I have had this small Bowie forged and heat treated for a few weeks now but needed to get something done during the rain and snow. This is just the blade part way through the finishing process. I have the edge tested and the profile hand sanded. I now have to hand sand the blade flats after which I will go over the whole blade with a finer grit, then start the guard and handle. This blade is 6 1/2 inches long and is 5160 steel.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/13217986813_3ba783d22d_c.jpg)
I like the looks of this one. The somewhat shorter versions are a nice variation to me on the longer ones so often made. I look forward to seeing what you have in mind for the guard and handle.
Jeremy
Looking good so far Lin!
As you may know Jeremy, I have made some rather large knives in the past few months and wanted to make something smaller. While they require just as close tolerance, they are easier just because there is less of them. I'll get it all cleaned up before starting the guard and handle. It'll be a good cutter.
Can't wait to see the end product.
Thanks guys. This picture sure shows the stain from the logo etch. But that will be gone soon. :campfire:
Very nice, Lin.
I'm building one almost the same length, with a bit of recurve.
I'll get some pictures along the way and post them up as well.
Karl, that sounds like a nice one.
Lin, I'll bet the smaller amount of real estate is a lot nicer to deal with ;) .
Jeremy
Another dandy in the making Lin!
I'm already lusting after this one.....
Looking forward to see what you do with this one Lin.
Hi Lin,
Any progress to report on this one?
Danny
I will soon Rick. I have baby showers and wedding showers and cant seem to get anything done. I will though, very soon. Thanks
I got the blade sanded this morning.
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2909/13492050204_84dec7dc73_c.jpg)
Oh,boy does that look nice... You sure know how to put a nice finish on a blade, Lin. Do you mind sharing what grit that is? And out of curiosity, do you wet sand? I've gone to using the Rhinowet paper and have tried with a bit of windex as I go.
Jeremy
Jeremy, I sand dry most of the time with shop roll. I took this to 320 but made sure that all other scratches are out. Always be careful to sand straight toward the end of your final grit size using a semi soft backing stick. Mine is leather faced.
I forged the fittings and have them annealing now.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/13515067794_4ce28d9a3c_c.jpg)
They have since been heated and curved into a slight "S" shape.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/13521157534_f493e01c6e_b.jpg)
My-O-My....... :D
I was planning on ironwood but have a nice piece of mahogany stag that would look good on it too. I better decide soon. :scared:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/13536594314_bfe5e50f6c_c.jpg)
:thumbsup:
I love your stag handles but that ironwood is looking fantastic.
Sorry Chuck! Too late. :D
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/13539492673_49d20fe5c7_c.jpg)
Thanks for the sanding info, Lin. On those final passes, I find myself struggling sometimes to keep the lines going perfectly straight down the blade without any wandering.
I'm enjoying your fittings more and more. Don't get me wrong-I really like the knives, but your work with the different fittings really strike me. I think in particular your ability to forge them gets my attention. For some reason, they stick out more to me and look especially nice compared to just typical "bar stock" size stuff.
Jeremy
Thank you Jeremy. I am really enjoying the forging process more and more. I think it is because of the practice I get at work. The guard and ferrule/spacer was 3/8 X 3/4 stock to begin with, which simply would not work for my finished size I wanted for these parts. So, I feel like I can not worry about the starting stock as much since I have the freedom to radically change it if need be.
That's looking great. I love your 'high tech jig' that you used to clamp the stag on in the last picture. You sir are a genious. I've just recently started doing some hidden tang knives and have been having trouble with getting it all clamped straight to dry. Turns out all I need is a few rubber bands.
Matt
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2900/13546650743_8577e0bf66_c.jpg)
The Dogwood flower is hammered fine silver.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/13546570865_9d9c043013_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5267/13546571745_a3e98bb3eb_c.jpg)
Very beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy your progress shots.
Chris
Hey Mr.Lin looks dandy!
Well, that's OK. With the choice of materials and the guy putting it together, it was a win-win.
I love them flowers.
Lin, that is absolutely beautiful!
You are an artist! Thanks for sharing.
Very nice :thumbsup: . I love when you post threads like these.
Jeremy
QuoteOriginally posted by Ragin Bull:
Lin, that is absolutely beautiful!
You are an artist! Thanks for sharing.
Yes Lin,
Thank you for sharing the progress of this project!
It is absolutely stunning!
Danny
Another work of art. Great work. Picking the stag was the right choice.
That came out really, really nice Lin. I love it!
Good night that's awesome!!! Very cool to see it all come together like that.
OH YEAH! I know a fella who'd be awfully close to covetous about stag like that! Great fittings and finial as well. :thumbsup:
Darcy
Thanks guys. :campfire:
Great knife!! Really enjoy your attention to the "little" details. To me those are what make or break a good design/work of art. To me your knives are both, thanks for sharing.
Beautiful. I love the look of the short (compared to a lot of your others) wide blade. I also love the flower accents that I see on a lot of your knives. You said you finished the blade to 320 grit. What grit do you finish your fittings to?
Thanks.
Matt, I finish them differently. Literally. I like contrast. I will finish the side view polished, the front/back view satin, etc. I don't have a particular grit that I prefer, but the finish needs to be consistent going in the same direction. If it is polished, there cant be scratches showing through.
The hammered flower is in contrast to the satin finish on the butt cap.
I find that 320-400 grit is fine as long as the lines are all even. I also use Scotchbrite to finalize and even the lines.
Thanks for consistently sharing your beautiful blades and techniques. I really like the size of this one and the detail shots you included.
Thanks Lin.