Making a knife the high-tech way - Resolute MkIII 

Check out my website for more info: goughcustom.com/ This video has been in the making for over a year! Over the last 4 years I have been working continuously to improve my process for making the Resolute MkIII and this video documents what it has evolved into! First the handle material (G10) is prepared, then the blades and handles are CNC machined, then the blade is hand-finished, heat-treated and DLC coated, then the blade and handles are carefully married together. After the knife is completed the kydex sheath is made using a combination of CNC machining and hand work. This process has taken over 4 years to develop and has required thousands of hours of experimentation and design work, I believe it makes the most of modern CNC machining and old-school hand finishing! Nevertheless I continue to evolve this process and improve my knives every day! Hope you guys enjoy the video! If you have any questions let me know in the comments! -Aaron High-res photos of the knife from this video: i.imgur.com/GLMCEyY.jpg i.imgur.com/gN45usR.jpg

As both an aerospace machinist and a traditional bladesmith, i can appreciate this process from multiple perspectives. Say what they may, but nobody can doubt that edge. They seem like quality knives.

I remember asking you a knife making question a long time ago and you were so kind and generous in your reply, I’m so happy to see where you are on your journey and the level of excellence you always reach for, cheers from down under!

> parts cut with CNC that costs tons of $ > heat treated and coated with contraptions that cost even more > assembled with $10 hammer

I can't imagine the amount of time and effort that went in to perfecting the set up on all this. Fantastic results.

Imagine my surprise to be the lucky owner of No 475 shown at 7:24. Now I know what it took to make the best knife I own and use. Thank you Aaron, both for the amazing knife and the video of the process. I only regret one thing ... why did I only order one.

Wife: can we have food to feed the children? Husband: No we bought a cnc router that automatically interchanges bits.

Aaron your process is as much a work of art as the beautiful knives you make - just sensational mate. Cannot believe that cutting edge!!

That CNC looks ancient... which makes it 10x cooler XD.

It's great seeing how far you've come from simply using files to make your knives. I highly respect your passion to create the best knife you're able to. Thanks for sharing, it was definitely fun to watch!

It clearly stated in the title 'High Tech Way', to those whom come for tradisional method, you're at the wrong video. Keep that in mind. And I enjoy both tradisional and modern. Nice work there.

DUDE! That's incredible. I utterly loved it when it turns out you used your own jig on a shop grinder with custom CBN wheels. And CBN wood strop is the best. I have long decided my dream sharpening supplies would be custom CBN, and that wood strops are the most precise. The level of precision from start to finish on these is outstanding.

Using some of the most advanced production techniques to produce one of the first tools mankind made. There is poetry in there somewhere...

That is not just a knife, it is a piece of art. Gorgeous work!

This is one of the clearest examples I've ever seen of technology combining with craftsmanship to create the perfect product. You, sir, are an incredible artist.

With you attention to detail and quality design i still consider this a handmade knife. I want one.

Love the sharpening process. Being an amateur but obsessive sharpener, I really respect the abrasive & substrate choices. Incredibly elegant solution for consistent edge integrity and temper preservation. Bravo.

I am thoroughly impressed with the amount of care given to each unit. Additionally, the balance of innovation and old school craftsmanship is finely tuned. Alex, you are creating next generation knives that one day will live on as works of art and craftsmanship. Not disposable razor style mass production. Outstanding !

When the RU-vid algorithm magic wand makes you sell all your stock of knives

You‘ve come a long way from the days of a filing jig, an ancient belt sander, the lansky and a plywood kydex press. It‘s a pleasure to see this.

Aaron, I remember the first video I saw of you crafting a knife by hand with simple tools and had to have one. A year and a half later it finally arrived at my house and have abused it, hammered with it, cut and chopped with it, sharpened it, but most of all cherished it as a one of a kind work of art from passion. As soon as you’re taking orders again I’ll be on the list as it’s well worth the wait! Fantastic what you’ve been able to do from a basement work area to what I see now...what a journey mate! Keep going. Thank you. Dr. JM

utterly blown away... what you're making is art on a whole other level. must....own!!

After few weeks of shopping and agonizing over who/what/where/why, I placed my order for Resolute MkIII DLC w orange liners today. This video was the clincher for me...now for the wait.

This is an insane amount of craftsmanship and organisation. And I don't go saying that very often I promise you.

i remember when you were making knives with firebrick furnaces and files :) Im so happy you get to do you passion for a living

When your overqualified for the job

This design is easily the most beautiful i've seen. So clean, elegant and reserved.

You’ve come a long long way from when I first subscribed to you, you have it down to a fine art, hard work always pays off, well done😃

I've watched this video at least 20 times. Amazing craftsmanship and production process. I salute you from a fellow manufacturing guy.

That CNC router looks like something from Doctor Who. Great job on restoring it and putting it to such good use! Watching that knife come together is a pleasure.

This must make some very high quality CONSISTENT knives. Great job!

Can't get much more precise than that. Knife making at the ultimate level

It’s a masterpiece. I’d love to own one someday.

some people have a gift .. you knives are art man

I just started making knives 2 months ago. This is just mind blowing compared to my grinding and filing.... You have a very expensive process, but the quality is well worth it. Simply amazing.

I’ve watched this video 10 times! Just impressive work! Love it!

Beautiful job describing the workflow.

As an X butcher here speaking. Sir you got that down to a fine art. I have to say that all the knifes I have used in my trade. I can tell a good knife just by looking at how it’s made. And to me I think you knifes are just about spot on for size and width. Not from a butcher prospective but as someone who has a keen interest in blades and workmanship. You nailed it.

Refined. Precise. Beautiful.

Beautiful! Nice process, too!

Without a doubt this was the most interesting piece of craftsmanship and artistic work on knife making. So clean and orderly shop.

So glad to see a vid after 2 months of waiting

Nice! Two things I'd all/modify: curing resin in 150-200 C to improve strength of the bond and speed up the process, and add water drain in sheath.

Watching a cnc machine at work is truly hypnotizing.

I was wondering why the belt loop was attached by screws, while everything else is rivetted. Then it occurred to me, it's so that it can be put on the other side for left-handed people! Great design!

I've been making a knife in my garage with a harbor freight belt sander & an old grinding wheel, no doubt it will be just as precise.

Knowing how to use technology is also an art. Congratulations from Brazil.

SAND BLASTING. of course! I cant beleive I didn't think of that. Great work as always, Aaron. Hope to own one of your knives one day.

This guy just sacrificed his manly arm hair just to make a point and for our viewing pleasure, that's dedication... RESPECT!

I'm a fan of yours after this video. My grandfather was in fact a famous knife maker. Bravo.

I love this old-world craftsmanship

Thats a seroiusly streamlined process, nice one

I've been following you for some years and what strikes me the most is the fact that back then, when your production process was all manual, the fit and finish was allready at a perceivable industrially made look. These days your knives are even more outstanding. I can't wait to own one of them...

A lot of work, for an amazing result. Nicely done.

11:49 Hacking Expert Perk required for Terminal use. **fallout reference**

Chapeau Aaron. You are producing the best quality products possible with the right philosophy. The power of this video outweighs anything in a marketeers arsenal.

Man, nowadays you can say we have some CUTTING EDGE technology. Lol

What happened to that guy in in basement with hand tools? ;-) Truly beautiful. So pleased to have watched your progression from the beginning!

This process well describes how a perfection is made. It's got so much attention to details it satisfies the most hardcore perfectionists! It's amazing how sharp the knife is! Can't wait ordering one.

"High tech, knife" - the first thing I thought that blade would be some single crystal alloy piece... Instead it started with HANDLE... :)

Stunning! Only just starting to get interested in knife making...nice to see the other end of the art. New materials and techniques do create something spectacular - coupled with your clear skills.

I am impressed. And that is a lot to get from a seventy year old toolmaker. It is nice to see a handle that will fit a XXL hand. Keep on keepin' on.

On this weeks episode of How It's Made!

You are an epic perfectionist! Nice job!

Cleanliness of our work with precision is awesome man..

Nice video, really awesome new process.

Wonderful attention to detail. Outstanding. :)

Here I was yesterday making the Gough bevel jig to file down my very first bevels. Little did I know the degree of madness going on behind the scenes! The shop looks like a lab. Brilliant work!

If christian konigsegg made knives...

How many knives can you make a day? I know the price you charge and it seems to low to cover your time and overhead.

I don't know why RU-vid only showed your channel today, but I will never leave. Loved your work, and I'm a little jealous of your workshop, tools and skills. Amazing work you are doing, keep going. Signed and Bell Botton here.

This is so perfect ;-;

Love the work but give me a forge anyday. Just my preference keep up the good work

Its hard to believe these don't cost more than they do. Such high quality, a job done that well must provide such satisfaction.

Dedication

My underwear are made of Carbon Fiber and I only brush my teeth with a Delrin toothbrush mounted in a $500,000 CNC machine.

One day I will buy one for my father and one for my son, incredible knives. Thanks for sharing.

I need your shop!

basically, using cutting edge methods to make a cutting edge?

That is just the sharpest looking knife and sheath I've ever seen. No pun intended. It is a work of modern art to be sure.

You should change the title to "Manufacturing and assembling a knife the high-tech way"

haters hate all you want .. all the way to hell ..this guy makes really an really nice knife ! love the machines !

I'm speechless, these are truly works of art.

Also, I hope you never attempt to take over the world... Because I'm fairly certain you could if you set your mind to it.

You shouldn't be wasting your time making knives mate. Your skills can be far better used in other industries.

Absolutely love my #1074! In one word, perfection. I really like Aarons concept of choosing a single design and perfecting it to incredible standards. Its different from many other makers. I see some critical of the fact that he makes use of technology rather than as he had by hand but his goal is making the best product possible. Humans made these machines for a reason, to achieve what is simply impossible to do alone. Just seeing his work shop speaks volumes to his work ethic. Looks like he could be making mechanical time pieces its so clean. If you are after the individuality of a custom made by hand with all its character and imperfections there are plenty of great knife makers doing that. I rest assured that every detail on my knife is absolutely perfect, the fit and finish, the materials chosen, the heat treatment, the blade finish, its all been thoroughly tested and chosen for a reason, to be as good as possible. My first slice through cardboard seriously impressed. It slid through with far less resistance than any other knife I have used including far slimmer folders. Zero compromises.

anyday if you need any employee just let me know please. I will quit my job and start working for you. you dont have to pay me.

Dang man, I am speechless. So many ways to make knives and I appreciate the hard work and effort made to produce them and this video. Thank you so much for sharing!

I learned my knife making here way back when you were using a file to flat grind. Great to see your success. Never rest.

Beautiful piece of work! It has a balance between high-tech industrial process and old-fashioned craftsmanship.

Wow. Just... wow. THAT is how you make a NICE knife EVERY TIME.

As impressive and practical as this is I believe it takes all the magic out of the process

Every knife you make is undoubtedly a masterpiece, and the craftmanship you put into it is visible from every aspect. I wish i could have one .

I haven't seen your knife in over a year plus. I always wanted one but the waiting was insane. I totally understand being a one man show at least from what I saw over a year ago.

Beautiful knife and greatest quality and most stringent process I've ever seen..I'd imagine you probably make the strongest and longest lasting knives in the world..

When I first started watching I hated the process. But then as you watch more you can see the level of thought that has gone into this and can't help but appreciate how intelligent the approach is. I feel like you should send one to Joe Rogan and Steve Rinella. It seems like an amazing product.

MESMERIZING! I appreciate this level of DIY soooo much. It’s what we all aspire to, really. Yes, one can use rocks and sticks to make things, as I’m sure you’re well versed in, however, your ingenuity and creativity (which is what makes us all human) is very much radiating off of every one of these blades. 👏

What a workshop, clean and beautifully organized,

I am completly blown away by this! Lovely job

I could watch this video forever! Amazing work