posted
I got a bit motivated this morning and decided to see what I could do with a bit of steel cable I had in the shed and had a bit of fun with my forge.The first attemp came out just as I wanted but when I ground it to shape I could soon see that I had not worked it enough and it became a letter opener instead.Its hard to learn this sort of stuff from books and I leart heaps from my first try so gave it another go and this time really worked it well and I think it will become a knife tomorrow.I love the look of the rougher one but need more practise.The bottom one in the pic was the first attempt. Cheers KIM
-------------------- Australian Outdoor and Archery Posts: 212 | From: Queensland Australia | Registered: Dec 2004
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posted
I know absolutely nothing about this but those look awesome. Perhaps you can make one with a well worked blade like the top one and a handle section like the bottom. Then some minimal handle covering that would highlight the "rough" handle.
Posts: 377 | From: Tulsa, Oklahoma | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!" was written on the hallway wall of my elementary school.... I can see it just like it was yesterday even though it was 20+ years ago... the other hallway had something similar... "mistakes are good, they help us grow, they teach us what we need to know". Looks good Auz, just keep it up and it will look GREAT! Mike
-------------------- >>>--Semper-Fi--->
It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt. -Abraham Lincoln Posts: 1253 | From: Boise Idaho...no, youdaho | Registered: Aug 2005
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Funny you should have this post right at the same time I am just getting my first billets of cable damascus(3 of 'em), and one true damascus, ready for cutting and grinding. Been racking my brain (that was a fruitless exercise!!), and prowling blade forums as well as input from my mentor for blade designs. I think I might mock a few up out of wood and clay to see what I like the best as far as blade profile and handle shape are concerned. Yours look great!
I kinda learned how to use the 24 ton drawing dies on my first piece and that made a real fancy piece of damascus ribbon (no good for a knife anymore but it is shaping up real well as a bracelet My other billets came out great, so hopefully I'll have something real purdy to show you all.
Not that you need it, but since you mentioned how tuff it was to learn this stuff from a book, feel free to ask any ?'s you might have, not that I could answer too many of them, but my buddy is a true master at the forge so he could help I'm sure.
Again, great job and good luck!
Nathan
-------------------- "To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life." RLS Posts: 770 | From: Massachusetts | Registered: May 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Kirkll: Ok...this might sound silly....but what exactly holds that cable wire together while you are grinding it, and afterwards? Kirk
Heat. The cable is forge welded into one continuous bar, rather than seperate wire strands. The Cable is heated in the forge, fluxed & then hammered like crazy until it bonds into a solid bar.
-------------------- "I came into this world, kicking, screaming & covered in someone else's blood. I have no problem going out the same way"
PBS & TBT Member
>>---TGMM, Family of the Bow---> Posts: 4802 | From: Tullahoma, TN | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
It's a lot easier using one of these instead of a hammer to get the steel compressed & welded. This one is Doug Campbells, now it's on my wish list...Doc
Toecutter, Where in Mass are you?
-------------------- TGMM Family of the Bow VP of Consumption MK,LLC Posts: 6872 | From: Carlisle, MA & Aiken, SC | Registered: May 2003
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posted
Tippit, I'm down on the south shore (Dartmouth) My friend/mentor is Indian George aka. George Rebello. If you google indian georges knives you can see some of his stuff. Some really amazing stuff from one hell of a guy.
The few posts that I've seen of your knives have been fantastic. I sure wouldn't mind loosing a few arrows and picking your brain some day.
Take care, Nathan
-------------------- "To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life." RLS Posts: 770 | From: Massachusetts | Registered: May 2007
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posted
looks a heck of a lot better than my first attempts....
kirk what holds it together is 'excitement'
really..its a molecular thing, once heated to a certain temp, the electrons get so excited they break the barrier between pieces and and bond together locking the individual pieces together. the flux that rob was talking about makes sure nothing gets in there between the layers to hinder the bonding....
heres a couple of my first attempts... bandsaw blade & handsaw blade
and a chunk of Quarter mokume:
MAN...I got so excited seeing the pic of the power hammer thinking that tippit actually has one that I could 'pimp in' and use......only to be let down knowing its in montana
-------------------- Diagonally parked in a parallel universe. Posts: 1094 | From: MA | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
Toecutter, I had looked up Indian George and wanted to attend one of his Hammer Ins! I would really like to meet him as his level is way above mine. Let me know if that is possible and I'd be glad to drive down to shoot some arrows & pound some steel.
Hickstick, If I could find a power hammer around here, It would have a new home immediately tippit
-------------------- TGMM Family of the Bow VP of Consumption MK,LLC Posts: 6872 | From: Carlisle, MA & Aiken, SC | Registered: May 2003
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My other billets came out great, so hopefully I'll have something real purdy to show you all.![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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