Bubinga, Sock and Damascus

[bullet101]

Here's my latest work.

And since I'm still not able to get a proper slot in a piece of metal I had to use the sock again. I' would have also liked it more with a steel bolster but I just hate the holedrilling and filling thing. Already broke two needlefiles while practising and still not getting good results. That makes me mad :grumpy:.

I think I have to get me one of those micro mills (but which one ?).

The rough blade blank was a gift from a friend of mine I met on the Internet.

I think the handle worked out quite good. He really fills the hand (at least mine )
Bubinga is some great wood that polishes quite nicely.
If I have some time I have to meke myself such a handle finishing wise.
Holding the handle with one and sanding it with the other is quite ... , sometimes you can't even work some spots on the handle properly.

So here are the pics:

Now I'm really looking forward to your comments and critique.

Marcus

 

[John Andrews]

Marcus, your bolster idea was an experiment, my guess. As for the slot, the best advice I can give is if you have trouble filing the guard/bolster slot, buy or build a file jig. But if you have the $, go with the mill. but, you are still going to have to do some hand filing in some cases to fit a guard, either filing the guard OR the blade, maybe both. Back to square one. I am not a fan of your bolster material, but I think your handle looks great.Your idea of the bolster material was not bad, it just didn't work out as good as we would like, unless you are going for a rough texture and finished bolster. If you find that the guard slot is impossible for you to do, just do away with guards on your knives, do the bolsters, or forget them altogether, too. I assume you are trying to fit heat treated steel for a guard, to start with. Pretty hard going, I imagine, and with diamond files. I would just grind/file a thumb dip at the bolster area on the top of the blade where the bolster would normally be, and run your handle material up to it, or grind it all together into a thumb dip.

 

[Mike Hull]

Excellent job on the handle considering the limited amount of tooling at your disposal.
About the bolster..........What John said.

You can get a woodworkers vise from Harbor Freight for about $10.00. Mount it on the side of a workbench, line the jaws with particle board, or plywood, topped with leather. It will hold a knife securely, without marring. It's also good for firearms work too. See attachment.

If you decide to get a mill, or a mill/drill, remember that the biggest you can afford will barely be adequate. Don't get anything with the word "micro" or "mini" in it. You'll regret it if you do.

 

[firkin]

How about casting a pewter bolster onto the blade/tang, pin it and shape it, then fitting the rest of the handle? Pewter is pretty easy to melt, and there are some lead-free kinds available. Or use a piece of horn or antler.

The sock-stoff thing just doesn't match the beauty of the rest, imo.