ABOUT THE MAKER C. J. "Chet" Deubel has been making knives for many years, and has been a full time maker since 2003. His knives have won awards, and several have appeared in Blade Magazine and Knives Illustrated. He specializes in extensive and meticulous file work. Many of his knives bear a rattlesnake design on their spines. The inspiration for the design came after his wife found herself standing over a coiled and angry rattlesnake in their yard. Chet was filing a vine pattern on a knife when he heard her whistle for him. Like any cowboy, he came immediatly to her rescue. Later, when he went back to his filing, he came up with the design, which is now his trademark. A knife made by Chet Deubel will appreciate in value, and is a one of a kind piece. Every knife he makes is guaranteed to be free of any defects of material or workmanship.
He wishes to express his debt to fine people like Bob Purvis, R.W. Wilson, Bill Ruple, Ted Vance, Gene Brown, John Brown, John Moren, Dan Zvonek, and others who have given their time and energy to help him become a better knife maker. Special thanks to Hans Weinmueller, who is always ready with advice and suggestions. Chet now wishes to help others as he has been helped, and is seeking an apprentice in the Tucson area, who would like to learn to make knives in exchange for giving him a hand around the shop. If you're interested, or know someone who might be, please call or e-mail Chet.
When Chet starts making a knife, he draws the design on paper, and uses the paper template to guide his saw. He does drill and file work before heat treating the steel. Then it's off to the surface and belt grinders to for final shaping. After the blade is done he works on the liners, bolsters, and scales, if it's a folder. If it's a fixed blade, he makes the guard and then the scales. His loving wife handles quality control and inspection, before he takes it back to the shop for final touch-ups and wax. Although he's never short on new knife designs, Chet especially likes to make knives from customers' designs, turning their ideas into steel.
Chet is a sass cowboy shooter and his alias is "snake carver" on sassnet.com. Check it out for info on cowboy shooting. A cowboy at heart, Chet makes a lot of neck knives and bowies for cowboy shooters. |
