2nd post and haven't posted in a long time

[Matthew Shead]

So I haven't posted in quite a while but have been doing a lot, learning a lot, and gaining all I can from what i see posted on this forum.

The last time I posted I believe was showing off some meager first attempts at blade smithing and was given a lot of very helpful wisdom from a lot of you of which I am very grateful. I've been quite busy and haven't quite found the time to give updates on all of my doings but thought I'd like to share some of my work since I've been working a lot to get better since I last posted. All of the things I've been up to isn't necessarily blade work but is close enough. However I just finished my first knife from start to finish successfully (having had a difficult time with heat treating and not a lot of time to experiment with it a lot until recently). Also I'm working on my second knife which is in the process of getting all of the fittings assembled. Needless to say, I'm excited and glad to have that under my belt. Without paining you all with details I've had issues with heat treating a lot and haven't even gotten to the "fit and finish" stage until recently and I'm glad to have made it.

 

These are a few non-blade objects I've done. The first pictures are damascus Mjolnir pendants I've made. I shared one I made in my first post and I feel like I've honed them to a slightly finer piece than what I first did.

 

Also have been fiddling around with damascus rings. The first one is the first I made and is my wedding band. the others are for friends and posted in chronological order.

This is the most recent one I've finished.

 

This is my first completed knife. 6" Chef 11" overall from 1084. Not exactly sure what wood is on the handle but the fittings are copper. Not the most perfect thing in the world but glad to have one under my belt. Only thing left is to put the edge one it which I will be doing very soon.

 

And this will be my second once its all fitted and finished...

 

Thanks for your time and would welcome any critiques, help and wisdom. I have a lot of respect for a lot of guys on this forum and have yielded to a lot of wisdom and gained much inspiration and insight into this craft from you all!

 

Matthew Shead

Edited September 2, 2015 by Matthew Shead

[Emiliano Carrillo]

Man that's a good bit of progress for sure

 

Those rings are really beautiful, and the pattern and finish on those mjolnir pendants are fantastic, I really like the use of patterning. The chefs knife seems like it would be comfortable to hold and use, and the pattern on the smaller knife is great too!

 

I don't really have anything to say in terms of criticism, it's pretty clear you know what you're doing!

 

As far as heat treating goes, it is definitely a learning process, what's your setup like now?

 

Again, really good work man! Those are some really clean pieces!

[S. Cruse]

I agree with Emiliano on that chefs knife, the choil and the curve makes me thing the balance would be amazing for vegetables and light meat work. fantastic design on the jewelry and i cant wait to see the finished second blade!

[Matthew Shead]

At long last I have finished that second blade and a third!

 

This one is 1095&15n20, with elk antler and wood handle (not sure what wood it is exactly).

 

This third knife is an 11" chef/slicer. Made this for a friend of our family. Blade is forged from a Nicholson file with a mystery wood handle and copper pins.

 

!

 

As always I welcome any critique, correction and encouragement you guys are willing to give. It's always helpful!!!

[Matthew Shead]

Man that's a good bit of progress for sure

 

Those rings are really beautiful, and the pattern and finish on those mjolnir pendants are fantastic, I really like the use of patterning. The chefs knife seems like it would be comfortable to hold and use, and the pattern on the smaller knife is great too!

 

I don't really have anything to say in terms of criticism, it's pretty clear you know what you're doing!

 

As far as heat treating goes, it is definitely a learning process, what's your setup like now?

 

Again, really good work man! Those are some really clean pieces!

My setup is meager to say the least. I'm heat treating by eye at the moment. I picked up a kiln the someone was going to throw out. After speaking to the guy I found out there was nothing wrong with it, he just never used it. Great find!! So I've just got to change a plug out and it'll be in business giving me a little more control over the temp the blades are getting to. And I have a tube of canola oil the I preheat to the appropriate temp with a thermometer in it that I quench in.

[Joshua States]

Well then. You are doing very nice work Matthew. Your Damascus looks great. Good clean welds from what I saw. Welcome to the most wonderful addiction anyone can have. Keep the fire burning.

[Dustin Stephens]

Are the Mjolnir's available for purchase?