Bill Burke fighter, progression thread

Keith Montgomery

Keith Montgomery

Joined
May 9, 2000
Messages
29,205
Bill is making me a fighter with pattern welded blade and fittings, a dessert ironwood handle and a silver habaki.

Below are some photos of the making of the steel for the blade. The first photo is the loose materials. The second is of the welded together stack. Next is a shot of the stack coming up to temp in the forge. Then a shot of setting the weld in the press. The last photo shows Bill continuing to gently squeeze the now welded billet.

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Cool another progression thread! Thanks a lot for taking the time to put these together.
 
When I saw a photo of the knife below in Knives 2008 I decided it was time to contact Bill and put together the order that I had been wanting to do for a long time.

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The above knife is the inspiration for the one Bill is making for me. There will be some definite differences, though.
 
Another progression thread! I like it!

Thanks for posting.

Kind regards,

Jos
 
Thanks Keith!:)
I await the next installment with great enthusiasm!
 
Bill deserves some prime time this will be another great thread
Thanks for Sharing
 
Another great thread in the making. Thanks Bill & Keith for sharing that with us.
 
Really dig your build threads,Keith,and I've really liked the examples of BB's work that I've seen.
Thanks,again! :thumbup:

Doug
 
Bill has developed a style that is recognizable. He still does the Fowler style knives, but he also has his Japanese influenced designs. I really like his work.
 
These progression threads have given me a great education and appreciation for what goes into making various knives. Not to mention it is just very cool to see raw materials made into fine knives.

Thanks,
Peter
 
Neat to see Bill's work. He does some nice work and it's worth the wait.
 
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The first photo is the billet being reheated. Then back into the press for another squeeze. Then drawing out the billet on the hammer and rolling the billet in my rolling mill to flatten for folding. Back to the press to straighten the billet after flattening. The last photo is the cut and folded billet ready for reheating and welding.

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Keith, thanks for posting this. I has been fun working on this project so far.


pierced, please send me an e mail
 
Knifemaker87 said:
i love these threads!
and i love your work burke!
i cant wait to see what it will look like!
~chris
Click to expand...

Me too ;) I always pick up a new trick or see a new skill I need to learn. And I've always liked your work too Bill :thumbup:

Thanks for the insight !
 
That really looks nice Bill. Especially the press & rolling mill.
I really wish I had some that look just like them. lol
 
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