Alveprins Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 Hi everyone... I've currently put down 34 hours into a project I've started - which I hope to have ready at this time next year. It has been a while since I've done a WIP thread, so I thought I might start one, and update it every once in a while. I don't want to give away the theme of the knife just yet, but as we progress I suppose it will become increasingly apparent... Anyhow, here's a couple of pics to get started: Now, this will be the first time I sculpt something remotely resembling a living beeing. The above image is my first test-plate. I have since made some adjustments and corrections, and will continue working on the next test-plate today. I've watched an instructional video by Sam Alfano on deep relief sculpting, but that has been based on sculpting acanthus leafs, so this is a bit different taking into consideration that certain parts of the face are higher in terms of topography than others. Unfortunately I've yet to find any instructional videos on sculpting relief figures such as this one. the only videos relevant are those of wood carving, and marble carving - since in both instances we remove material without being able to add new (as in wax or clay carving). Anyhow, I wish you all a wonderful week! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alveprins Posted June 13 Author Share Posted June 13 Ok, here is attempt number two! To the left - first attempt. To the right - second attempt. I tried not to be afraid to remove material on the 2nd try, and hollowed the cheeks a bit. I suppose I might improve the nostril a bit, making it less sharp, as well as improving the ear a bit. I should have let the earlobe fade out near the jawbone but.. this is what happens when you stare yourself blind through the microscope... Anyhow, enough test-plates now... the next one will have to go straight on the knife, with no room for error.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua States Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 Following. The image is hauntingly familiar. Almost like something out of an ancient memory from another life in Sumaria or Babylon. 1 “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...
Dick Sexstone Posted June 16 Share Posted June 16 Nice, big improvement in each one you've done..... I think you should do a couple more practices before committing to your new project .....you are shooting for the moon in your quest for top shelf stuff.....I think the neck in last example looks flat in comparison to the face ..... I am being picky I know .... trying to push you to what you are capable of I think 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Colwell Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 good for you, for pushing yourself. I am enjoying watching your progress. Thanks for sharing it here. I don't have any useful advice, except for supporting the idea of pushing beyond what are your current limits. 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...
Alveprins Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 On 6/16/2023 at 3:02 PM, Dick Sexstone said: I think you should do a couple more practices before committing to your new project ..... I will make an improvement to the existing one and see how it turns out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alveprins Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 (edited) I've been working on another test-plate for an engraving that will go directly on the blade. This is side A - a viking longboat - here in copper. On the blade it will be gold and copper. I decided to sculpt the individual planks and shape them as they would be on a klinker-buildt longboat. The trick is making it looks nice - which is currently my biggest concern. I will let it mature in my mind while I continue with other test plates... Edited July 1 by Alveprins 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alveprins Posted July 2 Author Share Posted July 2 Here's another test-plate.. finished yesterday. I find these non-organic shapes more difficult... Keeping those lines clean is really hard when sculpting at different levels. I wanted to test whether or not I could hide 3 bronze pins beneath some diamonds, and it appears I can. These diamonds are fake though, factory made - and for testing purposes only. the figure is sculpted on three different height levels. I think I might need to lower the arm a bit so that is is even closer to the background... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted July 2 Share Posted July 2 I thought that last test piece looked like a longship travelling through a wormhole... This is going to be a very interesting project when complete. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Gastellu Posted July 3 Share Posted July 3 I absolutely love seeing those test plates and following your progress sculpting those complex designs. Thank you for sharing your journey! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alveprins Posted July 26 Author Share Posted July 26 Here's a little peek at a test-assembly I did yesterday: The screws are temporary just to keep things in place. there will be bronze pins going through all of those holes. Now I need to put an edge on the blade while it can still be clamped in a knife sharpening jig without damaging any engravings, then I will proceed to engraving outlines of designs that will go on the blade... It is a step-by-step process. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Stephens Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Looks great. Love the dedication. Thanks for sharing! 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...
Alveprins Posted August 1 Author Share Posted August 1 Hi everyone, I just started engraving and doing inlay on side A of the blade. finished inlay of gold and copper in the longboat, and currently doing inlay of the lettering. I think this is the smallest inlay I've done to date... Have a nice week everyone! :) 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Stephens Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 Wow! That looks fantastic! 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...
Alveprins Posted August 6 Author Share Posted August 6 (edited) Alright, some progress... Managed to finish up all the outlines, as well as the border on side A: I think I need to outline the mathematical formula as well, but it is so small I am worried I'll F it up... I suppose I'll re-sharpen my graver point to a very small one and do it carefully. The planks on the boat need to be sculpted, but this will be done after I finish side B - which is completely blank. I also decided to re-do the edge.. There was originally a secondary bevel, however the angle was too blunt to produce a sharp edge - so I brought it down as much as I could. I think I might just run out of gold on this one.. Time to order more.. Edited August 6 by Alveprins 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 I'd comment, but I can't type around my jaw on the floor... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Lara Posted August 7 Share Posted August 7 (edited) Looks gorgeous! The engraving is top notch! Edited August 7 by Carlos Lara 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua States Posted August 7 Share Posted August 7 just wow 1 “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...
Dick Sexstone Posted August 7 Share Posted August 7 I like the shot of the gold wire being dimpled into the slot.......thanks The inlay for the formula came out nice.......this is fun watching... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alveprins Posted August 7 Author Share Posted August 7 Just finished outlining the mathematical formula... I was surprised it took 1h 37 minutes... Super tiny lines tho.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Estlund Posted August 8 Share Posted August 8 Fun to watch. Are you tapping, or using a pneumatic? 1 Eric Estlund WinterCutlery.com IG @wintercutlery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alveprins Posted August 8 Author Share Posted August 8 2 hours ago, Eric Estlund said: Fun to watch. Are you tapping, or using a pneumatic? Lindsay Airgraver. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Benson Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 I wish I could like this more than once. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 53 minutes ago, Ron Benson said: I wish I could like this more than once. Truly.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pieter-Paul Derks Posted August 25 Share Posted August 25 So good!, I'm really envious of your ability to stick with a project after so many hours. I get really fed up with a project once I get around 40 hours in and find it hard to finish after. 1 http://mefecit.nl/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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