Mark_Bartlett Posted May 29, 2017 Author Share Posted May 29, 2017 Now with the pins not being structural, because I like to be able to remove pieces right till the last time it goes together, I opted to go with something that I've seen from John White, and more recently Veronique Laurent and Jean-Louis Regal. Pin the ends... Some people don't agree with this and that's fine. I wasn't fond of the idea myself either. But with the tight tolerance of the guide pins (going back to the start where I brought up the necessity for good bits and accurate pin stock) the scales have to be pried off the frame as it is. So I no longer see as much of an issue with this. I drilled 3 of the 5 spacers so that the dowels would butt against the #2 spacer and leave plenty sticking into the scales. Then put the spacers back on the handle and drilled the holes into the ivory. I used the Grobet handpiece with a 1/16" bit because The hand piece can run considerably slower than my drill press with the foot control that allows me to stop it without fumbling for a switch if something goes wrong. Then something similar for the end cap under the finial except for that part I made a sacrificial plate that I used to transfer the holes perfectly to both the butt and the cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_Bartlett Posted May 29, 2017 Author Share Posted May 29, 2017 And lastly, heres the final image for a while. I've got a half ton of cleanup and some other stuff to work through before this is finished. And while it's whole, it's assembled, and it's sharp, it's far from done. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_Bartlett Posted June 4, 2017 Author Share Posted June 4, 2017 Since the etching process is straight out of Nick Wheelers world famous WIP, I'll not bother with pics of the blade going in and out. The bluing process is another step that I'll do a separate post on because quite frankly while the info is available, it can be hard to find without ending up on an FBI watch list. So for now, I'll leave you with the all-but-finished pic of my first dogbone dagger and we'll wrap this up. Thanks for all the kind words through this project. The encouragement means a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_Bartlett Posted June 4, 2017 Author Share Posted June 4, 2017 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Detrick Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Good god man, I am super impressed. I know you were talking about being novice knifemaker, but the quality of your work says exactly the opposite. There are many many people that have been making knife a long time that can't manage this. Exquisite work. And I very much looking forward to your bluing WIP. I love bluing. 1 “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." -Albert Camus http://www.krakenforge.net/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collin Miller Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 I don't know how I managed to miss this thread until now, but I went back and read the whole thing. Your attention to detail and standard of quality is inspiring. You may consider yourself a beginner, but the quality of your work says otherwise. Outstanding WIP, thank you for taking the time to photograph and share your process with us. “If you trust in yourself. . . believe in your dreams. . . and follow your star. . . you will still get beaten by the people who have spent their time working hard and learning things, the people who weren't so lazy.” ~ Terry Pratchett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Colwell Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 thanks for sharing. This is an awesome build (3 years or 10 years or whatever). Files... files are, "where it's at." I love them, and I am always wishing that I could get by with forging, soldering/brazing, and filing. You and I are alike in the love of files, and in the fact that pictures help to reveal things that would otherwise be missed. I will always look at pics before I consider a piece finished. The one time I did not, I had the pommel of a sword misaligned. Damn it. So, pics before shipping. The people here are great, and so is your work! 1 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 comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Pierce Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Mark this dagger is beautiful. Your attention to detail is inspiring, as a novice it will keep me from saying a knife is okay, I'll do better next time and fix the issues. Thanks for the wonderful WIP. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dougherty Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 I've enjoyed this build, and thank you for sharing it! Fabulous work -Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Simon Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 stunning!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salem Straub Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 Nice job, the blued fittings and etched blade at the end just make it POP! And the blade is elegant and stabby... not clunky. 1 Please come and waste some otherwise perfectly good time, looking at my knives! www.prometheanknives.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_Bartlett Posted June 11, 2017 Author Share Posted June 11, 2017 Thank you everyone. This was a definite learning experience. On 6/10/2017 at 3:15 AM, Salem Straub said: Nice job, the blued fittings and etched blade at the end just make it POP! And the blade is elegant and stabby... not clunky. Salem, Thank you. That stabby part was something that I've always liked. Like Cashen, not so fond of the blades that stay full width till they're 2" from the tip. Daggers need to push through stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Stephens Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 Fantastic! Thanks so much for the detailed WIP. This is what this forum is all about! Cheers! Dave 1 -----------------------------------------------"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly." -- Theodore Roosevelthttp://stephensforge.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua States Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Just trying to catch up on all these threads I've been following. Incredible work Mark, Well done in every way imaginable. “So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.” The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing. Josh http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg J.States Bladesmith | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71 https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Nowacki Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 This is quite frankly a superb piece of work and a thread that I am for one very grateful has been pinned, what a mine of information. Thank you very much. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will52100 Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Amazing work, enjoyed following it's progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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