Barry Irving

Artist Statement/Bio: I recently retired from the University of Alberta. Prior to retirement I coached the U of A range team for 31 years and managed the U of A (Northern) agricultural research stations, including 2 ranches and several integrated land based research units. I took up recreational knife making 4 years ago and dabble in knives when the snow comes and the winds blow. I have no intention of selling knives so have made several for SRM colleagues. I am willing to make a custom knife for anyone interested, in return for a significant donation to the Jessica Orozco Memorial Fund. Contact me if you wish to discuss. My knives are bush knives, meant to be used and abused. I make knives out of recycled steel and natural material for the handles. I have limited northern wood that is hard enough for handles (and has character), so I have recently resorted to some purchased handle material (can’t make my annual trek to the SRM annual meeting to get some hard wood from the southern desert country) . I still try to incorporate native or naturalized species as a source of handle material in all my knives.

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