#3 Filework and scrimshaw, Please comment

Josh Dabney

Josh Dabney

Joined
Nov 23, 2008
Messages
437
Hello all. It was a close call but got this one done before blade. This knife is a gift to my mentor's wife just as a token of appreciation for all the help they've both given me up to this point. Here's the specs.

O1 machine finished to 800x
2 3/4" cutting edge
6 7/8 OAL
Tapered tang with a kinda wavy S filework
Ivory paper micarta scales with black fiber liners
Brass pins
Scrimshaw on both sides

Sheath is in the works

Thanks for looking and commenting -Josh
 

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Wow! Great work on the scrimshaw. I'm sure she will love it. Very neat and clean work overall, scrimshaw and filework especially. Scrimshaw is something I have never tried, but doubt I have the artistry to pull it off. Kudos.

--nathan
 
Nathan,
Thanks for the kind words. The nice thing about scrimshaw is the tiny investment needed to get started or even just give it a shot. All I have is a scrimshaw starter kit from Jantz for about $12 a Harbor frieght Opti-visor on sale for $6 and some Oil paints that I had. The process is pretty easy to learn and its mostly just time consuming if you want to give it a shot sometime.

Josh
 
That looks real nice. I have thought maney times about trying to do some schrimshaw.
Keep up the good work.
 
Amazing that this is only your third knife, Josh. Scrimshaw turned out great, filework looks great, and the grind looks really good too.

I can't imagine what your tenth or fiftieth knife might look like...
 
You have a very talented hand of an artist. Everything on this knife is amazing... Great job...
Now its time to invest on photography setup :D..
 
Paul,
Thanks alot, I do have some ideas for the future. Think sub-hilt fighters, traditional bowies, embellished edc's, and possibly some skulls and flames along with handmade leather of course. Hoping to try a bunch of different styles and techniques in the begining and see where it takes me. Hope to also take up engraving in the future :D

galadduin, Agreed on the lightbox etc. There are many many things on my wish list at this point but I've been on a complete spending freeze for the past 7 weeks so I'd be able to attend the Blade show. I'm thinking that the whole Blade experience will be more beneficial to me at this point than the tools and materials I could've got with my show funds. Getting set up for better pics is on my short list though :D

-Josh
 
Josh, thats beautiful work. You have a natural hand and eye for art. The scrim came out very pretty. Keep it up bro. Its time for real ivory next.
 
Bruce,
Do I have it correct that your not attending Blade ? :( .

As I get more confidence in my skills I'll definatly be planning on working with more and more higher end materials such as Ivory and Damascus. I do have some fairly decent size pieces of Ivory that are too small for scales but I'm thinking scrimshawed inlays set in some Blackwood or ebony. We'll see what comes up in my head but I'm doubting that there will be a whole lot of plain unembellished knives comming from my shop. To me the details and handwork are half the fun. Thanks again for the encouragement Bruce !

-Josh
 
Josh,

Looks like you could have been a talented painter as well as a gifted knife maker. That whole knife just looks elegant. Beautiful work for a anybody!
 
Josh,
Your talent is really coming through on this knife. You may find out that embellishment is where it is at for you.

There will be many booths at Blade with fine people willing to show you the ropes.

I am glad to know you have made final plans to go to Atlanta. Hope the trip brings you success.

To those looking at this; I had the opportunity to go by and visit with Josh a few weeks back . He has a book full of creations just waiting to come to fruition. His talent is by far greater than he has shown us. Someone needs to invest some time or money in his abilities as he could be one of the premiere makers to come along in a while. If there are scholarships available out there he is one that would be worthy of consideration.
 
Scott,
It was a pleasure having you at the house and I'm sure we'll be doing it again in the future. Hopefully next time I won't have such a busy schedule and we can have a proper grilled out meal and a few cold ones.

What a great compliment ! I'm truly flattered that you think so highly of my ideas and potential. I tend to be a give it my 100% dedication or don't bother trying kinda guy so although things may not be happening at light speed right now I am trying my best to stay focused on quality and development of my skills.

I think a year or two of personal development, experimentation, and tool collecting are going to make a large difference in what I feel comfortable attempting. I'm approaching knifemaking as a potential career so at this early stage for me I still feel that slower is gonna be faster in the long run and honing my skills now is going to greatly increase my chances of success in the future.

Bobby, I have done some painting years ago but stick mostly to sketching in pencil. Never anything serious just messing around regularly for a long time

Thanks again everyone for the positive reinforcment -Josh
 
Josh, I have to be honest and say that I am not crazy about the knife shape. But that is only a personal opinion.

That said, I envy you. You have an artistic gift. As much as I try, the horses I draw will always looks like cows. :(

Looking forward to seing more from you.

Patrice
 
Josh Dabney said:
I'm approaching knifemaking as a potential career so at this early stage for me I still feel that slower is gonna be faster in the long run and honing my skills now is going to greatly increase my chances of success in the future.
Click to expand...

GREAT attitude, those are words for all us new guys to live by. :thumbup: You certainly have talent, I think we're all looking forward to seeing more of your work.
 
"Agreed on the lightbox etc. There are many many things on my wish list at this point but I've been on a complete spending freeze....Getting set up for better pics is on my short list though :D
-Josh[/QUOTE]

On the cheap: Translucent plastic food bowl as a tent; just shoot a flash through it. Cheaper still: typing paper. Tape up a tent. To bright? More paper. Shop lights work too, just don't burn your tent.
Flash on camera to bright. Try turning it down if possible, or off. Diffuse ambient window light is great, not direct sun.

Wish I could Scrimshaw like you. Nice.
 
Great work Josh. You're a man with a real future in this. keep it going.
 
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