Any ideas on how to beautify this san-mai fixed blade?

N

nutellarain

Joined
Oct 4, 2013
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Hey guys,

I recently got this hand-forged san-mai fixed blade.

aUn9RJG.jpg

(sorry for potato picture)

The maker told me that it's been forged from meteor shards, so I'm a bit skeptical about that. However, he's a very reputable knifemaker.

I'm thinking on some ways to beautify it. does anybody have ideas? I'm thinking about drilling a hole in it for rivets, and putting in some wooden scales on either side. I'm not sure if this will be bad for it, since it's heat treated.

Can you tell me what you think of it, and what I should do to make it prettier?
 
It is very possible that meteorite was used in the damascus as many makers have forge welded it into the mix.
 
You can drill holes without problem. Just make sure to use a sharp carbide bit and go slow, like 250 slow.
 
There certainly are meteorite blades although how much obviously depends and that will determine how it cutest to a degree.. I have a custom folder that does have meteorite but it is a dress knife so I haven't really tested it's cutting and edge holding to any great extent. For some reason I can't remember the maker right now.
I actually really like your knife as is but you certainly could wrap it differently and in that regard there are many options.
 
Personally, I wouldn't mess with altering the steel by drilling holes, etc.

If you want to "beautify" it you can get a nice sheath made for it with tooling or inlays. You can also finish off the lanyard with one of willydigger's beads (he's on these forums). I have several and they are well made and cost effective.

You could also re-handle the knife with rayskin under cord or go with nice wood or carbon fiber scales.

Just my 2 cents on what I'd do if I were considering something for this knife.
 
It's almost a shame to cover the tang over with something but I do think a nice bit of wood on there would work really well with that blade and make it more comfortable to use.
 
I would leave it just as it is. It is showing the meteorite "grain" off perfectly. The pattern shows fine through the wrap.
 
The meteorite damascus clad has no effect on the cutting edge as it is clad to some type of carbon steel center, As for the handle treatment,a nice set of ironwood,girrafe bone or even mammoth would really set it off, Like jobasha11 said carbide bit running slow will drill it with out affecting steel.
Thats my two pennies worth
 
r connally said:
Personally, I wouldn't mess with altering the steel by drilling holes, etc.

If you want to "beautify" it you can get a nice sheath made for it with tooling or inlays. You can also finish off the lanyard with one of willydigger's beads (he's on these forums). I have several and they are well made and cost effective.
You could also re-handle the knife with rayskin under cord or go with nice wood or carbon fiber scales.
Just my 2 cents on what I'd do if I were considering something for this knife.
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I agree.
Assuming you purchased it, why would purchase a custom knife that you feel you need to beautify?
 
I would leave it as is but if you're really looking for something different, maybe ask Mason of Leethal cutlery. He does a ton of work with San mai fixed blades.
 
I'm not crazy about the wrap, it looks kinda cheesy to me.
I think this is one of those "less is more" situations.
Maybe remove it all together and show the full beauty of the steel
 
The style of the wrap looks fine, but the cordage is too thin.
Other than maybe changing the cordage (assuming it'snot epoxied on), I certainly wouldn't go modifying a custom.
 
As some others have said, if it were me the only change I would consider to the actual knife would be to have the cord wrap re-done. If you wanted you could put some nice inserts under the wrap for added interest and to bulk up the handle a bit.
A nice sheath is also a good idea and you could have someone do the cord wrap and sheath to match.

I think it is a beautiful knife.
 
Chris Larrikin said:
As some others have said, if it were me the only change I would consider to the actual knife would be to have the cord wrap re-done. If you wanted you could put some nice inserts under the wrap for added interest and to bulk up the handle a bit.
A nice sheath is also a good idea and you could have someone do the cord wrap and sheath to match.

I think it is a beautiful knife.
Click to expand...

Normally, I would leave the wrap as is, but I'm a bit worried about rusting. I live in a place where it's 70-80% humidity 24/7, so I'm thinking that it might rust under a wrap if I'm not careful.

By the way, how much do you guys think something like this is worth? I got it for about $160.
 
I know i'm going to get bombshelled for this, but the look of the blade just screams it for me:

A braided leather wrap.

The photo here is of a bicycle handle, but with some good quality leather and maybe some different colored tones you would have something.

68E1A190.jpg
 
Im gonna say I am with Dish on this one. If I were to do anything to it a leather wrap handle would be it. Other then that I wouldnt touch it.
 
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