First larger fighter: The Inquisitor!

[Frank Niro]

Pat.
Have you been through the tunnel carpal tests yet? For most it's a very minor operation and for some with very little pain. I believe that often one wrist is done and then the other later. I was very fortunate with the whole thing which I had to have done about 20 years or so ago. Both wrists were done at the same time. I was back to a very physical job within less than three weeks. I sure recommend if it's doable for you to financialy manage to get it done as soon as possible. It was so wonderful to not have my hands getting "sleepy" . My best to you ! Frank

[Brian Ayres]

Sorry to hear about your ailments buddy!
I hope you find relief soon! It sounds very frustrating.b

[Patrice Lemée]

Thanks for the good wishes. You are right Brian, very frustrating indeed.

Frank, I am going for the test next wednesday. In a way, I hope it's carpal tunnel syndrome. I also heard from a few other folks that they had good results from operations for that like you.

Thanks again guys.

[NickWheeler]

Sorry to hear about the ailments Patrice!

My aunt works in a lab at a hospital, doing a lot of repetitive hand/wrist work. She had ct surgery a couple months ago. Thanks to modern methods/knowledge, her recovery was very fast. Hopefully your issue here is something that's a relatively "easy" fix (of course we wish you didn't have any ailments in the first place!).

Get better and make more knives!

[silver_pilate]

Sorry to hear you're still having problems, Patrice. Hope they finally get it all figured out. I know personally how frustrating mystery ailments can be. Email me any time, bud.

--nathan

[Patrice Lemée]

Thanks for the well wishes guys.

[Salem Straub]

Bro, you gotta get better soon and keep making better and better knives! You owe it to the world. I'm glad to hear that carpal tunnel is easier to fix now, I had no idea. I hope you are diagnosed with the least serious and most treatable possible thing.

[RyanW]

You are in my thoughts Patrice! take care of the important stuff! Hope you had a nice vacation.

[Patrice Lemée]

Thanks again for the good wishes.
Like I was not already the slowest knifemaker on the planet.
I do feel bad for Mike though and will try to get this one finished before any of the treatments starts. If they find out what's wrong that is.
Thanks to another Mike I have some silver on the way.
Meanwhile I'll try to work on fit and finish, well as much as my right hand will permits anyway. Still have to figure out the stand.

Thanks again for the support guys. Means more than you know.

[Bigfattyt]

I don't know Frank, I kind of like the handle and find it fits the whole design pretty well. It may not be the optimal fighting handle as Nick's would be but this is more of a display piece than a pure fighter. And it was only meant to look mean to help the Inquisitor in his work.

I must say it does betray the fact that there is something I would very much like to try my hand at...antique pistols.

My thought when looking at that handle was that you were going for a pistol grip, and I like it very very much!

[Frank Niro]

`I sure don't want you to have surprises if the tests are positive for carpal tunnel. There won't be a "treatment". They will get you in for a day care or just over night operation. Truthfully, it isn't much and for sure you would not want the lime disease thing which can continue to get worse. You will handle this as you have handled lots of challenges in your life. Everyone here knows you're not a quitter. Take the time necessary for your full treatment and come back with continued passion to make beautiful knives of all sorts. Frank

[Patrice Lemée]

Thanks, glad you like it Big!

Frank, thanks for your words of support. That is what I heard from a few folks I know who had CT problems. It sure would be better than Lyme Disease.

[Bruce Bump]

Let us know what the doc says. I have the same pains in both wrists. I blame it on hand sanding too much.

This knife is sure coming out cool

[wolffbite]

My dad has carpal tunnel (got it from years of woodwork and finally building our house). He has never had the surgery to get it fixed, and it doesn't seem to flare up on him every month or so whenever we do some work together in the garage/garden. I've bugged him to get it looked at but hes a stubborn ole guy and probably won't until hes in so much pain he doesn't have a choice

Hope all goes well Patrice! You'll be back and kicking in no time

[Phil Dwyer]

We know what you've spent a lifetime doing with that right, sometimes left, hand. Stroking your blade back and forth so much has just plain old wore you out. No wonder you prefer mechanical gadgets whenever possible. Flexible shaft machines sure are handy, aren't they? And belt grinders have sure been a boon to knife makers too. All that sanding and filing has had its toll.

Joining the others in sending you thoughts of health, warmth of heart and levity...

[Patrice Lemée]

Thanks once again for your support guys. Verdict is that there is some irritation of the nerves but not enough to operate. It also doesn't tell me if all the pain comes from the irritation but oh well, we'll just have to wait for some more results.

In the meantime, thanks to theevilmike on here (and his lovely wife who does jewelry and graciously accepter to part with some silver) I have the sterling to inlay the cross.



Not 100% sure yet how I will shape the cross blank though. As for holding it, I will cut a v channel inside (Stacy may supply the technical term for this) and hammer it in there to fill the cutout.

[theevilmike]

Glad i could help Pat
Mike

[mike nelson]

sorry to hear about that patrice the knife is looking great im a most definitely still interested in it cant wait to see the cross get filled in but dont put your self in pain over a knife it can always wait best of wishes well time to go out landscaping again talk to you later

[bladsmth]

Inverse seat.

Cut the opening with inverted "V" shape sides. Use a small 90° Hart burr. Make the inlay piece for the cutout a snug fit and about 50% thicker than the blade.Anneal the inlay piece. Place in the cutout and start gently hammering....just like a rivet.Use a polished flat or slightly rounded hammer face. Start by working the edge area at the four corners.Then work from the center out, covering the entire piece, and turn from side to side to keep it centered.This will stretch the silver and make it enlarge into the inverse seat. Increase the force of the blows once it starts to lock in place. You can work the silver in localized areas with the round peen to fill in any gaps. When finished hammering on the silver, file and sand flush.

The hammer and the surface hammered on should both be sanded and polished smooth.

[Patrice Lemée]

Thanks for the tips Stacy, much appreciated.