Raymond Richard

Here's a photo I took when I first started working on the bird. Made a few changes in the process. I was also working on a knife part of the time which I just now finished. Pretty sure the blade is W-2 with wrought iron fittings. The handle I believe to be caribou antler.

Is it done yet? Guess you could give vinegar a try. In a pinch urine will also etch.

James, Other than losing the feeling in the part of the thumb I use its actually doing better than I thought. Did burn it a little the other day and didn't feel a thing. Once I smell burning flesh I know what it is.

The other bird is a lot more gentle. This Bird is a lot more to the point. First time I mounted the blade to the handle it reminded me of the old Heckle and Jeckle cartoons. Everything was done sorta free hand but I did use a pencil and my left thumb to do the radius pattern before I went to the brush. After the paint was dry I used a scribe to scratch the paint. Its sealed with 4 coats of a floor finish.

99% of the time I design as I go. Actually did the painting twice. Normally the first time I do something is better than second or third time but I won't tell anyone. It is a thru tang. This blade was forged to shape with hand held hammer and cleaned up with a carbide burr in a rotary tool and then etched. Put a coat of paste wax on it and put it the oven to temper which gave it the dark color.

Think I originally forged this blade in 2009 when I made a couple war clubs and never got around to using it. Never got around to using it until a couple months ago but shortly after I started working on it I had an accident when my right thumb jumped in front of the blade of my table saw while I was cutting the piece of handle material for this project. First time doing any art work like this for me. It was a learn as I go moment. The half is 18" and made from a piece of hickory. The 7" blade was once part of a truck leaf spring Wayne Goddard had given me years ago.

Geoff, I'm not pulling out of knife making all together yet. I've still have the anvil I purchased to do demo's with so I can still do some tinkering. The bright side with the thumb is it was still attached. The cut I received was more like how you would fillet a fish. I did manage to sever the nerve so everything above the cut feels dead. The blade just nicked the bone while the cut went down to the knuckle. Have to yet injure myself with my portabandsaw but I do find the blade sometimes becomes invisible. I would imagine if I did cut myself it would be a more gentile cut. When the 40 year old 10" carbide tipped circular saw blade hit my right thumb it felt like it got hit with a sledge hammer. I think shit was the first word to leave my lips followed by "HOSPITAL"! Photo is of my thumb 3 weeks after the accident. I'm holding the piece of hickory I was cutting when I had the accident.

Mr. Todd now has a new toy. Thanks!

Blair, I had heard that a knife maker in Gresham from time to time was doing the Gresham Saturday Market. I had gone yesterday and last Saturday with hopes of meeting you. I live about a 1/2 mile from your friend Darrel who lives on 302'nd. I live on Jackson Road which is just across the road from Darrel's property. I'm sure we had crossed paths at the OKCA Show. I'll give you a call this afternoon.

Since my right thumb tried to commit suicide with my table saw back in August plus my car needs fixing its time to start downsizing. This has been my main anvil for 25 years and it has served me well. My guess its right around 150 pounds. Its in excellent shape. I'm asking $500.00 firm. Buyer will need to pick it up, I can no longer move it. I'm in Gresham, Oregon.

That bird in the first photo looks like its could fly away. I spent a lot of my time down at the local ponds doing a little fishing during summer vacation as a kid. Quite ofter I would see that same bird. We use to call it a "king fisher". Is that the same name for it in Australia? You have many artistic skills! In March of 1970 I took my R&R from Vietnam to Sydney in pursuit of the local 2 legged wildlife. I did better with the birds.......

Big Red did it again with another set of twins this morning however before I spotted Big Red I noticed a coyote along the outer edge of the blackberry forrest. Then I spotted a second coyote with a pup. It looked like they were having a meal and my wife thought they had caught a rabbit. Turns out it was one of the twins about a third of the way eaten when I got to it. Nature in action. Probably best for mother cow to only provide for one calf.

Rob, Your messy shop looks well kept if you ask me. The knife looks good and I'm sure you'll put it to work. I believe I did one stacked leather handle years ago but not sure what became of it. Your one heck of an artist...... Your wildlife photo's and paintings are amazing!

Rob, Your photographic skills look very professional! These animals live out in my back yard. First photo is of Big Red's hind end and her first set of twins born in September of 2017. Big Red had a second set of twins born last year in September also. Lucky the bull was the father of the first set of twins and Short Round was the father of the second set of twins. I'm expecting Big Red to birth sometime this month. Hope she just has one this time but it won't surprise me if she has twins again. Guess you could call her the golden cow. My photo skills are close to none. I use a Canon with what it just came with.