In the shop 2/28/2012

[Redrummd]

I had the camera with me so I just snapped some pictures of what was going on through the day. I will leave it to your imagination or you can always ask questions.

[Redrummd]

More pictures.....

[Redrummd]

Even more photos.....

[Redrummd]

The last for the day.....

[hohenstreetroa]

I see more gorgeous knives in the works. Thanks for giving everyone out here a few glimpses of your shop!

[Redrummd]

Lance,

Did you notice that there is now a 2nd open crystal vug knife?

[dgedra]

Thanks for sharing the picutres Michael. I really enjoy see the goings-on in your shop. It's always nice to see yet another batch of drop-dead gorgeous pieces nearing completion; I enjoy seeing each and every piece that comes out of your shop. What are the two blue items with numbers 18 and 24 on the sides?
Many thanks,
Dave

[Redrummd]

Dave,

Those are my two big saws, one is a 24 inch and the other a 18 inch. The first two pictures are of the inside the 18 inch saw. The slab is a slab of "Christmas Tree" agate from the Marston ranch in Oregon. It is a wood replacement agate in that the logs mostly rotted away leaving voids in the vocanic ash and those voids were filled with agate.

[hohenstreetroa]

Michael,
I did notice! Really nice! I'd love to see it in hand. Thanks again for these pictures.
-Lance

[Redrummd]

Lance,

I will hold it for you to look over before I put it up for sale as you have the only other one I have done - the Maury Mountain knife.

[hohenstreetroa]

Michael,
Thanks! I can't wait to see it!

[steve25]

Now that's a shop! Thank you for sharing your art and where it all happens. Your knives are stunning. I just joined the forum a couple days ago and your tutorial on how to prep a buck knife was fantastic. I do have a question for you. What adhesive do you use to secure the stone? That deschutes jasper knife that just sold on ebay was absolutely beautiful.

[Redrummd]

steve25 - I use Loctite 325. It is a one way trip for the stone I use as this adhesive has an incredible bonding ability. It seems to practically weld the stone to the scales. So far - I have never had a knife returned with a stone scale that came loose. The only issue I have had is with Mammoth Ivory on one knife and both I and the owner think it (the ivory) is possessed! :-)

Deschutes Jasper is one of the most beautifully pattered stones that exists in my opinion. The site is totally mined out now so all that remains is in private collections and those that own the really top quality pieces are not usually willing to sell any of what remains. I watch for Estate sales and even those are becoming a rare event. That knife had the last I had of the "stacked" pattern.

[steve25]

Michael, Thanks for the information. I cut cabs and do several projects with them. However, I have had several issues with different adhesives. As far as deschutes jasper I was lucky enough to visit Judy Elkins shop before she closed and bought a few fantastic slabs. I hate to say it but I am holding onto the best for display pieces myself. By the way that is another outstanding knife on ebay with the willow creek jasper. Thanks again, Steve

steve25 - I use Loctite 325. It is a one way trip for the stone I use as this adhesive has an incredible bonding ability. It seems to practically weld the stone to the scales. So far - I have never had a knife returned with a stone scale that came loose. The only issue I have had is with Mammoth Ivory on one knife and both I and the owner think it (the ivory) is possessed! :-)

Deschutes Jasper is one of the most beautifully pattered stones that exists in my opinion. The site is totally mined out now so all that remains is in private collections and those that own the really top quality pieces are not usually willing to sell any of what remains. I watch for Estate sales and even those are becoming a rare event. That knife had the last I had of the "stacked" pattern.

[Redrummd]

Larry Ridley is the owner of the Willow Creek claim he personally selected and held that purple piece for me. He meets up with me at the Madras, Oregon show every year and if he has hit any big flawless piece(s) I get to buy them. :-)

Judy Elkins store was just a short drive from the Madras Fairgrounds and I have been there too.