Dogwood Medalion

[Lin Rhea]

It's pretty hot around here and I'm waiting for some Accraglass to cure so I thought I would post up a small how to. Or I should say How I do.

You've probably seen one of my past knives with a dogwood medalion on the butt cap. It's so easy I can do it. Here's how I do it. I like to use a softer material but it can be done with steel too. I'm using Bronze because of the color and it's ability to take stain. I'm making this knife to look like it come from early days of this country. In fact, it's that "biggun" blade.

I start by drilling a hole in a plate. This hole is the center of the flower. Everything just fans out from there. Here's some pics that are self explanitory but I will be glad to answer any other questions.

I drilled the hole and sawed towards the hole from 4 corners. I then rounded it somewhat and filed into the saw cuts with a three corner file.
 

Real easy.
 

Then refine the shape. I like to look at photos of Dogwood flowers before I start so I can get it fresh in mind. It's just an impression.
 

Next I hammered the top, graved some shading, blackened it, and buffed the high lights. That's it.

 

I'll fit it onto the butt cap with a nickle silver pin that will be stippled to look like part of the flower. I should be finished with the knife soon.

[Ray Hammond]

Really nice Lin

Imagination is a really important asset and you've got a ton!

[2treks]

That is very cool Lin,
Thanks

CTT

[Shinken]

DANG!  That is sa-weeeet work right there!

Most-excellent!

Shoot straight, Shinken

 

[Izzy]

Hence, the title of Master Smith.

[Lin Rhea]

Thank you. This is so simple to do and there is no end to the small touches you can add to a knife or similar crafted objected.

[Steve Nuckels]

That's cool Lin!  

I bought some antique Gravers and have been itchin to use them.

Steve
--------
Potomac Forge

[gudspelr]

Lin-

Do you have any pictures of the gravers you used?  I've been looking around at some, but don't know which ones would be the most useful for a guy making knives...  Thanks for posting your methods, sure helps take some of the mystery out.

Jeremy