Mike Johnston 8 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I finally have something worth posting after all this time The blade is hand forged from a spring tooth harrow spring that spark tests and hardens like 1095. Three normalizing cycles and quenching in 130 degree canola oil gives a VERY fine grain structure. With a "clay back" of Rutlands, the blade came out completely straight. The hamon started showing up with 120 grit belt sanding and after 2000 grit hand sanding and six short FeCl etches it was popping nicely. The handle is African Blackwood with blackwood and copper spacers with a 1/4" copper pressure fit guard Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Johnston 8 Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 Forgot to add the blade is 11" and OAL is 16.5" Link to post Share on other sites
JJ Simon 127 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I really like it. Very nice package. Clean, crisp and elegant. Link to post Share on other sites
GEzell 142 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Clean, crisp and elegant. Absolutely, that turned out wonderful... the blackwood and copper go well together, and I love the shape. 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 post Share on other sites
Mike Johnston 8 Posted September 5, 2013 Author Share Posted September 5, 2013 I thought about posting this on the for sale area, but I already sold! I guess I need to start on something new. Link to post Share on other sites
jeremy spake 1 Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 wow, that looks GREAT! - jeremy spake - spakeknife.com - instagram.com/jspake Link to post Share on other sites
Hoy's Forge 28 Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Nicely done ! I love using junk to make knives. Trash to treasure. I really like that guard too. www.hoyfamily.net Isa 54:16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.Lu 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. Mr 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Link to post Share on other sites
Miles Hebbard 2 Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Nice clean lines! Really pretty. To become old and wise... You first have to survive being young and foolish! Ikisu.blogsot.com. Email; milesikisu@gmail.com mobile: +27784653651 Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Pauley 0 Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 That's gorgeous. Link to post Share on other sites
Gus 0 Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 That is a truly stunning piece! I wish I am good in forging like you. Keep up the awesome work! Trajan 150 porta band saw Hammers, Chisels Anvils, Tongs. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Johnston 8 Posted September 5, 2013 Author Share Posted September 5, 2013 Thank you all for the kind words. Gus, After 6 years I still keep the first knife like object hung up in my shop to remind me where I started. I read this forum to remind me where I want to go. LOTS OF HAMMER TIME! Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Toneguzzo 839 Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 That sure is worth posting. Great work "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to post Share on other sites
James Scott 0 Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 Great Bowie, the whole package is beautiful. James Link to post Share on other sites
Krateros 11 Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 amazing work!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Kemp 3 Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 "elegant" is right! What a great piece of work. Glad I saw the blade before it was hafted - sorry I missed seeing the finished piece in person but I'm betting there's more great work coming down the pike! Michael KempOld and Twitless Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Johnston 8 Posted September 18, 2013 Author Share Posted September 18, 2013 This took a little while, but I finally completed the sheath. Copper cone and throat with a forged copper stud. The body of the sheath is black lamb skin over a wooden liner. Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Longmire 3,673 Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Whoa... Nice work, Mike! I've never been able to get the top of the cone to come out even. Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Colwell 170 Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 that is good stuff! I like the knife and the sheath. I am a sucker for copper. please visit my website http://www.professorsforge.com/ “Years ago I recognized my kinship with all living things, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on the earth. I said then and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.” E. V. Debs Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Johnston 8 Posted September 18, 2013 Author Share Posted September 18, 2013 Alan, I remembered a "trick" that was demonstrated at a Northwest Blacksmithing conference some time ago. The demonstrator was using scrolling tongs he had made with long round jaws. As I had already thrown away cone attempt #1, I thought I would give them a try. Harbor Freight carries 11" long needle nose pliers, so about 10 minutes on my belt grinder and I had a pair of round jawed scrolling pliers. I took photos of the whole sheath building process. If you think it would be worth while I could post them and the explanation in the sheaths and leatherwork section. Kevin, I also am in love with copper. It's easy to work with and has a warmth like no other metal (that I can afford). Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Longmire 3,673 Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Oh yes, please! And thanks in advance! Link to post Share on other sites
Teemu Maenpaa 0 Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 This might be pretty stupid guestion but how the heck do you guys make the copper stay so bright. When I'm working with it all I need to do is glance away and it turns into statue of liberty. Colorwise, the shape usually stays as it was. Anyway, thats one stunningly beautiful knife. Absolutely one of my favourites on this site. The copper blackwood combo looks really good. Link to post Share on other sites
Kip Kaiser 2 Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 This might be pretty stupid guestion but how the heck do you guys make the copper stay so bright. When I'm working with it all I need to do is glance away and it turns into statue of liberty. Colorwise, the shape usually stays as it was. Anyway, thats one stunningly beautiful knife. Absolutely one of my favourites on this site. The copper blackwood combo looks really good. I've had best luck with car wax. Kip A man is no better than his word! Check out the web site @ www.thekaisercustomknives.com Link to post Share on other sites
Raymond Richard 81 Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 Mike, You have come a long ways! Hope to see this piece at the Washington Show. My old friend Bruce Evans put this tutorial together several years ago: http://beknivessite2.homestead.com/nssheath.html Its not quite the samething but I feel a lot of the same technics could be used for the throat and tip. Do something like this for you next project. Raymond Richard www.hawknknives.com Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Johnston 8 Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share Posted September 19, 2013 Ray, it feels like a long ways. I found Bruce Evans tutorial during my search. I did use some of his techniques as well as some from other sources. I hope to convince the new owner to let me have visitation rights to bring her to the Kelso Show. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Johnston 8 Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 The last piece of the "puzzle". The "Frog" Link to post Share on other sites
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