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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: tomsm44 on April 13, 2016, 07:27:00 PM

Title: Damascus and Koa
Post by: tomsm44 on April 13, 2016, 07:27:00 PM

The thread I started when I started this knife was a bit cluttered, so I figured I'd just post a new one now that it's finished.  I wasn't sure how the curly Koa would turn out at this angle, but it looks ok.  This is only my fourth hidden tang, so my fit up isn't as good as I usually get with my full tangs, but I'll get it figured out.  Anyway, here's the finished product, other than final sharpening and a little handle buffing.

Blade:  Damascus made from 52100 ball bearing & 4800kc steel (Not made by me)
Fittings:  Cold blued mild steel w/ SS spacers & pommel nut
Handle:  Koa w/ whitetail antler spacer
OAL:  7 3/4"
Blade:  3 7/8" guard to tip

  (http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg614/tomsm44/image_56.jpeg) (http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/tomsm44/media/image_56.jpeg.html)
  (http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg614/tomsm44/image_54.jpeg) (http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/tomsm44/media/image_54.jpeg.html)
  (http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg614/tomsm44/image_57.jpeg) (http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/tomsm44/media/image_57.jpeg.html)
  (http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg614/tomsm44/image_55.jpeg) (http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/tomsm44/media/image_55.jpeg.html)

Title: Re: Damascus and Koa
Post by: J.W. on April 13, 2016, 07:53:00 PM

I like it. Very well put together and appealing.

Title: Re: Damascus and Koa
Post by: Fallguy on April 13, 2016, 09:09:00 PM

Very Nice, if you wanted to that blade a I would suggest "Spotted Dick"   ;)

Title: Re: Damascus and Koa
Post by: D.Ellis on April 13, 2016, 11:55:00 PM

That turned out great Matt. Very nice use of contrasting colors in there.   :thumbsup:  

Darcy

Title: Re: Damascus and Koa
Post by: Bodork on April 14, 2016, 07:28:00 AM

Very nice indeed! and the sheath looks great also!

Title: Re: Damascus and Koa
Post by: tomsm44 on April 14, 2016, 11:52:00 PM

Thanks guys.  This one was a little more complicated than I initially planned.  I intended to do a fairly simple handle, but the guy I built it for saw this piece of Koa and wanted it and what's there is about all I had to work with.  That's why it got the antler spacer.  Then I met with the group of guys that made the Damascus billet and I got to see one with this pattern finished.  That's when I came up with the idea for the blues/SS stacked guard, to match the colors in the blade.  It went from my initial plans for four total pieces in the handle/fittings to 14 counting the internal alignment pins.  I think that was part of the reason I struggled getting everything fit up just right.  I really like how the sheath came out.  I think I've improved more with my leather work lately than with my knives.  And I almost enjoy it more.

Darcy, I've been watching your work for inspiration on materials use in my handles.  You combine materials and finishing techniques as well as, if not better than anybody ive seen.  And Lin has inspired me a lot with my overall design work.  Not so much with his style directly, but more with his advice on here about design and flow, and in some articles I've seen from him in other media on the same subject.  He's really helped me develope more of a vision for my finished products before I even get started.  

Fallguy, I'm not even going to touch "spotted dick".   ;)

Title: Re: Damascus and Koa
Post by: just_a_hunter on April 15, 2016, 11:57:00 AM

Love it!

Todd

Title: Re: Damascus and Koa
Post by: TrackerNy on April 15, 2016, 01:16:00 PM

Looking real good!

Title: Re: Damascus and Koa
Post by: 1oldbowguy on April 16, 2016, 10:53:00 AM

That is one fine looking blade, great combo.

Title: Re: Damascus and Koa
Post by: tomsm44 on April 19, 2016, 08:48:00 AM

Thanks again guys.