Western Bowie in Damascus (Pro Photo)

[Doug Campbell]

Well I see now it that you say it, thanks. Not sure I'll have time or that I'll get there in time to use it but I may try and build on for the AR Show. How bout you Karl?

[tomsm44]

Who is putting on this competition/show, and where at in Ar is it?  I've just, in the past 6 months or so, started to get involved with the greater knifemaking community.  I'm planning to join ABS this year and hopefully get some forging equipment so that I can broaden my knifemaking skill set.  I would love to start going to some of these events that I hear about on here, but most of the ones that I read about are too far from my little hole in N. Louisiana for me to make it to.  Parts of Arkansas might be doable if the timing is right.  

Oh, and Lin, I love the knife so far.  I always enjoy your WIPs, partly because I enjoy seeing styles/techniques that are so different from what I use on the small full tang knives I typically do, but mainly because the design/fit/finish of your knives is some of the best I've seen.  These threads are not only interesting, but very instructive to young guys like me.

Thanks,
Matt

[Track]

Outstanding pattern.

[Lin Rhea]

Matt, We have lots of events in Arkansas. Its not that far. We'd love to have you. I can send you some information if you email me.

[kbaknife]

I'm going to try my darnedest to get one done.
I also do not know if I'll get there in time. I'm picking up Brian Thie on the way down and still don't know my entire schedule.
I'm also going to have a  "special" guest at my table!!      

Originally posted by Doug Campbell:
How bout you Karl?

[tomsm44]

Lin, email sent.

Thanks

[amar911]

Lin,

That pattern reminds me of the beautiful little sheep horn hunter I have that you made. This is another spectacular knife that deserves every word of praise it has received. When you get words of admiration from Doug and Karl, you know you are doing something special, because those two are rock stars also!

Allan

[Lin Rhea]

OK, I'm back on this one. I took a railroad spike and forged this guard, ferrule, and buttcap out of it. I cut the head off the spike and barely had enough material for the fittings.
 

I drilled, milled, and filed the slot to fit before heating and forging the curls. I was really trying to not let it bend where the ricasso shoulders set against the front. I was nervous but it worked. I have lots of clean up but you can get and idea of where this is going.
 

[Steve Nuckels]

Oh I love the finger guard!

I like your before and later photos.  This knife is going to be hansome!

Steve
--------
Potomac Forge
W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation

[manitou1]

Very nice Lin.  The suspense is nearly unbearable... I can't wait to see the final result!

[D.Ellis]

Very cool guard.
Darcy

[Lin Rhea]

[Lamey]

Lin, 'splain that list pic?  Just a hold down to hand finish your guard?  You come up with some neat tooling,  should have Uncle Al build and sell it.  I know ide buy one your guard jacks!!

[Lin Rhea]

Made of square tubing and all thread.
 


I've found that tooling can free you or limit you. Think of the new shapes and designs you can contemplate if only you can figure out how to gain access to every little tight corner and crevice.

[Lin Rhea]

[Lin Rhea]

Gettin a little more done on this one. This is a tough one.

 

This is a butt cap with a tail. It started as a 3 inch section of RR spike.

 

I got a start on shaping it.

 

[gudspelr]

Very nice looking, Lin.  Is the tail on the butt cap going to be bent under making it a D-type guard?  Also, is it going to have some kind of finial nut on the end or a hammered through tang?

I rather like the coin edge spacers, but they seem like a significant challenge to me to get right...  I know another maker who measures the circumfrence, then divides that by the number of file marks, then marks it accordingly, then finally files each groove.  Something tells me I'd manage to mess that up really easy...  Is that the same way you make yours?

Thanks for sharing your progress and methods-it's greatly appreciated.


Jeremy

[Lin Rhea]

Yea, I am wanting to curve the rear tail forward with a tip curl to mirror the front one. It will have a gap and not be a full D guard but will offer some of the same effects. I plan to hammer the tang into a button after passing out the hole. There will be some pins to hold the cap too.

[Doug Campbell]

come on already...    

Guess I'll just have to picture it in my mind... oh yea I like that...  

[Lin Rhea]

I may get it done this afternoon Doug.