Oberu Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 So I'm diving head long into creative liberty here but this one is for me.. first knife I've made for myself in over 15 years. This was "THE" knife that got me into making. So, 1075 and 22+" blade at this point. I ran out of propane so I haven't shouldered and drawn the tang out. I'm still working out the front portion and I'd like some input if you would. The blade is triagular in section and thickest at the break, tapering to both front and back. I've been recommended off of the handle construction I've shown here *bleakly*. Thank you for looking! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welsh joel Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 Why? I kinda like the lines and esthetic of it. The only thing I'd suggest is maybe a bit larger guard to keep hands from slipping up on blade? I like it as is. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Keyes Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 Most of the Langseax I have seen have little or no guard to speak of. The handles tend to be long (to my eye), maybe twice as long as what you have in the picture. I am not an expert in the style, but there are several folks who post here who know a great deal. Hopefully one of them will weigh in, Langseax 1 "The worst day smithing is better than the best day working for someone else." I said that. If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly. - - -G. K. Chesterton So, just for the record: the fact that it does work still should not be taken as definitive proof that you are not crazy. Grant Sarver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 Yes, those never have anything like a guard. Sometimes a ferrule or plate, but that's it. If you want historical accuracy, very long plain handle with no pommel. There is at least one with a plate and peen block, but most are just set in resin. If you want cool looks, it's yours, do what you want! We have tons of info in the History subforum. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua States Posted April 10 Share Posted April 10 On 4/5/2022 at 5:46 PM, Oberu said: I'm diving head long into creative liberty Now that we have that firmly established, we know what the parameters are You haven't told us what the parts in the drawing represent, but it looks like you plan for a 5-piece handle: bolster plate, three pieces of organic material, and an end cap. We also do not know what the intended length of the handle is or how it compares proportionally to the blade (the piece of paper in the photo covers the blade tip) I'm no expert, but here is what I can tell you based upon my limited research At 56+ cm blade length, this is definitely into the langsax typology. The metal parts on the handle while atypical, are not enough to make this non-historical construction. It's just a rarity rather than commonplace, and they were usually constructed as ferrules at the front, rather than plates. As Alan mentioned, there is a lot of info available in the History Forum. Specifically, two threads: Langsax Research, and Yet another freakin' seax topic. Sadly, most of the links to documents no longer work, and some of the photos have expired, but the posts still contain valuable info. If you would like to do some reading on the historical finds, send me a PM and I will dig through my electronic library and forward some stuff your way. If you are on FaceBook, there is a group called The Seax Files and they have a pretty extensive library of their own (some of the docs are languages other than English). In the meantime, please tell us a little more about the design ideas you have for this piece. It looks like a fine project. “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...
Oberu Posted April 13 Author Share Posted April 13 (edited) @Mr. States. I apologize for neglecting my descriptions. So the tang will be through and epoxy/peened over a block. The handle will be 9” long and I’ve found a rather attractive piece of walnut that I’ll most likely use instead of the bone and oak I sketched up. Im planning to make a ferrule like cap for the front and back of the handle, probably silver. Thank you for the advice on the “seax files” of which I’ve been a member for a while now and I’ve also picked their brains a bit. I’ve been sketching ideas for a motif and I’ll post more after I pull the trigger on an idea. Edited April 14 by Oberu 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Looks like a nice plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oberu Posted April 14 Author Share Posted April 14 I do believe I can work with that! IMG_0953.MOV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua States Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 @Mr. Oberu.....apologies are not necessary That is a very nice piece of walnut and the carving plan is going to look great too. Time for me to click the Follow button and watch this one through the process! “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...
Oberu Posted April 15 Author Share Posted April 15 Well took advantage of a day off and draw filed things fairly flat and drew my tang out. Whew cardio.. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pieter-Paul Derks Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 Nice shape, that is a lovely big piece of walnut. http://mefecit.nl/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oberu Posted April 18 Author Share Posted April 18 Thank you, it is a rather interesting piece of walnut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oberu Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 Ok, I think I’m getting somewhere. It’s odd but I dig it. Sharpie lines are profile changes, fuller location, and the center line of the handle to the tip.. and a few errant hammer marks I haven’t quite vanquished. Too odd you think? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 Not odd at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oberu Posted April 22 Author Share Posted April 22 (edited) Well I got everything flat and profiled using some feedback. Got fullers started and wow I really need to invest in a belt grinder.. Edited April 22 by Oberu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua States Posted April 23 Share Posted April 23 Is that a Kentish notch I see? “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...
Oberu Posted April 23 Author Share Posted April 23 I’m ignorant on this term. All I know is I saw something that inspired this weird project many years ago… funny how things morph with time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles dP Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 It’s that little step down from the back heading to the tip. Looking good. 1 "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...
Oberu Posted May 14 Author Share Posted May 14 Covid sucks.. just getting back in the shop after being sick as a dog for 7days. So I’ve got the handle shaped enough for the next steps. Constructive criticism is always welcomed! IMG_1009.MOV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruno Posted May 14 Share Posted May 14 I like it. Think you are heading in just the right direction. Orange juice, Sunlight, Exercise and shear stubbornness makes the covids docile. At least that helps me every time I catch a bug... or the bug, depends on where you're from seemingly Keep on Keeping on... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oberu Posted May 14 Author Share Posted May 14 One of two laid in.. here’s to being cross eyed! IMG_1013.MOV 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted May 14 Share Posted May 14 Looking good so far! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oberu Posted May 15 Author Share Posted May 15 So to some you gurus.. what would be an ideal point of balance? It’s fat now before heat treatment and 1 lb 8 oz. This will help me figure out how to make my furniture to compensate. Thanks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 That looks like a good balance right now. It should feel like it wants to chop, but be nimble enough to not be point-heavy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oberu Posted June 4 Author Share Posted June 4 Well that’s done.. for now.. IMG_1068.MOV 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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