A nice device to work better on handles

ArielSalaverria

ArielSalaverria

Joined
Mar 26, 2004
Messages
1,617
Hi :)

Probably you guys already have gizmos like this, but maybe it helps some new knifemaker to work more smoothly as it helped me.

A couple of months ago I saw something like this on the background of a picture of a knifemaker's shop (I can't remember which knives magazine was now) and it seemed really interesting, as until that moment, I worked my handles on a fixed vise.

So with that picture in front of me, I made this thingy to make my job easier and be able to have more freedom while working on the handles.

The wood on the cylinder allows me not to damage the blade while getting ahold on it, and while I fix the entire device on a vise using one of the 3 feet, I rotate the cylinder on my best position to work the handle and fix it there with the upper handle.

artilugio_ariel_1.jpg


artilugio_ariel_2.jpg


artilugio_ariel_3.jpg


artilugio_ariel_4.jpg


artilugio_ariel_5.jpg


artilugio_ariel_6.jpg



Questions welcomed!



Regards,

Ariel
 
Ariel, as a beginner I have to thank you for sharing this. That's a cool fixture that looks like it could be made with only a torch and a hand drill. Great inventivention. You could probably turn making them into side line of products all by themselves like Milton Choate has with his grinding and filing guides.

It looks like it could also work well the other way holding blade blanks by the tang for finish work. Very cool.

John
 
Ariel,

That is a very nice and functional piece of equipment you made. I have seen several different type versions of the same principle here on BF in the past. (BTHW, that is a nice piece of handle work too you have in the pictures.)

However, I have found, for me at least, it is overall faster and easier to just hold the knife by its un-sharpened blade in the lesser hand and doing the finishing work with the dominate hand. It takes some practice but after a couple knives it proves itself, or has for me anyhow, to be more expedient and offers better control.

I do agree with the above post. You certainly do have a great talent for inivation and manufacture.

RL
 
Ariel, thanks for sharing those pictures. I need to build one of those vices myself. BTW I like the knife, and your yellow and white cat!
I keep hearing a lot about you from Mete I think. Do you have a website? Would love to see some of your work.
 
The device is designed after a jeweler's vice. The jeweler vice is 2 pieces of wood, banded or hinged in the center and uses a wedge of wood driven into the opposite side to tighten the jaws. A large scale one wouldn't be hard to make and would work rather well.

Bryan
 
At first I thought bit was a sheath designed by Rube Goldberg, but maybe they never heard of him in Brazil !LOL ......I wonder if those large handles ever get in the way ? Engravers vices also have the ability to be rotated .Thanks for the ideas Ariel.
 
I use a similar designed holder on most my knives...gives me 100% controll of what I am doing..and I have both hands free to do it...I do a lot free hand also though...really depends on the project
 
I have a "Moran vice" that I bought from Uncle Al a few years ago. It works well and is very similar to what you have come up with. Looks good!

The one that Al Lawrence has clamps in a standard vise.

MVISE.jpg
 
Mete said:
At first I thought bit was a sheath designed by Rube Goldberg, but maybe they never heard of him in Brazil
Click to expand...

That was funny Mete :D I searched for Ariel's site, but didn't find one, however by clicking on his name I found his old posts, and have really enjoyed looking at them.
 
For those who have never heard of 'Rube Goldberg' just do a search under his name. He's very creative and lots of fun !!
 
I knew it was going to be an already know thing to the knifemakers, but I wanted to show it in case someone didn't know about it.

I have a small website in Spanish (I'm working on get a nice one)
http://sepiaarte.com/ariel/cuerpo.htm

Rick Leeson sent me an email regarding this, and he has a lot of tutorials on his website, including one on making this same device, very nice to visit.
http://www.blacksmithrick.com/equipment.html

I have a post with a gallery of picture on the other forum, I'll see if I can get one here too, I have many sold knives that are really nice.

Here are some pictures of this knife (that's tracer-san's -Nestor- place and his cat, btw)

5160 y 1030 damascus with some 1085 cable on the holes/details, filled with copper.
4" blade - 8.25" overall. Handle was made from a red wood called "Quebracho" and it has a 3/4" cable inserted on it, with copper details. Bolster is bronze.

damascus5_detail1.jpg


damascus5_detail2.jpg


Regards,

Ariel
 
Since we're all sharing, just gotta show what I use:

vice.jpg


2" pipe fittings and a few bolts.

Steve
 
Ariel, those cable/copper inserts are GREAT! How the heck did you do that? I love it.
Ed
 
Ed,

On the blade, I drilled both holes taking into consideration the diameter of the cable I was going to insert there and then I filled the space with copper, melting it from a copper stick with a oxiacetilen (sp?) torch.

On the handle, I placed a 3/4" diameter cable inside a copper pipe and then I filled it up with melted bronze, also using a oxiacetilen (sp?) torch. Then I inserted that into the wooden handle and glue it there.

For both the bronze and copper I used borax as flux.

Regards,

Ariel
 
In my post I neglected to say that I am lucky enough to have a horizontal edge grinder. That makes profiling a dream. Before I was able to get the edge grinder I did all rough profiling with the blade in a vise. With the edge grinder all that is left is finish work, so doing free hand is easy by comparison.

I thought I should clear that up and I guess it did not occur to me before because I am so used to and spoiled by the Rob Frink horizontal edge grinder.

RL
 
Thanks for the explanation Ariel. I'm adding that to my list of things to try when I have some time. Problem is, the list keeps getting longer and the time keeps getting shorter :rolleyes:
Ed
 
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