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Author Topic: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter  (Read 938 times)

Offline kbaknife

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Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« on: January 24, 2011, 12:33:00 PM »
This one is a result of a lot of challenges for me.
I got the original inspiration for this from fellow knife maker Matt Bailey.
When I saw his knives this past year at his table right next to mine, I was sure he had been laminating Damascus on top of a high carbon core. After some cajoling on my part, he explained his process of laminating 203E to his 1095 and W2 core steels.
For those who don't know, 203E is a 'pressure vessel' steel - think propane tanks. When was the last time you ever saw a propane tank rusted through? There is enough nickel in 203E to make it HIGHLY! corrosion resistant, yet not so much to inhibit carbon migration.
203E has been used for decades as a Damascus nickel layer due to its propensity for carbon migration, yet enough nickel to etch in the Damascus contrast we all enjoy.
Here we see 203E as the outer laminate on my hunter.
As we grind on up through from thin to thick, I exposed more - to - less of the carbon migration from the welding process, and this etches out in a graduation of hardness giving the appearance of a "Damascus-y" display.
It is really rather lively in person. Right along the bottom edge we get this shiny pure iron layer that makes a nice "frame" for the laminate.
Mated all this up with 416 stainless take-down fittings and a Cocobolo handle.
(Thanks, Matt)

   

 
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When the last deer disappears into the morning mist,
When the last elk vanishes from the hills,
When the last buffalo falls on the plains,
I will hunt mice for I am a hunter and I must have my freedom.
Chief Joseph

Offline Lin Rhea

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2011, 12:42:00 PM »
Way to stick with it Karl. For those who know anything at all about this stuff, that is an accomplishment. Nice even forging to boot. Lin
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Offline DANA HOLMAN

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2011, 01:00:00 PM »
Nice Karl, looks kind of like the waves in the ocean. its pretty thats for sure.
dana
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Offline Toecutter

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2011, 01:58:00 PM »
Nice job, looks like a few old propane tanks are gonna be hitting the bandsaw(empty of course)  Will a propane tank be straight 203E?  Anything else added for that particular application?  Thanks in advance.
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Offline Kevin Evans

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2011, 02:00:00 PM »
:thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
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Offline kbaknife

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2011, 02:03:00 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Toecutter:
Nice job, looks like a few old propane tanks are gonna be hitting the bandsaw(empty of course)  Will a propane tank be straight 203E?  Anything else added for that particular application?  Thanks in advance.
I truly can't answer that question - I don't know if anything else is included when they manufacture the exact tank, I just know that 203E is the main steel.
I was able to get some of the raw bar stock of 203E, then just welded it up and went through my series of failures to produce a usable knife.
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When the last deer disappears into the morning mist,
When the last elk vanishes from the hills,
When the last buffalo falls on the plains,
I will hunt mice for I am a hunter and I must have my freedom.
Chief Joseph

Offline House

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2011, 02:05:00 PM »
That is simply incredible.  One of the neatest knives I've ever had the priviledge of laying eyes on!

Thank you so much for sharing.

Travis
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Offline Scott Roush

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2011, 03:00:00 PM »
Just awesome Karl.... I love it.  That looks so much like refined wrought iron it isn't even funny.

It would be real interesting to see if you can get a similar patterning with any mild steel... I still wonder how much of it is more due to thickness of the mild steel jacket.  But... even if you got the patterning it might not show as well without the nickel to aid in etching differences...

Anyway... congratulations and I can't wait to see what else you do with this process....
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Offline kbaknife

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2011, 03:10:00 PM »
I think you are correct, Scott.
The layering effect might be similar simply through carbon migration, but it's the nickel that gives it the contrast.
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When the last deer disappears into the morning mist,
When the last elk vanishes from the hills,
When the last buffalo falls on the plains,
I will hunt mice for I am a hunter and I must have my freedom.
Chief Joseph

Offline kansas stik man

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2011, 07:19:00 PM »
looks great karl, i really like that blade.
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Offline amar911

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2011, 07:32:00 PM »
Karl,

That is an amazing looking knife. So, does it perform well or is it just a pretty face?

Allan
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Offline kbaknife

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2011, 07:36:00 PM »
With the 1095 core having quite a "supply" of carbon, with what little loss I experienced during the laminating process, it should be a great performer.
I've done some hacking and chopping on some dense bamboo I just got in from California, and it seems to do fine.
I'm about to take one to a Texas hog hunt with about a dozen other guys and put it through its paces.
Should be plenty of proving ground right there!
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When the last deer disappears into the morning mist,
When the last elk vanishes from the hills,
When the last buffalo falls on the plains,
I will hunt mice for I am a hunter and I must have my freedom.
Chief Joseph

Offline Steve Nuckels

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2011, 08:04:00 PM »
A beautiful knife indeed!  Congrats on your accomplishment!

Steve
--------
Potomac Forge
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Offline Scott Roush

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2011, 09:44:00 PM »
i've got some of that bamboo coming in too Karl... from the guy on Blade?

I'm jealous of you guy's and yer hogs.
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Offline Idahomike251

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #14 on: January 24, 2011, 10:14:00 PM »
Very, very well done! Blade is truly a work of art!
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Offline Doug Campbell

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #15 on: January 24, 2011, 11:22:00 PM »
Congrats on getting it "figured" out Karl, like I said this afternoon. Great job on one awesome knife Buddy!
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Offline OconeeDan

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #16 on: January 24, 2011, 11:54:00 PM »
Karl, that is very nice.  I appreciate your explanation.  
That looks like it was quite a venture.
Dan
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Offline S.C. Hunter

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #17 on: January 25, 2011, 12:52:00 AM »
Karl, beautiful work. That is a really sharp looking knife no pun intended. Okay maybe a little.  ;)
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Offline 2treks

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #18 on: January 25, 2011, 08:19:00 AM »
SWEET!
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Offline Bodork

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Re: Laminated Coco Bolo Hunter
« Reply #19 on: January 25, 2011, 07:02:00 PM »
That is one AWESOME knife! thanks for explaining the process also!
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