Saturday Night Blade Porn: OOAK Forge

“…our blades are a sculpture to be used.”

That's the philosophy of Harlan Whitman, the man behind OOAK Forge. He says he wants every piece he makes to be one of a kind, both in performance and aesthetics.

OOAK Forge is a Portland, OR based company with Missouri roots. They offer not just a selection of blades and multi-tools, but also slingshots and “slingbows” and even a Drift Trike/Gravity Bike combo (the latter comes via S.I.N. Cycles, a branch of OOAK Forge). This sort of selection makes it likely they'll have something to meet your needs (or least your wants). The name stems from the the acronym for One Of A Kind, which seems apropos.

No two pieces OOAK Forge are exactly alike. Whitman explains,

“I really enjoy every knife I make. Each one treated like a piece of art inspired greatly from nature offerings if texture and color. The needed precise processes get great care as well like cryogenic treatment for the blade and real Rockwell hardness testing.”

Here's a folder type you don't see every day.

Check out the Skully multi-tool. Sporting bottle opener and hex wrench, it doubles as a set of knuckle dusters. It's available in brass, copper, gold anodized aluminum and pewter anodized aluminum.

Here's a look at the OOAK “skull punch dagger: with built in bottle opener and hex wrench. Available in brass, copper and titanium.

This is the Sabi axe, built of O1 tool steel with Pernambuco handle scales and brass pins through the handle and head.

OOAK is described as the culmination of a lifelong creative itch. Whitman first stretched his creative wings at a young age, honing his welding skills while still a teenager, then gong on to obtain a Bachelors in Industrial Design from the Art Institute of Ft. Lauterdale. While in Florida he gathered a loyal client-base, designing everything from furniture and jewelry to toys and prosthetic limbs. An interest is weaponry and martial arts lead Harlan to study the ancient arts of steel knife and sword making.

This is the Crazy Eye Skinner. Ti's ATS-34, with G10 Jade scales and cooper brass resin pins.

This is one of Whitman's neckers; 590v stainless steel with 59RC hardness.

OOAK Forge produces several different types and looks of blades (though they're not limited to blades of course).

An avid outdoors-man and gravbike enthusiast, Whitman expanded OOAK Forge in 2010, adding the S.I.N. Cycle branch. Working alongside fellow bike enthusiast Ryan O'Brien, Harlan's S.I.N. Cycles builds custom Gravity Bike/Drift Trike combos. The duo have traveled the USA, breaking downhill records while hosting and supporting various downhill events across the country.

This is the SV1 “Penny” custom. Fully adjustable handlebars, S.I.N. Triple crown fork, Zin adjustable kneeler, and vinyl wrapped wheel covers.

Looking for something with a little range to it? Need to reach out and touch someone or something? OOAK builds slingshots and slingbows as well.

Pizza Slayer pizza cutter anyone? Apparently 3 generations of Whitman's family have been in the pizza business (Pagliai's Pizza). All materials used in the Pizza Slayer are American made. It's .375 in. aluminum with bamboo handle scales and a high carbon stainless blade that has been acid etched and ceramic tumbled.

If you want a quality, long lasting, American blade, then OOAK Forge should be one of the places you shop. Check them out on Facebook, follow them on IG (@ooakforge), or visit their website, www.harlanwhitman.com.

You can also see what he has on hand and in stock over on Etsy.

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