My knives are getting smaller

[Bjorn Gylfason]

I made a pretty big billet of damascus ad I wanted to make a few blades out of it and this is the first one from that steel.

 

I kind of wanted to try out making smaller and simpler knives than I usually want to do, something more practical for the modern world I guess.

 

The blade is 45 layers and just about 11cm long and has full flat grinds as originally I was planning to make an even simpler migration era style handle. Copper bolster and butt plate and walnut handle.

 

Still thinking about what style of sheath I should make for it so won't sharpen it for now 

[Chris Christenberry]

Nice.  Clean.  Simple.  I like it.

[Chadd S.]

Very nice knife you made there. I always love copper accents, looks great.

[Doug Lester]

Nice looking everyday carry knife.  Often smaller knives are more useful than larger knives.

 

Doug

[Garry Keown]

Nice one Bjorn

 

[Bjorn Gylfason]

And just finished the handle on this one. I miscalculated a bit when cutting the big billet down for stacking and this one was made from an off cut so only has 15 layers.

 

I'm using the opportunity to experiment with handle shapes and even though bocote polishes up nicely my lack of photographing skill keep me from capturing the facets well.

 

Copper is of course included in the handle.

 

I think I'll finish one or two more from a twisted billet I made at the same time before making sheaths for the lot

[Gerhard Gerber]

I like the first....but I love the second one!

[Bjorn Gylfason]

While making the big billet I also attempted to make another one from two twisted bars that didn't work out as well as had hoped. Should have twisted them more and then the welding of the bars didn't take well so ended up having to grind deep into it to salvage what I could that ruined any semblance of a planned pattern. But did end up with enough material for a usable blade.

 

Was originally thinking about some kind of seax but after etching and not really liking the pattern I seem to be making a small bowie  I envy those who can lay out and plan a whole piece on paper before starting as I never have any clear idea what I'm doing but just make it up as I go

 

[Daniel W]

That second knife is .  And yes smaller knifes to me are so much more versatile.  Although I once carried an old timer knife that is considered long. 

 

I'm personally finding knives with shorter grips very handy.  Something that just sits in the crease of my palm and pinch gripped. But I'm weird.

[Bjorn Gylfason]

Changed my mind again with this one. I really like how olive wood looks but think I should have left out either the black spacer or copper

 

 

[Charles dP]

Personally I think you need the copper between the dark spacer And the dark blade as much as the dark spacer between the copper and the similar tone of the wood. A dark thin but cap or spacer near the end might balance the look a bit more. Or maybe a dark mosaic pin? 

[Doug Lester]

That one is really seaxy looking.  Good job.

 

Doug

[Bjorn Gylfason]

And from the rest I could salvage from the twisted billet I managed to pull out this carving knife. The handle is made from ebony, brass and smoked stabilized oak and as per the others was an experiment in shaping and finding out what is comfortable. Capturing the deep deep colours of the handle is obviously far out of my photographing skills 

[Doug Lester]

Oh wow!!

 

Doug

[Bjorn Gylfason]

Now I really should get back to monosteel and swords but this damascus thing is a bit fun 

 

Two small blades from the 45 layer billet, upper one will become a petty in hopefully a whole kitchen set while the lower was twisted a bit and will be a small hunter.

 

Then I got the idea that I wanted to try making san mai. It was actually quite a bit more challenging than the damascus as there was much less mass to retain heat and beat on. Keeping the core centered was a new and interesting challenge that was overall a success.

 

 

[billyO]

Those look great. 

17 hours ago, Bjorn Gylfason said:

this damascus thing is a bit fun 

 

This is the only reason I make knives.  I'd rather be forging gates.

Welcome to the addiction.

Edited August 22, 2020 by billyO

[Bjorn Gylfason]

Oh I would love to get some real blacksmithing projects like gates but there doesn't seem to be a huge market around here for fancy stuff 

 

Put a handle on this one and I like the overall look of it. Never tried a rough brute de forge look before. Buuuut the last picture shows that it might really be a good idea to complete a design before beginning and adhering to it 

 

The angle of the handle flows with the spine but ends up being too low and close to the table. Should have left the heel 3-4mm higher or shaped the spine and tang to angle more away from the edge. Oh well, live and learn

[billyO]

2 hours ago, Bjorn Gylfason said:

Oh I would love to get some real blacksmithing projects like gates but there doesn't seem to be a huge market around here for fancy stuff

Same here.  But I, either fortunately or unfortunately, live in a part of the country that's well populated with professional, traditional or 'artist' blacksmiths.

[billyO]

2 hours ago, Bjorn Gylfason said:

The angle of the handle flows with the spine but ends up being too low and close to the table. Should have left the heel 3-4mm higher or shaped the spine and tang to angle more away from the edge.

 

Not that you asked, but if you want to, you could re-grind the edge a bit, taking material off towards the tip which would raise the knuckles.  Make sure this won't put the wrist in a bad angle, however.

Edited August 22, 2020 by billyO

[Bjorn Gylfason]

4 hours ago, billyO said:

 

Not that you asked, but if you want to, you could re-grind the edge a bit, taking material off towards the tip which would raise the knuckles.  Make sure this won't put the wrist in a bad angle, however.

 

 

yes I could definently do that, only worried about how it will affect the outer portion of the san mai.

 

Sharpened it and going to try it out a little bit first and see how it feels but will othervise try to reprofile it like tha

 

Update: sharpened it, tried it, hated it.

 

Decided it would be better to ruin a blade than have one that sucks to use so went back to the grinder.

 

Reprofiled and thinned it quite a lot as well and used the opportunity to try out a trizac belt I bought this week and what have I need doing with my life? It's so so much better than any of my old cheap belts to a point that now I can consider not spending hours handsanding blades that don't need that look.

 

And now to etch it again with the handle on 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 22, 2020 by Bjorn Gylfason

[Bjorn Gylfason]

I just can't get myself around to start on sheaths yet.. I really need to and the practice is good but it's just no fun.

 

So I put a handle on another one instead.

 

I've never used cocobolo before but I get now why people like using it, nice deep colours.

 

The blade as before made from my big 45 layer billet but twisted to give it a little flair

 

 

 

 

[Bjorn Gylfason]

Finally got around to sitting down and try to make sheaths. I have no doubt that leatherwork can be pleasurable once you get the hang of it but I'm still far from proficient