Long slicer - FINISHED - New Pics added

[Bobby Urban]

I am to the point with this one where handle scales are next and cannot decide what to use?  I was leaning all along towards micarta for it's indestructiveness but now feel some nice wood may be in order.  What do you think?  Any suggestions?  Anyone have a piece of wood they would like to sell, trade that you think would look nice?  thanks for any help.
Blade is 9" long and 1.25" at it's deepest point
Handle is just shy of 5"
   
   

Well I decided to go with a piece of figured walnut and black canvas micarta with a red liner.
as with all my work there are plenty of flaws but I am pleased with the knife overall.  I will work on better pics.
   
   

Here she is with her little sister I began working on this weekend
 

[KHALVERSON]

bobby
i love the looks of that damascus
i think dalmation ebony would look great for scales
kevin

[DANA HOLMAN]

I think Ironwood would look good, i dont have any but maybe some one does.

[Bobby Urban]

Kevin - I don't even know what Dalmation ebony is but I will look it up?  The steel is more of my Kelly Couples 15n20 and 1080 in a low count and one of my first attempts at a twist.  I am liking the heart on the left side.  

If the Zircote I have was cross cut it would look nice but I don't think I want wood grain moving horizontal so I am still looking.  

Thanks guys - Dana, I will look at iron wood as well

[Lin Rhea]

Stainless bolster and African Blackwood?

[Bobby Urban]

I like the way your thinking Lin but the bolster may be beyond my skill set.  can I epoxy a bolster with a pin or do I need to solder it?

[akaboomer]

I agree with the Blackwood. But I have seen some Redwood Burl that would be stunning with the low layer Damascus.

Chris

[dougbutt]

how many layers of low count steel is that it looks really neat

[Bobby Urban]

It is 9 layers of 15n20 and 1080 from Kelly Couples.  That is all I can fit into my press until I modify it to have a larger mouth!  I welded the layers and then pounded into a round - did a little twist and took it to the power hammer to get it long and flat.  I am so new to all this that everyone is a mystery until etched and this is one I like.  

Anyone have any blackwood they would like to trade for some wrought?  Maybe?

[calgarychef]

I don't think a bolster on a slicing knife is all that useful.  I'd imagine that being used to slice smoked salmon, fresh bread or roast beef.  None of my professional cooking knives have a bolster and for good reason.  I'd go for something hard and dense to avoid absorbing oils etc. from the food.  African blackwood, ebony or mikarta would all be good.  Stabilized oak would have a nice grain thought that would look great on a cooking knife....so many choices.

[calgarychef]

I have lots of blackwood back in Canada but sadly none here.  You can buy it from lee Valley tools in Canada in small pieces and they ship!

[wood carver 2]

Nice blade Bob. I'm sure it will look great with just about any hardwood.
dave.

[Ray Hammond]

Bobby

I have something that might work

Let me take a photo and post it

[robtattoo]

Bamboo!  :D

Bear with me here, but I think it would look spectacular with a black bolster & a section of round, fat bamboo with a node at each end.

Kinda Japanesey to match the blade.

[Ray Hammond]

I like a round bolster of Stainless and hidden tang handle of Microsoft blue G10- or like Lin for wood it's gotta be a piece of top notch black wood

Thought I had a block to send you but what's in my safe is bog oak not bw. Sorry

[Izzy]

With a blade that nice why not go all out? Oosic. I really like that damascus.

[Bobby Urban]

New pics added of finished handle scales

[kansas stik man]

awesome job.  i do alot of cooking and i would like to forge my own knives for the kitchen but my last attept was a failor as i forged to thin and when came time to do heat treat it worped something terrible on me.   i would like a belt grinder to be able to forge thick and grind thin a grinder is not in the financing right now. any suggestions?

[Bobby Urban]

JD - I just picked up my grinder recently(within a few months) and it has made a world of difference so my only sugestion is keep a look out and save some duckets.  I got mine from another knife maker here in Michigan with a few attachments and a 2hp motor on a stand for 850.00

Not peanuts but for a grinder that is set up to plug and play I feel it was well worth the price.  

Like bows, canoes, and other great things you just know there are plenty out there collecting dust - you just have to stir the pot a bit to find what you are after at a price you are comfortable with.  

Another option is to make one.  Plans can be had for free online or there are some really nice plans for like 25bucks from US knife makers but you will still probably end up in the 800-1000 range if you buy a new motor and many attachments.  just the nature of the beast.