Branick Hess Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I've been lurking in the forums for a while and admiring the incredible works of art, I decided it's time I posted something of my own I am always open to criticism so feel free . This Is my 5th knife and my first try at Damascus. It is low layer 30 or so, raindrop pattern 1095 and 15n20. After many hours of hard work and blisters I got it flat... Forged/ground to shape Flat ground to 120then looooots of hand sanding to 800 Quick etch to check the pattern And that is where I'm at. Currently trying to decide on handle material and I would love some feedback, but I was thinking birds eye maple maybe dyed, I think the spots would match the Damascus really well. Thank you for checking out my post more to come soon! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles dP Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Well done there Branick. Looking good so far. Personally I would use something with less grain/pattern for the handle so as to not to overwhelm the piece. Sometimes less is more. One thing I would mention is to be careful with leaving the tip proud of your work-rest when sanding. One maker (some time ago, I forget who), turned right into his work and got stabbed in the chest. "The way we win matters" (Ender Wiggins) Orson Scott Card Nos qui libertate donati nescimus quid constat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Abbott Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Good work. So, did you drill holes for the pattern? How thick was the billet, what size bit, and how deep? Look forward to seeing it finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Wilcox Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Looks nice so far, nice work. IMO, that knife is begging for some stainless bolsters and ebony wood handle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branick Hess Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 2 hours ago, Charles du Preez said: Well done there Branick. Looking good so far. Personally I would use something with less grain/pattern for the handle so as to not to overwhelm the piece. Sometimes less is more. One thing I would mention is to be careful with leaving the tip proud of your work-rest when sanding. One maker (some time ago, I forget who), turned right into his work and got stabbed in the chest. Thank you for the info about the knife sticking out I never thought about that! As far as the handle I will go with something more subtle. Thank you again for the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branick Hess Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 2 hours ago, Don Abbott said: Good work. So, did you drill holes for the pattern? How thick was the billet, what size bit, and how deep? Look forward to seeing it finished. Yes I drilled the holes. The billet was a little thicker than 1/4 inch, the bit I used was also 1/4 inch. And as for the depth I never really checked I just kind of used my eye, just made sure I wasn't going too deep so I didnt punch through when I drilled the other side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branick Hess Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 1 hour ago, Will W. said: Looks nice so far, nice work. IMO, that knife is begging for some stainless bolsters and ebony wood handle. Thank you for the kind words and input maybe I'll go with some bog oak i have heard ebony can be hard to work with but maybe I heard wrong haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifford Brewer Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 (edited) Damn nice for a first try at damascus................. My first was a complete disaster, and haven't tried since... Edited March 13, 2018 by Clifford Brewer 1 If ya can't be good don't git caught !! People who say stuff can't be done need to git the hell outta the way of people who do stuff !!! Show me a man who is called an expert by his peers And I will show you a good man to listen to ...... Show me a man who calls himself an expert and I will show you an egotistical asshole...............!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeb Camper Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Young Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Nice work man!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joël Mercier Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Impressive! I can't picture myself pattern welding anytime soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t cudworth Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 That looks very dramatic! The low count looks beautiful! I agree, dark handle with ss pins.... Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branick Hess Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 Thanks everyone for the comments! I really appreciate it. I ordered some stainless steel, ebony, and some bog oak not sure which I'll use for the handle I havent worked with either material. It should be here next Monday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kreg Whitehead Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Nice blade....I personally prefer the lower layer stuff. I have heard on here that ebony had tendency to check/crack. No personal experience with it....just heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Wilcox Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Ive never had any ebony crack on me, ive only used it a handful of times though. It works alright, definitely harder than some woods, but it gives a beautiful finish when sanded down to 400 grit and buffed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEzell Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 I have had ebony crack (2 months after the knife was finished) and it's heartbreaking. I personally don't use it unless it's stabilized, and only a few people will even try stabilizing it so I use a lot of African blackwood instead.... That said, it is a beautiful wood and a joy to work with, and I know a few knifemakers who use it on a regular basis and don't seem to have any problems with it. That's a lovely blade. 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...
Branick Hess Posted March 21, 2018 Author Share Posted March 21, 2018 Hey guys the knife is finished I changed some designs only because this knife will now be my mom's I've had this piece of purple box elder that she loves, so had to use that instead of the ebony or bog wood but that just means handles for another project . Thank you everyone for the tips and amazing comments I appreciate you taking out the time. Anyway here she is and sorry for the bad quality it is phone pics. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vern Wimmer Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Very nice. A lot of determination went into it, it shows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joël Mercier Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 I love it! The bolster is original. Nice touch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branick Hess Posted March 22, 2018 Author Share Posted March 22, 2018 Thank you guys! The bolster is nice but I learned by having that shape it makes the handle look smaller and the blade look bigger so next time I'll have to shorten the blade with that bolster to make it look more proportionate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vern Wimmer Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 You have a great looking blade and it needs a certain size to show it off. Why not make the blade that the steel tells you it wants to be and adjust the furniture to suit the blade? Just my stupid opinion but when I see a blade that stunning I don't really like the rest of it competing for my attention. It should subtly compliment it instead. Just one guy's .02. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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