St Judes Collaboration Knife - Work in Progress- Knife Complete with Pro Photo

[sunny hill archer]

I only have one question............. When does the bidding start????????????????????????  


         

[Shinken]

I'll start it off at $250.

For the kids!

Shoot straight, Shinken

[Lamey]

Looking forward to seeing this one unfold (not literally, but you know what I mean!)

Any ideas on the fittings/handle material etc??  I may have overlooked it,  only 1/2 through my first cup of coffee this morning.... eyes and brain still catching up.

[kbaknife]

Matt, we discussed briefly using African Blackwood.
Maybe I will twist and etch some 1903 wrought iron for the fittings.
I haven't seen Lin's drawings yet.
I've slept out by the mailbox for the last two nights, but my package still hasn't arrived.

[jcprintz]

I think I'd better start saving $ right now. I have a feeling this auction item will be expensive.

[Lin Rhea]

Wow Karl, that sounds good. Maybe with some subtle stainless spacer highlights to go with the 15N20? Sorry, I cant help watching too close over your shoulder.

It should be there today. I mailed it late in the day so it probably pushed it over into the next shippng day. Lin

[kbaknife]

Well, I heard a "toot toot!" in the drive a while ago and it was my mail man.
He had a package from Prattsville, Arkansas! (where ever that is?)
Inside was what I was waiting for - a blade!
Here's the proposed drawing for guidance - which I need! - and general mock-up of the direction Lin has envisioned for this St. Jude's project.
Not only will the outcome be challenging and a lot of fun, but getting there will present its own hurdles as well.
Right out of the chute, we had a "crossed wires" episode, but I think we're getting around that.

Making bows and knives can not be all that much different when all things are considered.
A fella takes some pieces of "stuff" and creates something new from those pieces.
What is different, however, are the people who make them and the methods and sequences they employ from shop to shop.

That is the challenge that the "Bladesmiths for St. Judes" are going to have a lot of fun with.
We will each be looking over the other guy's shoulder - from a "digital" distance - and helping and enjoying and assisting along the way.

I post this info up here today so everyone can finally see what we are shooting for and more enjoy these conversations.
Don't hold your breath!
It'll take us a few months to get 'er done.

 

Here is the drawing and the very roughly forged and ground blade - which now has a long way to go.

 

[Doug Campbell]

Looking/sounding great guys        My stamp in on the way to ya Priority mail Karl.

[hunt it]

A work of Art indeed. Going to be alot of eyes on this one from start to finish.

For the energetic bidders in the bunch this is for 2011 St. Judes Auction, no need to start bidding yet guys - much better to start saving as this one's going to raise some big $$$$.  

[Lin Rhea]

A work of Art indeed  

Not the legs Karl, not the legs.   :rolleyes:  

Can you imagine the stains that will be on that paper before this thing is over?    Lin

[PAPA BEAR]

sweet deal...good on you guys.

[Lamey]

yep thats gonna be a cool one, I will be bidding and I havent bought a knife in over 10 years!

[Roughcountry]

Wow, lookin good. Also for those who don't visit the hunting knife forum often. If I remember right the credit for the idea of a collaboration of Trad Gang bladesmiths for St Jude goes to Hunt It.
 Lin, Karl & Doug quickly stepped forward. gonna be cool watching this one.

[kbaknife]

Thanks for pointing that out.
David is "The One".

[Lin Rhea]

I missed a few photos of the original billet being built up and welded. I have been in my shop this morning building another. This billet is identical to the one our project knife came from. Here is the 25 layer billet with a handle on it after getting it pretty hot, but not quite at welding heat.
   

After that it has to get to 2400F degree F or so and get squeezed to make the weld.

   
   

The heat in the above pic is getting low enough so am trying to even the block up kind of square and go back into the forge. After it gets hot again, I draw it out longer keeping it square, then turn it on it's corners and put a little flat along each corner making it into a rough octagon. Heat it up again, turn the layering vertical and forge on down into a rectangle bar all the while trying to keep it flat and as straight as possible. Here are some shots along the way. Notice that the original layering in the stack has now turned 90 degrees in the billet.

   
   
   
   
 

[kbaknife]

Why are you sweating?

[Lin Rhea]

 

It's a hot day in Arkansas.

[NC BowBender]

Thanks for showing us the process...

And not your legs

[robtattoo]

Originally posted by kbaknife:
Why are you sweating?

       

[Ray Hammond]

Just dang Karl!!! Whomp down on a fella when he's all hot from hammerin in 100 degree heat will ya!!