A rustic cable damascus push dagger

[ArielSalaverria]

Hi,

This is a rustic push dagger I just finished.

Bigger picture:
http://www.aescustomknives.com.ar/images2/cablepushdagger1_bigger.jpg

3" cable damascus (1085) blade in 3/16" thickness.
4 1/4" overall length


Some pictures of the process:

Already forged cable.

I cutted the cable in half at the "tang" so I can make the push dagger handle.

I bend both halves to an overall "T" shape.

Twisting the arms with a pair of pliers and a torch to heat the steel.

Almost finished handle, already twisted.

 

[ArielSalaverria]

More pictures of the push dagger:

Regards,


Ariel

 

[P. Nelson]

That is sweet.

 

[rebeltf]

This might be a dumb question. When a knife is made from cable , does the cable ever come apart at the strands ? like little pieces popping up ?
Just curious I like that dagger

 

[ArielSalaverria]

rebeltf,

No, not at all, you have to make sure that the welding was good.

I like to leave some parts not complete welded for a rustic look, but even those parts won't come of in strands of affect the proper knife use.

Regards,

Ariel

 

[DanielPrentice]

I am no expert by any means, But I have placed a finished Cable Damascus Bowie in a vise and done a bend test. Held up wonderfully.....

The Bowie above was twisted at welding heat to increase the twist from its normal twist to 3 times its twist which did shorten the cable, but made it's first weld without hammering. The tighter pattern holds up much better than one that is not twisted beyond it's normal state. There are steps in welding damascus that, in my opinion, that should be done that increases proper welding and forming and decreases imperfections such as seperations/bad welds,

With the nature of cable, it is not uncommon to get small/very small divits from the forging that you see during the grinding process. I have had some cable that just did not want to weld no matter what I done with it. Kinda like some women in my past..... but that is another story.

We just shot video (Kim Breed and I) on an upcoming video instructional series of how we do what we do. There are many ways to do everything. Just find out what works for you and have fun......

Daniel

 

[DanielPrentice]

Another Cable Close up.....

Messing with these pictures to get them to fit on the bladeForums is driving me madd!!!!!!!!!!

Daniel

Also, After a good twist, I will weld the cable into a solid round piece that has no ridges and smooth before I continue to flatten then forge-shape.

 

[DanielPrentice]

BTW,

That is a nice push dagger!!! Thanks for posting

Daniel

Curious, where do you get your cable?

 

[Tracer-san]

More pics from this kick ass push.

I've seen ALL of Ariel's knives in the past two years and they never cease to amaze me when I handle them.... :bowdown:

 

[Mr.BadExample]

That is a great design. I love twisted iron, that really appeals to me.

 

[ArielSalaverria]

Daniel, I get it from a boats supply place

Ariel

 

[NGK-Webmaster]

Just tried to PM back to you but it said you cant receive anymore PMS till you clear some out, hehe.