tsterling

Thanks for the kind words, guys! In fact, Chris, I've spent this week at our local knap-in, and there have been a number of knappers who have wondered how long it will last, since it such a thin obsidian piece. Then, of course, they do a double take and look confused for a little while. This is the first time they've seen this style of my knives - but I won't be able to fool them next year.

Here's my "Bluegill Dagger," another of my "Not So Ugly Fish" series (as opposed to my "Ugly Fish" series I've been having some fun with). The dagger overall length is a little over 2 inches long, and the blade itself is only 3/4 inches long, in my "Knapped Steel" style. The blade and fins (OK, full tang) are 1095 carbon steel, the body is shibuichi ( a Japanese art bronze alloy of copper and silver), with .999 Fine silver eyes and pins. The container is of American holly, iron, moose antler, copper and silver. The little dagger stand and stylized fish hook are of copper. The stand is 2 3/4 inches in diameter, and the whole thing from the top of the fish to the bottom of the stand is a little less than 3 inches tall. Thanks for looking!

Thanks for the kind words, guys! I really appreciate the constructive feedback. Tony, ask and ye shall receive. Here's the handle - I used potassium permanganate to darken the white parts to that caramel color, and carved and burned the hilt end - the cracks I carved in.

I just finished this "Sacrificial Dagger" with a knapped steel blade in a new serrated style. The edge feels particularly nasty - not your average serrated steak knife. This particular style of edge I patterned after a few actual ancient knapped stone points that have serrations like these. I had to make a stand for this fella, because I think it would saw through a sheath very quickly. This one is in 1095, 11.5 inches overall, with 5.5 inch blade, textured copper bolster, and a really nice, solid piece of elk antler for the handle, almost like sambar stag. The stand is forged mild steel, with copper and antler. I "knap" the steel with a Foredom flex shaft grinder and sanding drum, and the texture and serrations I add in with a small grinder and carbide burr. Thanks for looking! Now, where did I put those virgins?

Hi Dick, For this style of blade, I don't worry too much about sharpening - I pretty much just leave the edge as it ends up from the grind - it is a stabbing dagger, rather than a cutting blade. If I want a slicing edge, then I use the carbide burrs to cut small flakes along the edge, much like an exaggerated serrated steak knife. After heat treat, if you want it sharper, then I would use a small rod-shaped sharpening stone. I just finished a really nasty looking and feeling blade in that serrated style that I'll post as soon as I finish the stand for it. If you know about flakers, then you've probably seen the style of stone points with the mean-looking spiky edges. Is that clear as mud? Hope this helps...

Thanks for the kind words, folks. As to how I do it, would you believe a super-fast quench, then knapping in a walk-in meat freezer with a titanium nitride flaker and really, really strong hands? Not buying that? You guys are too smart for me....... Or maybe, a Foredom with a sanding drum for the large flakes, followed by a small carbide burr in an NSK grinder for the texture...

I made this little dagger as an auction fundraiser for the local knapping group sponsored Knap-in taking place here on Whidbey Island, WA August 17-23. Now that I've been knapping in steel, I've finally been able to get my flakes to run where I want them to go, and as far as I want them to go...and the blade doesn't break when I drop it. Especially since I always drop it...I also seem to cut myself less. Anyway, 1095 steel, 3 inch blade, 7 inches overall length, rawhide handle wrap, waxed linen thread. Thanks for looking!

Very pretty, Serge! I like the lines, just overall very pleasing to the eye. I'd love to play with it...

Thanks for the kind words, guys! I appreciate the feedback.

Thanks for the very kind feedback, guys! It's very helpful. I guess it's pretty clear the vote is for the textured versions. Thanks!

A fun little dagger I engraved and carved in 1080 carbon steel. It's 5 inches overall, 2 1/2 inch blade, with a birdseye maple display box/stand. This is a departure from my normal "flake scars" technique since I textured them, rather than my usual smooth grind. I'm curious as to what you think about the texturing... Here's an example of the smooth style.

I don't normally go in for the tatical look, but this one seems to work. I really like what your "accident" did to the blade. Good one, Serge!

You did it again, Jake, and managed to make two very pretty ones. Very pleasing proportions! What are the carved parts made from?

Thanks for the kind words, guys! Hawk_Shaman, here's a link to how I carve "knapped steel": http://www.sterlingsculptures.com/Resource...tutorial_01.htm

I occasionally fool around and make one of these just for grins. Ishi was the "last wild Indian" who walked out of the wilderness in the early 1900s, and lived at a museum in Berkeley, California for the remainder of his short life. He produced arrow points like these for guests of the museum, and this style is sort of the "Holy Grail" arrow point for modern flintknappers. If you can produce one of these, then your knapping skills are as good as they can get. At least for arrow points, that is. Percussion knapping large blades still eludes me... The nice part of making these in steel is not breaking the point when putting in the distinctive notches. This one is in 1080 carbon steel, hardened and tempered, and is 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) long. Local Pacific yew display box. Thanks for looking!

Very pretty little knife. Nicely done!

A beauty, Jake! Especially nice proportions.

Thanks, Walter!

Thanks Ben. I appreciate your kind words!

A fiddler crab.

OK Ty, I tried to photograph this beast again . This version any better?

Thanks, Serge. I've been enjoying your little knives with the finger guards - as well as your tutorial. I'm quite impressed with what you're able to do with such a simple equipment - should be a humbling lesson for us all .

Here's a small kiridashi (Japanese-style woodworking knife) I just finished. On this one I used several new gravers described by an excellent engraver - Carl Bleile's - the narrow banknote and the scraper. They helped a lot. Nice deep, dark cuts with the narrow banknote graver, and excellent smoothing and transitions with the scraper - brilliant additions to the engraving arsenal! Here's a link to a discussion of these gravers - Carl Bleile Scrapers and Gravers About 5 and a half inches long, 5160 carbon steel with rust finish, tulipwood box. Sorry for the lousy photography...Thanks for looking!

Hi Avadon, Here's the link for Lindsay equipment: www.HandGravers.com

Very sweet looking, Jake! The dimensions are very pleasing, as well as the choice of materials. Maybe just a coarse texture on the copper?