Am I the only one who sees blades everywhere?

I have plenty of rubies... tiny ones even (around 1 - 2mm, if memory serves). Even those are too large for this piece. I tried the rubies first... I wasn't pleased with the look. I'm not completely giving up on that idea, but enamel seems more suited to this application.
 
Here's an image showing the rubies in position...

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Yes I see your point.
These are rubies with facets. I was thinking about round or half round ones.
It's an interesting project
 
I took a couple of weeks off this project due to travel and holiday commitments, but now that I'm on vacation mode I'm back on it. I've halted work on the blade, for the time, and shifted my attention to the wings. I've decided to get that far enough along so I can feel cnfident in fit and finish before I send the blade for HT. Besides, what's the point in trying to ship something during this, the busiest shipping time of the year.

Like the blade, the wings will require a lot of carving and sanding, so this will take more time. Funtionally, the wings will serve as the guard... but as you know, this project isn't really about functionality.

- Greg
 
Greg, this is an excellent project. Good to see you brought it back with an update. I am very much like you, I see blades in all kinds of everyday objects. I just drew one in my sketch book that I got inspiration from a modern sports sedan!

Keep us up to date-


-Xander
 
Here's the latest photo (since nothing really happens unless there's a photo to prove it). The wings will be must smaller when carved. My first task was to make sure the piece fit snugly on the tang. It does. Next will come the shaping and finishing.

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To be honest, it looks better then I expected.
Not meaning your workmanship, but the different colours the piece of ivory seemed to have, in the last picture you've showed.

Now I picture nice red eyes and a blackwood handle :)
Black, white and red combine very good and is seen a lot in art.
 
The colors are subtle, but they are still there. These pictures provide a better look at the colors. I had to dither the images a bit... the camera and software seem to want to whitewash the piece. It's still just being roughed out... details will be added later.

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I have been watching this since you started on it, and wow! you must be amazingly patient awesome work btw.
 
Thanks. I appreciate the comments. As for being amazingly patient, I would say I'm more likely amazingly slow. ;) But the truth is I am not in a hurry. I just want to see this through per my plan.

I agree with Hengelo too... blackwood is the right choice for the handle. I already have a piece suited to the task and have drilled the channel. It's not as black as coal... more of a dark chocolate brown with black streaks through it. Very heavy, too. Originally I was thinking of a piece of black aluminum rod for the handle... but I can't think how I'd cap that off. With blackwood the handle will weigh much more than the blade... but as I've said before, this one isn't about utility.

- Greg
 
Minor updates.

1) I took a small drill bit, attached it to the Dremel and widened the eye holes a smidge.

2) I dug through my loose gems and found four sapphires that will fit nicely as eyes. I do have some rubies of slightly larger size... but the sapphires are an almost perfect fit.

3) I sanded down the blackwood, and it is a bit lighter brown that I previously noted... probably will darken up some when poliched, though. We'll see.

Anyway, I have decided to use gems for the eyes.

- Greg
 
Latest WIP image. This shows the color of the wood and gives a very rough idea of how things will come together. There's still a lot of fitting and finishing to do. Next step is to finish the join between the wings and the handle. Also note the handle is too long right now... I expect it to lose at least an inch, and probably more before it's done. I might even put a pattern into the handle (spiral?). Lots left to do. Also recall that this is Damascus steel, so I still need to do a selective etching.

At least I have all the pieces in place now.

CadWIP14.JPG


- Greg
 
Looking good
How about a more symetrical pattern like diamonds for the handle?
(like large checkering)
Since the whole knife looks very symetrical, that might keep it all 'in tone'
 
I've been watching this (and your leaf knife) from the start, your work is just amazing. I like how you take your time and get it right, keep up the good work.
 
Thanks for the compliment!

Just about every caduceus image I see shows some sort of ball at the end of the staff. I didn't want to put an actual ball on the handle, but I wanted something that was visually different from the blackwood staff. I had a small piece of maple burl that was stabilized long ago (for no obvious reason at that time). I knew I'd find a use for it eventually, and decided this was that eventuality. It is secured with Acraglas and an invisible embedded bolt, so I don't think it'll be going anywhere.

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The blade is back from HT. Here's what I saw when I opened the package:

CadWIP15.JPG


Now it's on to fitting and finishing. Lot of sanding to do here.
 
Wow, I missed this thread completely....thought it was more along the lines of visualizing knives in things lol.

I'm a big fan of art knives, always have been. I think this is an absolutely awesome project, and I eagerly look forward to how it finishes up!!
 
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