Southland III (finished photo pg 2)

[Lin Rhea]

I am sticking my neck out posting this but I am determined to get it done pretty soon. This knife is at the stage in picture right now so I will have to be working along on it this next few days for more photos. It is a big knife. I posted this blade several weeks back and have been occupied with other projects and other things. It is a laddered W pattern Damascus blade.

I forged the ball guard from 416 stainless, which will take some more shaping and lots of finishing. I may forge another guard and pick which one I like best but this one is looking pretty good so far.

I plan to use that piece of stag so I laid it over the tang to give an idea of where this is all going. There will be a spacer assembly and butt cap too but I have to make those.

Sometimes it takes faith to believe that it will look much better than these rough parts in just a few short (or should I say LONG) days.
     

[Bladepeek]

Lin, I like the looks of that blade, but wouldn't you worry a bit about stuff getting caught between the blade and the guard? Or will there be more clearance as you finish it?

[Lin Rhea]

Ron, I suppose that is a possibility but it is a design feature that I will go with on this one. The guard lug will sweep back a little making a curve.

[Bladepeek]

Looking forward to seeing it finished. I have yet to see one of your knives that I didn't wish for extra spendable income  

[gudspelr]

Wow, that looks like it'll be really nice. I especially like the stag, both the dark color and texture. Just looking at the significant amount of blade real estate you have there makes my hands tired... I've been hand sanding for the last few days and am on number 6 of 7. And none are anywhere even close to that size. Looking forward to seeing how this one comes along.

Jeremy

[Lin Rhea]

I just heated and curved the guard into an "S". It's annealing now. I have found that 416 will leave a hardening line where torch flame and vise jaw meet. So I anneal it to get it back into "evenness". It will take a lot of finishing to get rid of scratches and soot but it should be fine after that. I still have to finish the blade too.

I better get busy.

[Lin Rhea]

OK, I have been fine tuning the blade profile and choil area. I'm doing this with files and will clean up with sand paper. I also rolled an edge and tested it on dried oak. This is Damascus so it will be late tomorrow before I can get it etched.

I went ahead and shaped the guard as I mentioned. There is a lot of clean up on it to do but it will be worth it.

Here is a shot of the stag laid on it. Remember you gotta have faith.  
   

[Lin Rhea]

Up early filing and sanding the clip.
 

[Fallguy]

If that is your early work just think what you can do with both eyes open.  

[Lin Rhea]

There's a lot of hand work in this blade. All of the curves have to blend and the flats are very big so I have to make double sure that there are no ripples. This just finished to 220. I'm up early again working the details and the finish.

I snapped this yesterday late just to show you that it's looking better. There is a reflection in the choil plunge that makes it look weird. I am concentrating on the deep sweep of that area since it is quite different and folks will tend to look at it more on this knife.
     

[Doug Campbell]

Looking real good Lin. You are probably enjoying the cool in the early AM Lin. Can't imagine working in the shop in the afternoon down there... It was 39* at 5:20 AM here this morning, course it'll probably make up for it this afternoon.  

[Lin Rhea]

Wow! That is cool for late July.

We're supposed to cool down tonight too but not that much.

 I got a little more done this afternoon.  
   

[Bobby Urban]

another blade full of monster and goblin faces - very, very nice per the usual.

[Track]

Really like the look of the blade in the choil area. As usual the pattern is great on this blade.

[ymountainman]

I saw the "Burr" Lin! Thanks for posting another Scary Knife!

[Lin Rhea]

Yes Cliff, that's it.   :D

Thanks guys. I hope to have some pictures through the day tomorrow.

[Lin Rhea]

Getting a little done today. Started real early. I got the spacer assembly on and setting now. While that sets I am making other parts. Here is the finial. I hard soldered a chunk of 416 on a machine screw and chucked it up in the battery drill and turned it. It goes pretty fast once you get the soldering done.

   
   
   

[Lin Rhea]

[Lin Rhea]

[Track]

Another outstanding knife Lin. Thanks for taking us through the steps, I picked up some great tips.