Bird and Trout Frame Handle WIP

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In August I visited James Rodebaugh MS for a class on handles and guards.
The final project was a stag frame handle. The most complex for me.

for 2 months since, I have not made a knife as I reflected on whether or not I wanted to continue knifemaking and if this craft was even right for me.
A few days ago I decided I was going to at least give this frame handle a go

And so here this is my first attempt. Also first try with parkerizing and working with ironwood burl (which was not easy).
It needs a bit more polishing up but I had to get over the Plaza Cutlery knife show

Bird and trout 3 piece frame handle with parkerized W1 and ironwood burl with silicon bronze ferrule and frame . Pattern and design by James Rodebaugh MS.

This hidden tang did not need a frame handle but it was more an exercise in practicing before I move to stag

Comments and criticism welcome.

 

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Nothing revolutionary here but there are things to pay attention to in order to get the best fit.
I'll add pics and commentary

start with a good forging, James forge to a blueprint

grind the blade, get the ricasso flat and parallel within .002 using a disc sander and patience.

design the layout - looks I like I had a little too much whiskey given the line tracing!

set the shoulders using a carbide file guide, next time I'll do this pre-HT

file in the plunge line, use the Nicholson files made in the usa, not the new made in Mexico ones, my suggestion

temper the tang so I can drill a hole thru it - also will do before HT next time

parkerize the blade

layout the frame to see what's going on

mill the ferrule

check the guard fit

I press fit the ferrule, cold

check the fit at 10 x magnification, if it looks good here, it will look great the the naked eye

profile the ferrule

lightly scribe the centerline

check alignment

 

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at this point my procedure is 30 steps to completion
this will be condensed and I'll skip documenting some steps

profile frame

file flat the end of the frame

check how does it look?

layout and drill holes

layout frame on scales

drill into scales

and then my bandsaw blade broke and the 5 min cutting out of the frame became a much longer ordeal. In retrospect I should have just went and got a replacement blade..

fit the end of the scales flush to the frame

check the fit assembly

at some point here I had to chisel out the relief for the tang in both scale halves
a dovetail undercut would be ideal

profile the scales

check how does it fit up?

 

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and here it is

 

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and to prove I went to the show

Kansei Matsuno friction folder, D2 with ironwood

 

[liamstrain]

I really like the lines, and material/finish selection on this piece. Well done.

 

[Greenberg Woods]

Looks beautiful Harbeer. I do hope you stick with Knife Making, you certainly have a talent for it.

Stay in touch,

Ben Greenberg
Greenberg Woods

 

[LARRYZ10]

Harbeer, That is a great looking knife. Larry

 

[JTknives]

Really great looking blade you made there.

 

[stezann]

You have a very good eye for the flow and a talent in knifemaking!! Don't give up!!
Thank you for the WIP :thumbup:

 

[john april]

excellent job & photos !

 

[Robert Erickson]

Nice work and thanks for the WIP!

 

[Fish30114]

Nice work and thanks for the WIP!

What rcetroy said ^^^!!

 

[Metalhead0483]

Very cool!

 

[rustyrazor]

same. love WIPs and seeing how other people's ideas are better than mine, lol. nice job

 

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thank you all for the nice comments

I'll do one more than be ready to try some stag.
When I was a collector I bought 2 WD Pease knives and he is a master with his handle materials.
Fortunately yesterday he was at the Plaza Cutlery show and I made him teach me how to look for the best stag rolls.

 

[Hengelo_77]

:thumbup: