A while back I made a large bowie in damascus and blackwood that turned out pretty well so I thought I'd try the pattern again. I'm really liking the look and the weight distribution I can get with the proportions.
Here is a 10 inch version that I hand finished today. It's been a long weekend. Yesterday I finished another blade that will be posted in a day or two. Spread things out a little.
This a close up of the pattern.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8192/8379108088_3b052d4e30_c.jpg)
A teaser photo!
It looks great!
Steve
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Potomac Forge
W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
twisted W's Lin? It's beautifull.
Darcy :)
OK, I'm interested in seeing this one. Looks like a beauty already!!
I love the way that twist patten looks!!! I see explosions of fire at the edge!!! Loving where this is going. Can't wait to see the finished product..
Chris
love the pattern, really nice!
Thanks
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8045/8378031547_affcf26343_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8493/8379109268_8ae6da5911_b.jpg)
Looks great Lin. You guys are really making me want to get a bowie!
Is that evidance of the fine edge on your table?
CTT
This would have to be one of the nicest Damascus paterns I've seen :thumbsup:
Lin, do you recall the layer count?
Love the Hamon peaking out there.
Thanks guys. This blade will be for the knife that I will compete in a cutting competition in February. It will be a fully dressed knife and in a traditional flare.
The pattern is started by setting the billet up for a "W" pattern and then twisted. The flames and unique look this twist has is from the way I forged it. A lot of people will twist and then grind some flats on the bar. I forge it back to shape entirely. This will require performing the twist at a slightly larger squared size to allow for the reduction, driving the material inward till the "points" disappear into itself. I also will taper the squared bar allowing for the natural tapering of the particuluar blade. This makes the twisting very trickey but it can be done.
Another beauty in the works, Lin.
I have a question about damascus. I assume it depends on which metals you're using, but how does one get the heat treat right so that when the damascus goes all the way to the edge, you don't have brittle or soft spots? Is it simply a matter of choosing the right combination of metals so that the hardening and drawback temps are similar? I've seen a few makers that use a solid core with damascus on the "outside", but when I noticed in your close-ups above that the blend goes all the way out, the question popped in my head.
Thanks in advance,
Rusty
In this picture, there are three different geometries in the bar. Back where its darker is the main billet and its more or less square and parallel. Just in front of that is a slight taper (also square), which is where the twisting will start and that taper will make up the body of the blade including the ricasso. Next you will see a more rapid taper that also will be twisted. This is the clip/point area. This tapering of the bar is an attempt to distribute material to it's optimum location, before it's twisted, to minimize the pattern distortion during the blade's final forging.
I usually reduce and forge the majority of the blade's shape while on the main stalk or billet and then cut it off after I have something that my tongs will fit. This should leave enough material in the parent billet for another blade or two of the same damascus pattern or even a laddered W pattern.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8381289006_d23df15c63_c.jpg)
... tapering the twisted billet.... ahaa
I'll say it again, there's a reason you got that "MS" on the back side of your knives...
Any chance of you posting a pic of the blade lower portion from the tang end. Like to see the convex-ity?
Thanks
I'm not having much success at take the pic. Here is one that comes close. I'm using a smart phone but its not that smart.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8091/8380626559_aaae8a4db9_c.jpg)
Lin, you take better picture with your phone that I do with my camera...
As usual, Nice work!!
So is that actually hollow ground or just a full flat grind Lin? Is that the profile you would normally put on one of your competition knives? Guess I was expecting a much more convex profile. I know you've got a ton of experience in these cutting competitions. Having never done it I'm real curious... Thanks for posting that picture.
Doug, its flat ground with just the edge convexed. The angle of the picture is very deceptive. I was afraid that this picture might not give you an accurate idea of the geometry. What you are looking at is the way the plunges flow down from ricasso to the flats. Look past the choil and about where you see a piece of lint on the edge, you can start to decerne a roll in the edge. I'm going to stroke the edge on a stone a few times before the competition which will clarify the edge angle a little also serving to strengthen it.
It sort of looks hollow ground because the transition from the choil to the cutting edge (the 'dropped' portion of the blade) gradually moves/curves away from the choil.
Easy to see in Lin's second picture.
Cool looking pattern.
Well I see now it that you say it, thanks. Not sure I'll have time or that I'll get there in time to use it but I may try and build on for the AR Show. How bout you Karl?
Who is putting on this competition/show, and where at in Ar is it? I've just, in the past 6 months or so, started to get involved with the greater knifemaking community. I'm planning to join ABS this year and hopefully get some forging equipment so that I can broaden my knifemaking skill set. I would love to start going to some of these events that I hear about on here, but most of the ones that I read about are too far from my little hole in N. Louisiana for me to make it to. Parts of Arkansas might be doable if the timing is right.
Oh, and Lin, I love the knife so far. I always enjoy your WIPs, partly because I enjoy seeing styles/techniques that are so different from what I use on the small full tang knives I typically do, but mainly because the design/fit/finish of your knives is some of the best I've seen. These threads are not only interesting, but very instructive to young guys like me.
Thanks,
Matt
Outstanding pattern.
Matt, We have lots of events in Arkansas. Its not that far. We'd love to have you. I can send you some information if you email me.
I'm going to try my darnedest to get one done.
I also do not know if I'll get there in time. I'm picking up Brian Thie on the way down and still don't know my entire schedule.
I'm also going to have a "special" guest at my table!! ;)
QuoteOriginally posted by Doug Campbell:
How bout you Karl?
Lin, email sent.
Thanks
Lin,
That pattern reminds me of the beautiful little sheep horn hunter I have that you made. This is another spectacular knife that deserves every word of praise it has received. When you get words of admiration from Doug and Karl, you know you are doing something special, because those two are rock stars also!
Allan
OK, I'm back on this one. I took a railroad spike and forged this guard, ferrule, and buttcap out of it. I cut the head off the spike and barely had enough material for the fittings.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8471/8397146266_49e4c981c7_c.jpg)
I drilled, milled, and filed the slot to fit before heating and forging the curls. I was really trying to not let it bend where the ricasso shoulders set against the front. I was nervous but it worked. I have lots of clean up but you can get and idea of where this is going.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8400713420_d24e0daae0_c.jpg)
Oh I love the finger guard!
I like your before and later photos. This knife is going to be hansome!
Steve
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Potomac Forge
W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
Very nice Lin. The suspense is nearly unbearable... I can't wait to see the final result!
Very cool guard.
Darcy
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8357/8402545286_94437c71d9_c.jpg)
Lin, 'splain that list pic? Just a hold down to hand finish your guard? You come up with some neat tooling, should have Uncle Al build and sell it. I know ide buy one your guard jacks!!
Made of square tubing and all thread.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6437523925_5740f92bee_z.jpg)
(//%3Cbr%20/%3EI%20make%20a%20few%20guards%20and%20parts%20that%20I%20cant%20hold%20in%20a%20vise%20without%20scratching%20them%20or%20accessin%20the%20areas%20I%20want%20to%20sand%20so%20I%20needed%20a%20handle%20to%20extend%20and%20hold%20it.%20This%20next%20guard%20is%20one%20I%20used%20it%20on.%3Cbr%20/%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://farm9.staticflickr.com/8309/7958739756_d5827218a7_c.jpg)
I've found that tooling can free you or limit you. Think of the new shapes and designs you can contemplate if only you can figure out how to gain access to every little tight corner and crevice.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8403085179_01cca1e30a_c.jpg)
Gettin a little more done on this one. This is a tough one.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8418718320_fe4e767472_c.jpg)
This is a butt cap with a tail. It started as a 3 inch section of RR spike.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8361/8418714856_a9a2b46cc2_b.jpg)
I got a start on shaping it.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8330/8418701378_98b249877a_c.jpg)
Very nice looking, Lin. Is the tail on the butt cap going to be bent under making it a D-type guard? Also, is it going to have some kind of finial nut on the end or a hammered through tang?
I rather like the coin edge spacers, but they seem like a significant challenge to me to get right... I know another maker who measures the circumfrence, then divides that by the number of file marks, then marks it accordingly, then finally files each groove. Something tells me I'd manage to mess that up really easy... Is that the same way you make yours?
Thanks for sharing your progress and methods-it's greatly appreciated.
Jeremy
Yea, I am wanting to curve the rear tail forward with a tip curl to mirror the front one. It will have a gap and not be a full D guard but will offer some of the same effects. I plan to hammer the tang into a button after passing out the hole. There will be some pins to hold the cap too.
come on already... ;)
Guess I'll just have to picture it in my mind... oh yea I like that... ;)
I may get it done this afternoon Doug. :)
OK boys, I'm getting nervous now. I have this thing fit and flat and now I have to forge the tail down and curl it.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8420636642_c2e66a8fa1_c.jpg)
Here's the finished knife. It was a booger.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8189/8422156788_c8d13433f6_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8356/8422148230_02a8b7b899_c.jpg)
Just wow!
Just Wow indeed!
Steve
--------
Potomac Forge
W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
Even better than I'd imagined. :clapper:
Very cool!
My Oh My!!! Very Nice......
QuoteOriginally posted by Rusty Snuffers:
Just wow!
X 100!!!
Absolutely stunning. Without a doubt, one of my top 3 favorites of yours Lin. Just incredible.
Lin between that and your sub hilts I don't know whether I could ever choose which I like more! Just a superb design and execution as always!
That may be my favorite one yet. :thumbsup: I've been kicking around trying my hand at a "big knife" lately, and one thought that I had was some type of d gaurd bowie. That adds an amazing touch to the traditional d gaurd design.
I started building sheaths for my knives about a year ago and now, when I see a new knife, I can't help trying to imagine how I would design a sheath for it. The forward curl on the top of the gaurd should make for a very interesting sheath job for somebody.
Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments.
Have you ever gotten to that point where you almost want to panic? This knife had a couple of those points. :)
Yes, Matt, I have talked to my sheath maker about that very thing. At the least, the welt will have to be shortened so that curl will fit in there.
Stunning. You have no limits, Mr. Lin.
Always thinking "outside the box", and then you pull it off with class and perfection.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Thank you guys. Here is Chuck's photo showing it from different angles.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8186/8424824649_0f8e8dc2a6_c.jpg)
Holy twisted metal batman! Just a classy package, the whole way 'round. Love the reeded spacers. I've had an idea for a ring guard bowie with this conept for a while now. I've tried it twice, so far I'm 0 for 2! Next one will be good though!
-cheers!
:thumbsup:
I aspire to be half as good as you one day.
Darcy :)
Wow... Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Thanks guys. Here is a small slide show of the developement of the parts.
web page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69503114@N06/sets/72157632627922361/show/)
Lin,
Could you put up a pic with the sheath when it's finished? I'd love to see what yall com up with. Darcy, based on your work that I've seen, I'm sure you'll reach that level, but I think I'll try to set a goal that I actually have a shot at.
Lin thats your most challenging and best work to date,absolutly stunninng,congrats.
Lin, will you have that one at the Ark show?
Thanks
Yes, it will be there. :campfire:
BTW, if we can, I'd like to get some pictures of us TG members at the show so we can post them back here afterwards.
Very nice!
Man o man, can't wait to get to heft that beauty!! Incredible job Lin!
I don't want to take a knife to a gun fight, but that's the knife I would take to a knife fight!!!!! OMG, Lin! You have really made a statement with this knife. I'm just glad to know someone with your talents.
Allan
just plain ole 'sick'!
That is as fine a knife as ever there was. :notworthy:
Lin: You've posted some beauties on here, but this one is something else. Just WOW! is right. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: Lin that just put tears in my eyes I think I am in Love with her~!!!! That has to be the prettiest knife I have ever seen in my life.
Lin, that guard makes the brass "blade catcher" insert strip on the spine seem really primitive. This guard would actually function exactly that way. The whole knife is beautiful and screams functionality at the same time.
I can picture the upper guard nestled in a recess with the sheath built up to nearly guard thickness at the throat. I envy your sheath maker. He's going to handle that knife a lot :)