A build-a-long with J.D. Smith, MS

If you look closely, you'll see the temper line that shows the differential heat treatment.













J.D. figures there's somewhere between 300 and 350 layers. Of what, I couldn't tell you with any certainty since I never asked what alloy of steel he used :o
 
Last edited:
1084 and 15N20 were used to build the blade material...pretty standard pattern weld mix these days; works and looks great!
 
I love me some 1084!
 
Time for J.D. to get a handle on things;







Funny...I don't know what kind of wood this is, lol.
 
I understand that bubinga has a high strength to weight ratio- that's the kind of feature I appreciate, perhaps moreso than figuring, etc.

However, man cannot live well enough on wood alone, so...

 
Did you ask for a piece done up like a Don Fogg Shiv? That is what is is very reminiscent of.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I didn't notice the similarity, good eyes. Love that Fogg vibe, and how he so freely spreads it around.

J.D. and I did originally talk about a sgian dubh type thing a long time ago, but this dealio was really all about timing. I follow J.D. on facebook and have seen a good number of pieces get created that I wanted over the past couple years, but they're always a little out of my reach or the timing is off. One in particular, big choppy thing, mmmm....Anyway, there was another recent choppy thing that he alerted me about that, if I weren't saving up for Blade, I'd have taken in a heartbeat. I think he felt my disappointment in having to take a pass on it and offered to put something together for me that I could handle. He really went the extra mile for me, and in particular he provided all these photos at my request so that I could put this thread together.

All that aside, I didn't express any particular preferences with regards to shapes, finishes, materials...he knew I wanted something I could use every day, something of a manageable size and this is what he came up with. There was really no time between us talking about a knife and him making it, and that started maybe a week ago, so I had almost zero input. That being said, he made exactly what I wanted. How he knew is why he is so good.
 
I'd like to make a recommendation, if J.D. hasn't gone too far. Have the core taken out of the paracord....it will result in a more hand friendly package.

If it's too late, it's too late.

Of the many, many people that Don has influenced, J.D. is one of the few who can truly take that aesthetic in his own direction successfully....most either copy outright, or fail badly on the interpretation.

If he isn't making the sheath for it, Paul Long can do something for it that will make it an almost magical carry piece.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Congrats on being able to get a knife from J.D., Lorien.

J.D. and I have been friends for almost 25 years....he's a good man, and a greatly talented Smith/knifemaker.

He has a sharp mind, wicked skills and the attention span of a fruit fly.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

On top of all this, he is also a heck of a salsa dancer who gets all the pretty girls :)

Marcel
 
J.D.'s photo of the finished knife;







I'll add some more once the blade arrives :)

J.D. sent along an extensive collection of photos documenting his manufacture of the sheath. That, in itself, might serve as an excellent tutorial for those cutlers who might have reservations about doing their own leatherwork. I'll post them up on Tuesday.
 
Last edited:
for the sheath tutorial;

Tracing the blade onto what will become the "welt".


Welt has been cut.









"Scithing"(thinning out)the belt loop elements.







Trimming withe "edge trimmer".



Cutting the welt free and preparing to cement pieces together.



Applying cement to the welt and back of sheath.



Malleted down for a strong bond.



Checking the fit and alignments.
 
Last edited:
Preparing to fix the belt loop in place.



Done.



Stitching the loop down.



Preparing to assemble cemented front and back.



Assembled.


Edges trimmed and sanded smooth.





With a set of dividers, I lay out where the stitch trough will be laid.
 
Last edited:
A special grooving tool establishes a bed for the stitches; sunken and depressed to minimize wear.
43_zpsysvxikp9.jpg



Using dividers again, I mark the spacing for the holes I'll drill for the stitching awl.



Holes for stitching awl drilled.



A stitch trough is created on the back side as well.





Stitching begins.



All stitched! Now the fun begins!



Edges get a dark black dye.



A deep brown for the rest.



While the sheath is still damp, I force the knife in, form fitting the leather. I'll let it dry for 15 minutes. It will permanently assume the shape and contours of the knife.



I return to the edge trimmer for a bit of a touch up before I burnish the edges with a smooth hardwood handle.



I lay out guidelines for the tooling work I'll be doing.


 
Last edited:
Just what the heck is going on here!? :)
 
Last edited:
You don't miss a trick do you? My stamps I use to make my mark are in my shop in NH, Going up tomorrow to install it.
 
jdsmith02115 said:
What happened to the captions??
Click to expand...

you sent me so many damn pictures that I can't do it all at once! It's a challenge just to keep them in order since photobucket likes to reorder them for me.
Don't worry, I'll be editing my posts and adding the info. And, more pics to come!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top