Advice Needed

H

Henleyj

Joined
Apr 16, 2019
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I am new to knife making and want to undertake a project that might be a little bit more than I can chew given my experience. I wanted to create a feather damascus bowie hunting knife so is anyone can offer pros and cons of possibly doing a feather damascus rather just a typical damascus piece. I was also interested in a pinecone resin handle or the knife but was curious if anyone had any suggestions for why or why not I should use that material, mainly if it is dishwasher safe. Also how durable the handle would be cuz this will be used for a camping/hunting/skinning knife. Please offer any advice possible
 
Henleyj said:
mainly if it is dishwasher safe
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No knife should EVER be put in a dishwasher!!!! Yea, I know - folks have washed knives in dishwashers for years with no damage - that they realize anyway. The dishwasher detergent does funky things to the edge making it dull over time. Most epoxies are getting close to max temp in a dishwasher also. Just not a good idea.

As Hoss asked, are you planning to make the Damascus yourself? If so, how much experience do you have with making Damascus?
 
Pine cone scales are not durable on any knife that will get use. I would suggest a nice stabilized curly maple for the handle.
Feather pattern damascus is difficult to make and expensive to buy.
I would suggest you make two or three of the style you want to make in 1084 and curly maple and when they are perfect, do one in regular damascus. If that one is also perfect, do the final one in feather damascus.
 
Your asking if a pine cone resin handle is dishwasher safe(its not), but not asking the even more important question, is a feather pattern, carbon steel blade dishwasher safe? Hint, unless you like rust, its not....
 
I can't think why feather pattern welded steel would be better than random pattern welded steel if they are both done well.
 
Hey there Henley, what kind of tools do you have? Do you have a power hammer, a press, etc?

While you don’t “need” them to make feather Damascus, I can tell you that without specialized tools and a LOT of experience, you’re going to have a really hard time.

I’ve made Damascus, just the regular kind, once by hand and I got enough useable steel to make a 3 inch boot knife.

Making Damascus of any kind is hard, doing by hand is harder, and in some cases impossible without the right tools.

Don’t take all this advice that’s contrary to what you wanted to hear and quit though, just slow down a bit, make some smithing friends and start making knives in earnest. After you get a little Damascus making under your belt, attempt your feather pattern and amaze the world with its elegance and beauty!
 
Henleyj said:
Yes that was my plan
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Dude. More power to you. No harm in trying. You have a .5% chance of success right off the bat but I'm sure you will learn a lot. Honestly, you could plan on working your way up to it. Start with random damascus and work your way up to it.
 
Your profile has no info, but I will extrapolate that at 19 you don't have a shop full of BIG power forging tools, a big welding forge, and years of experience. I know several smiths who have been making damascus for 20 years and still haven't tried a feather pattern. One friend has been a very skilled maker for 30 years, was a FIF contestant, and has many students... he is just started trying a feather pattern. He hasn't had a good success yet.
 
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DevinT said:
Are you planning on making the damascus?

Hoss
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:)

Encouraging new makers is something I have strived to do. That being said, on average you might expect success in making a sound and clean feather pattern billet, one in five times, maybe a little more or less. There are so many techniques involved, the feather pattern can be a challenge to get them correct even for smiths with a lot of years in.
A well made random pattern is doable and will make a wonderful gift.
A hunting knife you say; the hunting knives that will be used are best made of steels made for abuse. 10 series, 5160, W2, all make great knife blades.
Good luck, I like your spunk. Fred
 
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