2011 mini knife KITH

The tight black tsuka-maki was sort of blah - so I took it off. I re-did them in black and red with a diamond patern. The super close up of the katana tsuka shows the mekugi and menuki.
 

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Ok guys, the official photo thread has been started, but may have moved down the page a bit. If you have your mini done, or close post some pics.

Hope everything is going well for everyone!


-Xander
 
Ok guys, i hate to say it but i have to start completely over. I was finish sanding my blade try to etch out the hamon, and found a bunch of micro fractures. Most of them sanded out, But i would not send out a knife like that, so i will not send out a mini like that either. I have a few others started so i will try to finish them in the next day or so.
I will try to get pics of the fractures.
 
I have my profile done and all my materials in, even tiny 1/16" tubing. I even have some burlap my-carta I made for the scales!
 
I had this project in mind for the KITH, but wasn't sure if it would work out like I planned. Well, it is coming along fine, so I'll post some shots of the handle parts. I have some blade work left, but it should be done in plenty of time. 6:1 scale.

1) handle and ferrules in basket
2) handle, ferrules, pommel, threaded tang
3) assembled
4) closeup of leather liner
5) tying tassel
 

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Guys, I have to say that looks like more work than a "Normal" Sized knife... Photos look great so far, I am looking forward to see all the finished knives.
 
I finished the scabbard yesterday. It came out nice.
Now just the final blade work is needed.

Come on guys, the deadline is approaching. Lets see some minis!
 

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Wow Stacy, your Jeweler skills definitely came out on that one! unbelievable detail... Bravo!
 
Thanks, I was pleased with the hangers and rings. The scabbard is .010" thick sterling silver....thinner where I had to sand out some nasty ripples from forging it to shape. I recalculated the scale, BTW, and it is 7.5:1
 
Well, I have to say you guys are doing great. It's fascinating to see what you're coming up with. And seeing the quality you can produce in miniature, simply astounding.
 
I was forging out the damascus that I planned on using when a piece delaminated on one side. Maybe about 3-4 layers in from one side, about 10 layers on the other side. Should I just grind it off or try to forge weld it back on?
 
grind it off. It is unlikely to re-weld. Clean up the side that you grind and fold for one more weld.
 
Tried grinding it off, but it seems that there was another delamination in the middle. Now I see why pattern welded steel is so expensive. I know it took several tries to get this piece made. It looked really good until I started forging it. I did take a 1" x ½" x ½" and drew it out to 1/8" square. Would have been easier with a bigger hammer, but my 8oz will have to do until tomorrow.

Luckily, I found another piece 1/8" x ¼" and will weld it to a stick tonight so I can start forging tomorrow. I finished the old blade to shape, rough ground it to 60 grit, and heat treated, it's tempering now, we'll see how it looks. I can always use the practice. It's tough getting a clean bevel on such a small piece.

How is everyone else coming with theirs?
 
I need to do some more sanding and I hope to heat treat this later today. This is based on the knife in my avatar, my third knife.

This is all KMG so far! lol
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A little off topic but I thought ya'll would enjoy it. This photo was taken this morning from my living room... snow and you can see part of a deer. Great grinding weather!
 

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No heat treat yet but it looks much better. I hope to harden it tonight, it is up to 600 grit now and ready to go!

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I'm doing a full on heat treat! The knife is O1 steel.

Here it is fresh out of quench, the scale is still coming off. I just put it in the temper oven. It was differentially hardened with a softer handle and spine just like the larger version!

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Lots of good work here so far! I just started a new job a couple weeks ago and am now working evenings. I am finally getting comfortable with the change of hours, and am going to get back on it tomorrow morning! Geeze it has been rough, the wife leaves for work at 6am and gets off at 2. I work 2 to 1030. I'm asleep when she leaves and she's asleep when I get home. Only fun stuff I have been able to do is a couple of mods to my Kershaw. Can't wait to get back at it with the mini and post some pics!


-Xander
 
I am in the same boat with you Zaph...i have a bowl full of weird tiny knives lol. I think i finally have a winner :) This has been stressing me out pretty bad...Can only screw up so many things. Stacy, your patience is outstanding, amazed i have any hair left lol....I have this one, the PIF knife and 7 i am doing for orders....and a.d.d. to top it off.....LMAO!
 
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