jake cleland Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 This is what I've been working on for pretty much the last 3 months. It's probably the most difficult piece I've ever made, but I think I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out - it's not perfect, but honestly I think it might be my best work to date. It is based of a ballock dagger in the Smithsonian, though I took some liberties with the design. The blade is about 10 1/2" of 1095, clay hardened . It has quite a complex geometry, with the raised back edge and hollow ground 'flat', and has been given multiple etching cycles in FeCl for a deep French Grey look. The guard is forged and carved from 200 year old wrought iron, deeply etched and oil blued for a glossy black finish, and is framed by sculpted copper spacers (fitting those was no picnic...). The handle is made in three parts from a single red deer stag's antler, carved and pierced to show the twist forged tang within, and finished with shellac. The pommel is again wrought iron with copper accents, and the pommel nut is carbon steel sculpted into a dogwood flower and heat blued. The scabbard is built up from layers of magnolia veneer, lined with felt and covered in waxed lamb skin, with black deerskin trim and a cold forged copper chape and suspension ring for the belt loop, which holds a carved bone wrench for the pommel nut. The scabbard houses a by-knife and spike, both clay hardened, with oil blued mild steel guards and copper spacers, with carved bone handles. Anyway, pics: And here's the original: there's also dozens of in progress pics on my facebook -https://www.facebook.com/jake.cleland.14 - , as I was documenting it for the customer, anyway, let me know what you think... 5 Jake Cleland - Skye Knives www.knifemaker.co.uk "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Weller Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 I am sitting here trying to fathom the amount of work you put into this. Truly a powerful piece. Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Middleton Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 I'm trying to find words, and coming up with nothing. Absolutely incredible work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joël Mercier Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 What an exhilarating feeling to complete a personal best! Especially when it's an awesome piece like this . Thanks for sharing Jake! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dougherty Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 All I can say is "Wow!" -Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 36 minutes ago, Brian Dougherty said: All I can say is "Wow!" Oh, I can beat that... Jake, dude, I know what it took to do that, and even so I am floored. You've outdone the original, and that is not easy! You really leveled up on this one. I'm going to pin this so you'll stay on the front page for at least 90 days after the last comment, this needs to be seen by everyone who visits the forum. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conner Michaux Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 Wow indeed! Thats pretty amazing, And a complete step up from your already amazing work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifford Brewer Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 !!!!!!! 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...
JeffM Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 Amazing work. I'm fascinated with the detail levels that go into some of those old blades and the modern day recreations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake cleland Posted July 9, 2019 Author Share Posted July 9, 2019 Thanks guys. It's now on its way to its new home, but I took one more shot of the knife that shows the overall shape a bit clearer: 1 Jake Cleland - Skye Knives www.knifemaker.co.uk "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeb Camper Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 Awesome! Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua States Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 I watched this progress on FB as I got the updates. Stellar work Jake. “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...
Doug Lester Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Beyond fantastic. I love the way the handles of the buy knife and the pick form a medallion when they are lined up together in the sheath. Doug HELP...I'm a twenty year old trapped in the body of an old man!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Wilcox Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Sure is a lot going on there. Outstanding work, man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruno Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Awesome work Jake! Wow Indeed. Really like the see through handle with the twisted tang. Don't think I've seen anything like that before. Great Job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerhard Gerber Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 What can I say that hasn't been said Jake? Inspirational....like so much of the work here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsterling Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Absolutely sweet piece of work, Jake! Much respect. Tom Tom SterlingTom's Instagram Tom's FacebookSterling Sculptures Web Site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles dP Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Amen "The way we win matters" (Ender Wiggins) Orson Scott Card Nos, qui libertate donati sumus, nes cimus quid constet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeDT Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Holy mother of God, that is a truly astounding piece! The ballock dagger I have been working on and off for the past few months is laughable by comparison.... no, it can't even be compared, yours is a true master piece! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Oy! Wonderful!!!!! RIP Bear....be free! as always peace and love billyO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard van Dijk Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 That is a spectacular bit of work Jake, congrats. Richard Richard van Dijk My link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard A. (Woody) Hanson Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Stunning, excellent piece of work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Colwell Posted August 11, 2019 Share Posted August 11, 2019 Jake - I have always been inspired by your work. For years. This demonstrates that you are moving up in a serious way. Thanks for showing this to us! 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...
John Myshkoff Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 Truly a labor of love for the artistry we all aspire to. Such a beautifully crafted piece honors your knife making skill and dedication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Christenberry Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 What they all said!!!!! Absolutely beautiful piece. Chris www.chrischristenberry.com WHEW!!! If I could only know now what I "thought" I knew back then.................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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