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Rusty e-mailed me telling me that he had the First Ever AK and what did I think about fixing it up for Uncle Bill. I of course thought it was a greast idea so Rusty sent it on too me.
When I recieved the knife I knew it had undergone Severe Testing as the handle was cracked and the bolster was almost beyond repair. I could have saved it, but it wouldn't have been as nice, so I opted for the 1/8" brass.
Rusty and me wanted to keep the AK as original as possible and that would have been fine except there was no way to make it what we wanted without doing some major work on the blade.
I filed the tang off where it had been peened over and boiled the handle to get it off the blade. Then I put the blade on the belt sdander and took all the nicks out of the blade, putting a full convex grind on it. Then to the buffing wheels for polishing. I left some dings on the spine where Uncle Bill had beat the hell out of it and just polished over them.
We realy wanted as many forumites as possible to send a piece of wood from thier areas for a multiple pieced handle, but the trials of life got in the way and time was running short so it got the purty yaller handle.
A trick in making the handle's ring for those of you that might be interested is useing super glue. The ring is roughed in around its top and then the super glue is put on the end grain, strengthening the wood fibers. This lets one cut the ring without it chipping out.
I cut a piece of American Buffalo bone to put on top of the brass and ground, sanded it flat. It was a real job getting the handle, Buffy Bone, and Brass fitted up really nice.
After the handle was epoxied on I then cut a piece of the Elk Antler into the diamond shape as you see it and Very Carefully drew around it on the handle. I then inlet the wood to accept the antler. Talk about nervous!!!! Time was then running short and I Knew that I wouldn't have time to make another handle if I screwed this one up. I said many Prayers while doing the whole job that it turn out in a Good Way and the Prayers worked. When I got the antler fitted it was epoxied into the inletted wood.
Then the finish work started with at first a coarse file and then to the fine one. The handle was then sanded to 400 grit and then polished on the buffing wheels.
I Had The Blade Taped With Several Layers Of Duct Tape While Doing all of these Operations!!! Y'all Know Why!!!!
The handle was finished off with several coats of Clear Gloss Krylon. Thenb the blade was unwrapped and given its final polish.
While all of this was going on Terry came by the house and I asked him if he would like to be part of the labor of love and of course he said yes. Terry took the scabbard which was torn badly around the top and worked his magic on it.
The knife was finished with only a few days to spare.
Actualy the AK is a gift from all of us here as most everyone knew about it and kept the secret from Uncle Bill.
I am proud to have been a small part of doing this for my Bro.
Many Thanks to all who participated in this gift to Uncle Bill!!!!!!
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>>>>---¥vsa---->®
"There's no trick in being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you."
...............Will Rogers......
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