stephanfowler Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 A Little WIP action. the blades are HT'd and in the temper oven right now (so far the Hamon is SICK) Matching set, going to be fairly simple, Black paper Micarta, SS Guards, 1095 blades Do our major stock movement on the Bar Shaping is a pretty well refined here Knock the scale off on the grinder and true up the profile Looking like a knife now Set it up in the filing jig to work in the plunge lines To make these And now the hunter Now file in the shoulders for the guard to set against Hunter Clay layout for HT Bowie Clay layout for HT President - Georgia Knifemakers Guild ABS Journeyman Smith "Wisdom and experience are built of bricks made from the mud of failure." - Mike Blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEzell Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Those blades look great, they are going to be an awesome set. I really like the second handle, the first one has me worried about the comfort of it... That point doesn't look like it's in the right place, IMO. It may be comfortable, but if it was me, and I'd never used the design, I'd make a quick mock-up out of cheap softwood to see how it feels. You may have already tested the pattern for ergonomics, and if it feels good... I say use the second handle for both, it has that classic canoe shape that looks good and is very functional. George Ezell, bladesmith" How much useful knowledge is lost by the scattered forms in which it is ushered to the world! How many solitary students spend half their lives in making discoveries which had been perfected a century before their time, for want of a condensed exhibition of what is known."Buffonview some of my work RelicForge on facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanfowler Posted September 7, 2008 Author Share Posted September 7, 2008 Those blades look great, they are going to be an awesome set.I really like the second handle, the first one has me worried about the comfort of it... That point doesn't look like it's in the right place, IMO. It may be comfortable, but if it was me, and I'd never used the design, I'd make a quick mock-up out of cheap softwood to see how it feels. You may have already tested the pattern for ergonomics, and if it feels good... I say use the second handle for both, it has that classic canoe shape that looks good and is very functional. Actually I use that handle shape very often, it's very comfortable. However, I was intending to use the more common handle for both, those were just idea sketchs Thanks, Stephan President - Georgia Knifemakers Guild ABS Journeyman Smith "Wisdom and experience are built of bricks made from the mud of failure." - Mike Blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serge Panchenko Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Nice set Stephan, makes me want to make a set myself! I really want to see them finished. SERGEKNIVES.COM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew McKenzie Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Looking awesome, Stephen. Did you make your own filing jig, or did you buy that somewhere, and if so, where? MacGyver is my patron saint. "There's nothing in the universe cold steel won't cut." -Conan of Cimmeria- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanfowler Posted September 8, 2008 Author Share Posted September 8, 2008 Both blades polished now, I really like the Hamon on the bowie, turned out great Paper towel and masking tape to keep the blade safe Guard stock scribed and center punched for drilling holes. There we go, a fairly decent fit Now cut the guards off of the parent bar and start shaping To get this Now I go to my very very high tech lapping machine to flatten the faces.... A little JB Weld in the joint Klean up that squeeze out with some goof off President - Georgia Knifemakers Guild ABS Journeyman Smith "Wisdom and experience are built of bricks made from the mud of failure." - Mike Blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ouellette Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Lookin' good Stephan. I can't wait to see them all finished up. Bob O "When I raise my flashing sword, and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance upon mine enemies, and I will repay those who haze me. Oh, Lord, raise me to Thy right hand and count me among Thy saints." My Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristopher Skelton Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 How much was that lapping machine and where'd you get it?! Great step-by-step. I can't wait to see the finished pieces. Kristopher Skelton, M.A. "There was never a good knife made from bad steel" A quiet person will perish ~ Basotho Proverb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFogg Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Good step by step. Thanks Stephan. Don Fogg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanfowler Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 certainly my pleasure, I have a bunch more pictures if anyone has questions about a certain step. Stephan (no pictures today, had house guests over last night) President - Georgia Knifemakers Guild ABS Journeyman Smith "Wisdom and experience are built of bricks made from the mud of failure." - Mike Blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Excellent description of the process, dude! One question: I have that same model of lapping machine, and sometimes I have noticed it likes to take a bite off the end of a finger if used hard. Do you ever run into that problem? Last guard I did bit a little chunk off because the edges of the slot got so sharp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanfowler Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 Excellent description of the process, dude! One question: I have that same model of lapping machine, and sometimes I have noticed it likes to take a bite off the end of a finger if used hard. Do you ever run into that problem? Last guard I did bit a little chunk off because the edges of the slot got so sharp. I wrap a rare earth magnet with a piece of tape for a handle and use that, it'll really wear out your fingers working the piece directly. Stephan President - Georgia Knifemakers Guild ABS Journeyman Smith "Wisdom and experience are built of bricks made from the mud of failure." - Mike Blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Hmmm... Well, I never claimed to be smart, just smart-a$$ed. (smacks self upside the head) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau Erwin Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 In regards to the lapping machine, I had something shown to me just the other day that I may just have to get. Apparently Uncle Al is now making a bowie polishing/sanding holder. I'm not seeing it on the site, but Brion Tomberlin had one he showed me the other day. The aluminum body has one peg milled onto it. The adjustable bit in side it has another, so you put the two pegs inside the slot, tighten the screw and it'll hold it giving you more to hold onto. Think he said he had them at one of the shows for 25$ Beau Erwin www.ErwinKnives.com Custom knives Bcarta Composites Stabilized Woods Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau Erwin Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 On another note, a granite slab piece and stick down sandpaper works well, or spray adhesive on the paper =P Beau Erwin www.ErwinKnives.com Custom knives Bcarta Composites Stabilized Woods Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanfowler Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 On another note, a granite slab piece and stick down sandpaper works well, or spray adhesive on the paper =P Mine is the sink cutout from a friend's granite counter tops works fine President - Georgia Knifemakers Guild ABS Journeyman Smith "Wisdom and experience are built of bricks made from the mud of failure." - Mike Blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanfowler Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Rockin right along, ready to do some handles on these bad boys. Get our block of Micarta slotted out to accept the tang Make sure the face of the Micarta block matches with the guard Layout our pieces of spacer material I drill holes for the slot and connect them with a razor knife Check everything again Fill the slot with epoxy (not "full" but mostly, the idea is for most of it to squeeze out leaving the tang fully bedded in epoxy) then stack our spacer material with epoxy in between each layer. Here we are all glued up and ready to start shaping Rough shape pretty well done This will be the last of this series of WIP shots, I will have finished photos of the knives and sheaths up with the for-sale thread soon. President - Georgia Knifemakers Guild ABS Journeyman Smith "Wisdom and experience are built of bricks made from the mud of failure." - Mike Blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanfowler Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 (edited) Bowie: Steel: 1095 Thickness: Distal Tapered 3/16 In Blade: 9 In O/A: 14 3/8 In Grind: Flat grind Convex edge Finish: Hand rubbed with awesome Hamon Handle: Black Canvas Micarta with Red and Black spacers, 416 Stainless Steel guard Sheath: Leather pouch Hunter: Steel: 1095 Thickness: Distal Tapered 3/16 In Blade: 4 In O/A: 9 1/8 In Grind: Flat grind Convex edge Finish: Hand rubbed with awesome Hamon Handle: Black Canvas Micarta with Red and Black spacers, 416 Stainless Steel guard Sheath: Leather pouch Edited September 12, 2008 by stephanfowler President - Georgia Knifemakers Guild ABS Journeyman Smith "Wisdom and experience are built of bricks made from the mud of failure." - Mike Blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau Erwin Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Those turned out great =] What'd you use to do the slot in the micarta? One of those broaches? Beau Erwin www.ErwinKnives.com Custom knives Bcarta Composites Stabilized Woods Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanfowler Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 Those turned out great =] What'd you use to do the slot in the micarta? One of those broaches? Yep, drilled and I made myself a broach out of W1 drill rod, I'll try and get a picture tonight but it'll be later. I'm going to my sister in law's HS' football game President - Georgia Knifemakers Guild ABS Journeyman Smith "Wisdom and experience are built of bricks made from the mud of failure." - Mike Blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJDForge Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I thought you were gonna get pictures! Matthew DempseyArchangel Bladesarchangel.knives@gmail.comIronworkCustom Knives https://www.facebook.com/archangel.blades Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEzell Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Stephen, those turned out great! I take back what I said about the handle, it looks much more comfortable in 3d. Beautiful finish, the hamons look perfect, great choice of materials. George Ezell, bladesmith" How much useful knowledge is lost by the scattered forms in which it is ushered to the world! How many solitary students spend half their lives in making discoveries which had been perfected a century before their time, for want of a condensed exhibition of what is known."Buffonview some of my work RelicForge on facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stick Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 hey thanks for the step by step! really helpfull to see how the forging was done! I need to get some of that 1095.. I too would like to know what you used to slot the micarta... whatever it was would really be helpfull!! lol beautiful knives! great tutorial! thanks very much for sharing stick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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