Bunch of things to see here. I'll add a few more. Satalite is spotty today. I don't want to loose the post delaying with all the pics ....

Well ... let's see.



A "part" in the lathe. Illustration of something I've told many of you thru the years: you CAN make delicate small parts with large stationary tools. Don't waste your money spending premium prices on dinky little machine tools, just because you are only going to make small parts. Ridgid tools make accurate parts.



Prepared for acid etching ... here you see a real clean blade. Note the polished background is uniform and clear.

Around about 1981-83 ..... I forged out some various types of damascus blades, forged 1060 tool steel, and wire damascus blade stock. I made up a handle which would mechanically attach to several blades (all of which were made to the same geometry - shape, upsweep, edge, etc.) I then tested the blades thru a harsh regiment of cutting one inch rope segments, cutting thru 2 by 4s, chopping, cutting steel shavings from cold rolled steel, and others. I compiled the information, wrote an article ... and sent it to the editor of the "Knives" series of annual collector books. They published the article - probably in "Knives 82". Mine is packed away. The series of books are still being printed. It's a "state of the art" each year. I had a pocket knife on the cover in 83 ... had a bunch of my work in the books thru the years. Lost touch with them round about 1990. Anyway ... the winner of my knife blade test, was a particular type of wire damascus forge welded carbon steel blade. The other week, I ran across a remaining portion of the bar of wire damascus steel I'd made the test blade from. It was clearly labeled. Was fairly small, and had some questionable areas in it. Since I seem to get talked out of every knife I make, I never have one. I decided I'd try again, and use this little pc. of steel that is special to me. The fact that it's somewhat flawed, makes it far less likely to be salable.

I made up the blade, heat treated it ... and, yep ... there was a flaw in it. Well, the ancients didn't just turn every blade with a tiny flaw in it into a tomatoe stake in the garden ... sometimes, they'd carve out the flaw, by carving a dragon, or some other animal or symbol over the area. Now - there are flaws that effect things, and flaws that are small cosmetic things. I can't tell you the number of damascus knife blades I tossed aside for tiny, tiny flaws. Well, I decided to create a "Horimono" (carved symbol or animal) or "Atobori" (usually carved later, to upgrade a blade with a small flaw) .... if I understand the Japanese blade collector's terms properly.



Here's the blade, all forged, ground, heat treated, reground and polished. In this state, the component layers and sections of the laminated blade are not visible. EXCEPT FOR the weaker imperfect weld line thru the blade. Won't hurt it - but it doesn't make a collector blade. Now - in the spot where the Dragon is now, there WAS a small delaminated "cold shut". I carved it out - it's gone. And, a Dragon emerged from the process.



Now, you see the scrolls remain in "relief" as the "resist" material protected the design created. The acid uniformly removed steel from the unprotected background. This process is very particular - if the resist material fails, it ruins the design. Soooo many things have to be corrrect. Also; note that the "scale" pattern of the actual steel grain structure is revealed now. The acid has attacked the steel component sections and the actual welded seams, as a slightly different rate. This shows the composite sections. Note the weak weld shows as a somewhat white line.



Now, where the real flaw was, a Dragon resides. Think of it this way: If you take a #2 grade pine board with a knot on the end of it ..... and you cut off the knotted end ..... so that only clean pine remains ...... THEN ... do you have a #2 grade pine board with no knot in it at all ... OR .. .... to you have a "D-Select" or clear pine board? Hummmm. hahaha.

Well, whatever, I have a blade for my pocket knife .... from the early 80's testing, with a dragon on one side. ;?) A dragon where a flaw was ... and a blade for Gary, where none existed. ;?)



I went to the range, yesterday. Jerry was kind enough to come up and help me REMOVE and INSTALL heavy A/C units in the shop. After that, we went over to the range for a while. I have a bunch of pics. I had a lousy headache most of the day. Still had fun. It finally subsided .... but left me with that "balloon head" feeling" .....



I took the Nitro for some more testing. I'd had the scope off - improved the breech ream for a wider variety of slugs, and was explaining the "sight pic" after the re-installed scope. Was setting Jerry up for some shots ... being kind.

Jerry, "ALLOWED" me to shoot his Yukon. Here he carefully explained that HIS sighting set-up was perfect. hahaha. Put the dot where the hole will appear.

I'll post this (I hope) ... and more later.

Gary



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/01/2011 09:40PM by barnespneumatic.

Neat story, I really like the new knife. I don't collect knifes but I always want want handy for use. I've had the folder you made on my belt for years now. I think it's been over a year since I sharpened the edge. I was reminded of that when I checked the razor edge on the #2 blade!

Oh, I just got my favorite basic photo-edit program working on the new computer. I'll have to edit and then do some posting...

Hi Jerry,

yeah ... glad you got the program running. Hope you got some good pics.

We have to get your "Big Game" trophy pics posted. ;?)

I had a darned headache for a few hours again this afternoon. didn't get back here. Feeling better now. I'll post a few. Need coffee and to set out some trash for Monday morning first!

Gary

Glad you got time at the range. And that blade is a beauty. I hope that dragon doesn't bite!

Really nice. I'm sure when you finish. It will be a WOW how did he do that..

And if you don't want to sell your knife don't show it here.

It's like keeping a secret. If you want to keep it you don't tell nobody. Dory

Hey - I can trust you guys ... can't I?

hahah

Gary

Gary,

Nice work, throw up a picture of the finished knife.

Lon

I will. For now though, it's a very simple and light weight uni-frame pc. from green canvas phenolic. One of the earliest of the carbon fiber type materials. About WWII era material - very light and strong. Actual canvas material cured with phenolic resin - one of the first thermo plastics.

Gary

Gary:


It looks like you and Jerry had a great time at the range. Wish I was there. About your side project...Another beautiful knife. I hope you are going to give it a equally beautiful matching handle. Hmmmm. The blade material reminds me of mine. The blade shape reminds me of mine as well...so maybe a simililar handle? Of course, I wouldn't try to talk you out of it.

Seriously though, I use my knife regularly (but carefully) and it is still razor sharp and gorgeous to look at. Thank you for sharing!

Karl

Hello Karl,

Hey, alas .... I'm but a meager craftsman. I must do with crumbs from the work bench ... No engraving and ancient ivories for me ... no ... I first tried to make the frame from a saltine cracker (well ... actually the WalMart generic version of a real Saltine) ... but it broke in final testing.

It was then that I remembered this green canvas phenolic.

I'll have to get a pic

Gary

Here ya go ...

Gary,

Neat, it almost has a wood look.

How much would you sell it for?

Lon

Gary :

Well, its not Mastodon ivory or Scottish red deer antler material ...( lol) but still a great knife and quite striking. I hope you get to keep it....

If you get tired of it I'm sure there will be many people willing to help you with that.

Best,

Karl

Gary:

Nice piece! I really hope that you can keep and enjoy this one. Hehehe. I like the overall design.

Julio

Hah! Coming from you, my friend .... who is probably fiddling with the lock on my folding knife from 2005 ..... hah!!!!

cool button lock !!

I LOVE that dragon carving!

I like the contrast between the elegant etching and both the coarse dragon and the "canvas" look phenolic. Almost a "what's that burlap in your hand" then "SNAP" out flicks a decorated razor's edge!

Kent

Rex,

If you are reading along .... your stock is repaired. Rest to follow asap.

Gary

Goosh, that knife is nice. Gary.........you've got skillz....lol

Funny how that balloon looks like JERRY

It's the little funnel and knott on top .... ... heheheh

That blade is great!

and the handle is a perfect counterpunch!

Congrats on a great peice Gary.

nice