keep coming back to those handles with the brass cap/ferrule. Simple and really beautiful. What is the comfort like? I know it varies per person, but if the customer is a KKF member and wants to share some thoughts, I'd appreciate it.

 

[KasumiJLA]

That's a stunning handle, how much did it cost to make/buy?

I sold this one at my store and the price with the custom handle was 500$CAD. I was able to only buy the blade for this Hatsukokoro Yorokobi, which is always nice for handle maker like me.

 

[KasumiJLA]

I keep coming back to those handles with the brass cap/ferrule. Simple and really beautiful. What is the comfort like? I know it varies per person, but if the customer is a KKF member and wants to share some thoughts, I'd appreciate it.

I really like the brass/copper material but unfortunately without a heirloom fit, a little gap will appear with time. For me it really doesn't bother me but I know that some people hate feeling it.

I try to make more heirloom end cap with metal precisely to avoid this kind of problem. But doing a heirloom fit is not super easy and I practice every week to develop my technique!

 

[KasumiJLA]

My first handle for a cleaver is now finished! I'm really happy with the result for a real first try with a heirloom fit, especially on a 10mm brass ferrule.

I kept almost the same proportions as the original handle and this one weighs a magnificent 74g. The detail in the brass isn't perfect but it's still pretty clean. I spent a lot (too much) time engraving this one. But at the end I think it was worth it! This is something I want to do more in the future.

So for fun, here is a before and after with the same angle on each photo to appreciate how much a handle changes the look. Yes I know, the price of the handle is worth 3 times the price of the knife

 

[dragjp]

Yes I know, the price of the handle is worth 3 times the price of the knife

I was gonna say this factory made steel probably doesn't deserve the wood work here
Good job!

 

[KasumiJLA]

I was gonna say this factory made steel probably doesn't deserve the wood work here
Good job!

Yup, I know! I ordered this cleaver to practice making this type of handle. I was also curious to use one. After sharpening it and preparing a meal with it, I quickly realized that I was bored of my gyuto

 

[KasumiJLA]

And a little guided tour to finish with this handle. Oh and I forgot thank you @ethompson for leaving me this little piece of wood left to make this handle. I'll always have a little bit of Ed with me