In 2023, I was honored to be invited to participate in a unique project involving one of the most famous warships in American history: the Battleship Texas. As part of the USS Texas restoration effort in Galveston, Texas, a select group of approximately 150 makers received historic material removed from the ship during restoration. The finished pieces would be auctioned to help fund the continued preservation of the vessel and support its future as a museum ship.

The material I received included a section of blister plate—mild steel armor added to help protect the ship from torpedoes—along with pieces of historic deck wood and other artifacts from the restoration. Because the blister plate itself was not suitable for a knife edge, I incorporated layers of 1084 and 15N20 steel to create a Go Mai construction that preserved the historic steel while providing the performance expected from a functional blade.

Rather than create a single knife, I chose to build a matching chef's knife and paring knife set. By this point, I had begun refining the chef's knife profile that would become one of my signature styles, and this project provided the perfect opportunity to further develop those design ideas. Throughout the build, careful forging, grinding, hand sanding, and repeated test etching ensured that the historic ship steel remained visible while maintaining a strong cutting core.

While many makers chose to use reclaimed deck wood for their handles, I wanted this set to stand apart. Instead, I selected a beautiful piece of curly mango wood whose flowing figure reminded me of waves on the ocean—a subtle tribute to the ship's long service at sea. Paired with vulcanized paper and G-10 liners, the handles provided both visual contrast and a connection to the maritime inspiration behind the project.

The finished knives carried a remarkable combination of history and craftsmanship. Forged from material that once served aboard a battleship that saw action in both World War I and World War II, the set connected the past to the present in a tangible way. When the auction opened, the knives sold immediately for $2,000, with all proceeds supporting the continued restoration of the USS Texas. Beyond the craftsmanship involved, that outcome made this one of the most meaningful projects I have ever had the privilege to create.

Learn more about the Battleship Texas and the work around her restoration here: https://battleshiptexas.org/