soon to start first try at wire inlay

beaver#1 · June 16, 2009, 08:48:00 PM

i am fixing to try the wire inlay for the first time. does yall have any suggestions or tips that will help put me on the right path? thanks alot

kbaknife · June 16, 2009, 09:14:00 PM

Yep.
http://www.blademag.com/article/silverwireinlaypartone/

http://www.knifeworld.com/handles-guards.html

These will save you time and aggravation like you won't believe!

Steve Nuckels · June 16, 2009, 09:57:00 PM

Have you handle shape very close to finished befor you start. Mine were just slabs when I did then I shaped the wood and removed alot of the wire and had to redo it!

inlay is alot of fun!

Steve

Lin Rhea · June 17, 2009, 08:21:00 AM

Do lots of reading and attend hammer ins and classes, if possible. Go for it. Lin

beaver#1 · June 17, 2009, 06:19:00 PM

thanks yall

Lin Rhea · June 17, 2009, 06:46:00 PM

Dustin,

That book, "Handles and Guards", that Karl mentioned, is just great. Money well spent. Lin

beaver#1 · June 17, 2009, 11:08:00 PM

i was wanting to use copper wire but i am having trouble finding copper bezel wire. any suggestions?

Jeremy · June 18, 2009, 07:26:00 AM

If you want to use copper you'll have to cut your own wire. I bought a sheet of copper the same thickness as my silver.

I started out learning with brass and nickel silver, then switched to silver. Using the cheaper materials encourages you to practice a lot. You'll end up with tool handles and random pieces covered in vines and swirls. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have done any of that if I started with silver.

Lin Rhea · June 18, 2009, 08:01:00 AM

Good advice Jeremy. If and when you do decide to buy any fine silver, I would get the ribbon shaped wire ( I guess thats what you call bezel ), and get full soft. They have full hard, medium soft, and full soft. It will be so much easier and smoother to make the bends and curves.
I bought a set of mini pliers from Craftsman that are pretty good for the bending and cutting. I dont cut anything but the silver with the cutters. In new condition, they clip the silver off smooth, with no sided to side breaking. I let my wife use another set and she cut some stainless wire for her jewelry and now they dont cut smooth. So I bought me another set and she got the others. Lin