DJ,
I really enjoy looking at your knives.
I noticed on your website that your fixed blade knives are 1095 steel and are differentially heat treated.
What are the benefits of 1095? (I ask because it seems others are using some sort of stainless. I could be wrong about what's the popular steel for custom makers. Please correct me if I am.)
Have you found the differential heat treatment adds to the strength/toughness of the knife? That would seem like one of the real positives of a custom knife over a mass-produced blade.
Finally, do the folders have a patina, or is that the lighting making them look darker? Either way, they are gorgeous.
http://americankami.com/SHTFmain.jpg
http://americankami.com/shffmain.JPG
Thanks for posting here.
(Tried to embed the photos. Looks like it didn't work.)