Cable in a Can Bowie

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Apr 14, 2006
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Here’s a piece I just finished up. Blade is Cable in a Can 9.5 inches long. Guard is textured and heat colored mild steel. Spacer is a piece of radial Damascus. Handle is black dyed and stabilized big leaf maple. OAL is 14.75 inches.

Thanks for looking

Chuck
 
Cut a mild steel tube, I used square 3x3x6 inches. seal one end, cut cable to fit in the tube. Stuff as much as possible into the tube, I have even used my press to push it in. Then I shake powder into the "can" until it won't take any more and then pack it in with my press to get in a bit more. give a shot of WD40 and seal the other end. I drill a small pressure release hole into the side to prevent the pressure from splitting the can. Then bring it up to welding temp and squish it. Once you have it packed good so the press is working hard and it is now solid, then grind off the can. Makes for a nice clean cable billet. Very few inclusions or cold shuts. I do clean the cable by burning it out and wire brushing each bundle.
This was a readers digest version. but thats how i do it.

Chuck
 
Ray, Took it apart to clean it then put most of it back together. I did pack individual strands into the voids as much as possible. But most of the cable was whole. I did use different sizes, from 3/4-1.25 inches.

Chuck
 
Thanks all for the nice comments. Ray if your still around that wood is part of the board you picked up from me.

Chuck
 
Very nice work Chuck.

I'm going to have to get a cable knife from you sooner or later.

Larry
 
Larry,

This was the one i hade made per your design before you decided on 52100. Just decided to finish it and get ready for BAKCA and Blade West. Are you going to BAKCA if so stop by and see me. Let me know if you decide to go up to Blade west I can send you a VIP pass.

Chuck
 
I just pulled out the 52100 and damn if they aren't siblings.

I must have misread your email, I thought you had not gotten to the knife blade out of can cable. My bad... Shoulda taken it in cable, it looks great. Now I have something to aspire to.

When is BAKCA? I would love to go, I've missed it the past 5 years. If I can show up, I will definitely stop by and show you what I've gotten done.

Larry
 
BAKCA is 19 - 20 AUG. at the crown plaza hotel. Here's the address etc.

CROWNE PLAZA PALO ALTO, CA
4290 EL CAMINO REAL
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94306
650/857-0787

Moved last year since Rickey was torn down.

It would be nice to meet you. See ya there maybe.

Chuck
 
Wow! Very nice, love the pattern and that whole shape is there. That wood came out great too. May have to try cable in a can, been wanting to try some canned damascus.:thumbup:
 
George got my ni powder from ARC metals in Ridgway PA. web site www.arcmetals.com. Thay have $100 min order. Great people to work with. Another source is Sandy McClure at www.giraffebone.com. She has 1084, 1080, Think she said she had 15N20 as well. The powder i got from her is a little coarser than From ARC but ARC does not have 10xx series. The powder is pure iron and you need to mix in the carbon in the form of graphite. Just a matter of how much work do you want to do in mixing etc.

Chuck
 
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