silver inlay

[rod sarver]

Hey guys, could anyone tell me where to get silver inlay for handles. Thanks - Rod

[kbaknife]

What you are looking for is "Bezel" wire.
It's used in the jewelry industry to "wrap" gems.
All types of jewelry supply houses have it in many dimensions.
Also, Dixie Gun works has it and nickel silver wire as well for embellishments on muzzle loaders.

[Jeremy]

If I may make a suggestion, first buy the brass bezel wire to get the technique down.  If you can work with the brass, the silver is a snap.  Now the nickel silver is harder still to work with (but a heck of a lot cheaper than real silver!)

I bought mine from an online jewelry supply store... can't remember the name.

[Ray Hammond]

you may wish to check the last two issues of Blade Magazine....Joe Keeslar gave a two part detailed description of how to do the work, and build the fixtures and tools you need to create this nice feature in your knives.

[Jeremy]

Ray, any chance I could get a copy of those articles?  I want to see if there's an easier/better way than what I'm doing.

[Ray Hammond]

I can scan and email them, Jeremy. You know there's another way too....Joe Keeslar wrote a book called "Bolsters and guards" for the ABS which has that and 50 other neat things in it that you might want to pick up.

I think its about 35 bucks...its got one of those plastic binders so it lays flat, like a cookbook, and its fantastic.

Send me your email and I will scan the articles for you.

[kbaknife]

Ray, it's called "Handles and Guards" and has lots of tips in it.
Almost a "must have" for any level maker.
I tried the softer stuff first, like brass and nickel silver, but in fact, the 1/2 hard silver is easier to work with!
The tensile rigidity of it sort of helps to keep it in place as you make "slow" turns and such. It also doesn't get sharp kinks in it as easily as it sort of resists this from happening.
When you consider the price of the sterling silver wire, it'll still only cost you maybe 3 dollars to do both sides of a knife.
My recommendation would deffinitely be for 1/2 hard sterling silver.
But, that said, I think the next one's gonna be nickel silver!

[kbaknife]

Just "Google" "Joe Keelsar Handles and Guards".

[Ray Hammond]

yep...I was at work doing it from memory.. you can order the book at

 http://www.knifeworld.com/handles-guards.html

I tried to see if you could get it off the ABS site but they had a fire and stopped selling books for the moment.

[tippit]

I'm going to order that book now so I can study up for Clyde Symposium...need to get it autographed too    tippit

[kbaknife]

I got mine autographed at Blade last year.
Pretty soon you'll start going through your day creating designs in your head!
It's a disease.

[Ray Hammond]

Jeremy,

look in your website email inbox.

Ray

[Jeremy]

Wouldn't you know it, the article is online now!  

I make my chisels from a hacksaw blade, but my process is pretty much identical.  I did like the steaming tip better than what I did on the last one.