W2 Bowie in the works (finished photo added)

[Lin Rhea]

I forged and heat treated this blade a while back. As you see sometimes I set things aside and get back to them when things get right. The blade is 9 1/4 inches and is W2 steel which I coated with clay (Satanite) for the differential hardening effect. Believe it or not, I am not clay coating for the hamon as much as for the true reason that differential hardening was developed in the first place. I believe this gives the blade the characteristics I want in it, such as toughness and durability. The hamon make this more visibly evident and looks cool. Here is the blade and the aluminum pattern. Notice that there is subtle differences in the two. But if you lay the two, one on top of the other, they are very very close. It's the depth of the blade and the clip and plunges that make it look a little different. That's another subject.

 

[Lin Rhea]

The blade is tested and then finished by hand sanding and alternately etching and polishing.

 

[kbaknife]

Yeah, baby!
W2 will get so sharp that you can only take it out of the sheath in the dark.
('Cause the shadow will cut the leg off a table!)  

[madness522]

Looking good Lin!

[David Yukon]

Again Lin, that is really looking good... So far! And I'm sure it will look terrific when done!!

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks.

I got the guard pressed and JB Welded. It's tricky getting an "S" guard to fit tight on the filed shoulders. I'll follow with a picture of the joint after the JBW is cleaned off. I have to make the ferrule/spacers next, but might be a couple days before I get pictures. I plan to put a nice stag taper on it and a butt cap.

 

[Ragnarok Forge]

Lin,  

What do you use to clean up the JB weld?   I always try to keep the extra squashed out to a minimum.  You are clearly doing something else.

[Lin Rhea]

I let it set for a few(15 or so)minutes, then wet a cotton swab with Wd-40 and gently wipe the excess JBW off. I alternate the wet swab, then a dry one till it's done. I dont flood the area with Wd-40, just enough.

[gables]

Lin, thanks for sharing. Are you heating and shaping that s- guard or is that shape all ground from thicker stock?

[ymountainman]

Lin i wondered where you have been.I look on here everyday missed ya!!!

[Bladepeek]

Looks like you really nailed that heat treatment. Hard edge, soft spine is easy. Looks like you did it the way the Japanese swords were done, with the spring temper in the middle. Beautiful temper line, even if you say that's just a by-product of what you trying to accomplish.

I'm glad to see a new post from you too. It's always an education.

[Lin Rhea]

I'm still here Cliff. Thanks guys.
Gabriel, I heated it and hammered it lightly into an "S". I had to stay off the flat area. It seems that there is always some straightening to do but it has to be kept to a minimum or lose the guard's thickness. This guard was a second atempt.      
Here's the guard cleaned off.

 

[Lamey]

Lin,  what kind of file guide (for cutting the shoulders of the tang) do you use?

I have to buy another,  the one Ive been using is about gave up the Ghost.

Cool fighter, cant wait to see it finished!

[kbaknife]

That's looking nice, Lin.
Wait until you see the blade I forged up yesterday - and then you post this one today.

[robtattoo]

Beautiful blade Lin, can't wait to see it finished.

Did you get my PM, by the way?

[amar911]

That knife is looking great, Lin. You do amazing things with steel!!! The hamon on that blade is stunning and the guard almost looks like it is milled from the blade material -- great metal-to-metal fit.

Allan

[Lin Rhea]

Matt, I use a file guid made by a friend several years ago. It is showing it's age, but still work s fine when I do my part. I also have one made by a master bladesmith who is a machinist by trade. It's a nice one too.

Got it Rob. Thanks.

Thanks Allan. I should have this one finished sometime over the coming weekend if all goes as planned.

[kbaknife]

Matt, I use the one from Riverside Machine with the carbide face. It's a little pricey, but I've been using it regularly for, I forget, 2-3 years anyway.
Looks like the day I bought it.
http://www.riversidemachine.net/item576493.ctlg

[Doug Campbell]

Very, very nice Lin            

Can't go wrong with the Riverside carbide file guide. I made a couple over the years from full hardened O-1 before I got mine from Uncle AL. No comparison, spend the $$ and get a good one.

[akaboomer]

Its looking great Lin. The Hamon shows up nice and is more along the lines of what I am wanting to get out of the next project that is waiting, forged but waiting. Can,t wait to see it finished and hoping the Images Chuck gets of it show the detail.

Chris