Richard van Dijk

Hi Gary Thanks for the compliment. It is really not that complicated to make those fittings, but then it helps having over 35 years experience as a gold smith. Thanks for the compliments guys. Richard

Very nice work Gilbert, I really like the bowie.

My latest Sgian Dubh, Pattern welded blade approx. 450 layers, bone handle capped with Sterling Silver fittings and pins and set with a New Zealand Greenstone (Nephrite) Total length 20 cm, Blade 10.5 cm. Scabbard leather and Sterling Silver. With special thanks to Maisie who cleaned up the bones.

What a fantastic job, congrats.

That is a real beauty Jake.

Hi Kevin, A lot of cheaper stuff keeps me busy these days and I don't really like posting it, yes I melt the coins and poor them into a mold, than I can forge it to required thickness or until my jewellery rolling mill can take it so I can roll it to about 1.5 mm and manufacture the fittings.

Thank you, the wood is a New Zealand native and it is related to the olive.

Alan and Chris, yes I like the bronze, it is much easier to cast into a plate mold then copper and over time it gets a beautiful patina.

I have not posted anything for a while but here is one I just finished, Pattern welded blade (sorry lost count of the layers), New Zealand Black Maire handle capped with coin bronze ferrule and guard, the pommel has a 1 cent coin inlaid (out of circulation) the fittings are made out of the same bronze.Total length 25.5 cm Blade to guard 13 cm. Richard

Pattern welded 3 bar Bowie Centre bar Jelly roll mosaic cutting edge 318 layer. Spine and guard mild steel and nickel, Sterling silver fittings and Ringed Gidgee handle.Total length 38 cm, blade 25 cm

Thanks very much for your kind comments guys. Richard

Scottish Dirk, 318 Layer pattern welded, sterling silver fittings with Bog Rata handle, I did use some black dye to get the wood a bit blackerTotal length 47 cm blade 33cmI still have to make the scabbard.

That is a spectacular bit of work Jake, congrats. Richard

Hunter , 1095, brass, leather, deer antler, total length 25.5 cm blade 13 cm.

That really did not turn out too bad Alan, I have made a few folders and I find them a real pain, they take even more time to make than anything else. To my shame I really should have a folder I made my self but I have been carrying an Opinel for over 40 years.