Dark Side...Bird's Eye handle added with pic

tippit · October 02, 2011, 04:14:00 PM

Master Smith Burt Foster has some simple yet eloquent knives called the Dark Side. These do not have handles attached just raw steel. I've been intrigued with his style for some time.

Burt's Dark Side Knives

Backing up a bit, my town has a Transfer Center ie: Dump

We have no trash pickup so everyone takes their own. To save on the cost of trash disposal, we have all sorts of recycling bins plus a Swap Shed that people leave things others might want. Half of my shop has come from the Dump...it's that good. Once I even found a coal forge!!

Getting back to the Dark Side, I found a real old rusted/pitted carriage seat spring. I knew the steel had to be good and probably something like 5160. Into my truck it went. It was so pitted that I thought it might have a lot of character for my Dark Side version.

OAL 7 3/4" with skinning blade of 3 1/2". This blade is finished as is...tippit

skullworks · October 02, 2011, 06:34:00 PM

I like it!

DANA HOLMAN · October 02, 2011, 07:05:00 PM

Sweet, they look really good

akaboomer · October 02, 2011, 07:58:00 PM

Nice! i wish we had a swap shed like that here.

Chris

snakewood3 · October 02, 2011, 09:45:00 PM

Very nice ! Have you ever messed with old figure 8 type navy anchor chain ? I know the Japanese forgers prize it for making laminated blades.

tippit · October 02, 2011, 09:49:00 PM

Charles,
I have a few links of old wrought iron chain but no figure 8 navy anchor chain.

snakewood3 · October 02, 2011, 09:54:00 PM

I will pm you a pic of what I have tomorrow.

4runr · October 03, 2011, 11:34:00 AM

Very nice Jeff!

tippit · October 15, 2011, 08:14:00 AM

I know I said this one was finished as a Dark Side blade...but I liked the feel of it too much to go naked. So I had to draw the temper in the tang back to be able to drill more pinning holes for the handle. Single pin showing with a hidden pin in the butt.

Bird's Eye Maple stained with dark brown leather dye and Tru-Oil finish...tippit

Steve Nuckels · October 15, 2011, 10:51:00 AM

Finished up great, I love it!

Steve
-------
Potomac Forge

Bodork · October 15, 2011, 10:57:00 PM

That finished out beautifully! I love the depth in the maple.

Scott Teaschner · October 16, 2011, 10:50:00 AM

I sure like it! Scott

wislnwings · October 16, 2011, 02:24:00 PM

Your work always impresses me. Well done.

GRINCH · October 19, 2011, 02:32:00 AM

Very well done

House · October 19, 2011, 02:01:00 PM

I really liked it as a Dark side, but love it with that maple handle!

Nice work as always!

Travis

GRINCH · October 23, 2011, 01:15:00 AM

The more I look at it the more I like it,again great job.

swp · October 24, 2011, 11:17:00 AM

SAWEET!!

L. Harris · October 24, 2011, 05:02:00 PM

Beautiful Knife!!