CAS - RyanW Collaboration Knife (WIP)

Status
Not open for further replies.
Sorry, about the delays. I just got back from Yellowstone, enjoyed a few freezing Days / Nights there chasing Bears and Wolfs.

I have plans for this week. Stay tuned.
 
My apologies! Life and things got in the way... I have made some progress on this Collaboration, and have new drive and excitement to get it finished.

I originally was going to go with a nickel guard (Seen in previous photos) due to the ease of drilling and hand filing the tang hole. After some thought I felt it it would be wrong to put anything "Yellow-ish" on this beautiful Stainless San Mai blade! I had some 1.25" x .75" Precision Ground O1 Bar stock on hand so I decided to bite the bullet and use that.

I reached out to a good friend that has a local machine shop. He suggested that he take the part to his friend and EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) the hole. I had heard of EDM before but had no Idea how amazing this process was. I was not there for that unfortunately, so I do not have any photos or video to share!

Here is a video (Not Mine) that gives you an idea of the endless capabilities:
[video=youtube;_5yg8Ci5lzY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5yg8Ci5lzY[/video]

As you can see the EDM part is nice and clean with crisp corners, I was debating whether to have them radius the corners but knew the shoulders would cover the corners.
CASEDM_zps6f4475a6.jpg


Here is the rough outline
CASRoughGuardfit_zps0afcfa70.jpg


Here you can see where the EDM part slides to on the tang. Just perfect for a press fit (More on that later)
CASprefit_zps4419602d.jpg


CASGuardLayout_zpsd145f84a.jpg


I used the .75" Small wheel attachment to remove some of the material from the top and bottom sides of the guard.
CASRoughGrind_zpse8ef299d.jpg


I then used the 4" wheel to radius both sides to the desired thickness where the guard meets the wood
CASGuardSide1_zps67173222.jpg


CASGuardFace_zpsf99b78a8.jpg


I then took the hand files and went to work! I really enjoyed using the files to remove remaining material.
CASGuardAngle_zpsd8e538ad.jpg


When I press fit the guard after it was rough finished it rolled some of the tang walls down into the side wall shoulders. This caused some issues with the guard siting flush. I had to pull out my Bruce Bump Custom File guide to clean up the shoulders Claudio made so pretty! Luckily my files were able to clean them up.
CASFileGuide_zps78f267b9.jpg
 
cheater! :P
 
just pullin yer chain bud. But really, it was a forehead slapper, never thought to use edm for a guard fit but it's brilliant. Drilling and filing out the slot is a real bitch.
 
I have been cleaning up the guard a little bit. Since press fitting isn't an option, I will be using epoxy or possibly JB Weld to hold it in place when the time comes.

I have decided to shorten the guard a little, it looks overpowering and a little heavy to me. I will also be adding a black spacer to compliment the SanMai blade.

The handle will be Bog Oak - sticking with the "Black and Silver" Theme.

CASGuarded_zps702b4a4c.jpg


CASBogOak_zps44dee2ca.jpg


I would love to hear your comments!
Ryan
 
Looking real good Ryan! :thumbup:

Don't know if it makes a big difference but I prefer to fit all the parts first (in their raw form) and then start shaping things.

RyanW said:
Since press fitting isn't an option...
Click to expand...

Say it with me....Take Down! :D;)
 
I'm jealous Ryan. Your trip sounds like it was a great one.

That looks like a lot of work. I can't fault you for "cheating" lol. My dad always told me, Work smarter, not harder. It only took me about 40 years to grasp that fact...

I'm still waiting for the coffee too kick in, so this might not seem like a good idea after I come to life, but how do you think the guard would look Charcoal Blued ?
Reverting back to my gun days, for certain things I prefer Charcoal bluing, over rust bluing. IMHO it has a richer look than rust bluing . In my foggy mind, it seems like it would be a nice compliment with the Bog Oak , and the hamon, and I don't recall seeing many guards blued.

Just a thought. After I wake up, I will probably come back and delete this :D
 
Thanks Dave, I haven't cut it down yet because I want to get a better look with the handle rough shaped.

Patrice, these parts are still pretty "Raw" they will fit up nicely in the end. NO! on the takedown... I have enough to worry about on this one!

338375 said:
I'm jealous Ryan. Your trip sounds like it was a great one.

That looks like a lot of work. I can't fault you for "cheating" lol. My dad always told me, Work smarter, not harder. It only took me about 40 years to grasp that fact...

I'm still waiting for the coffee too kick in, so this might not seem like a good idea after I come to life, but how do you think the guard would look Charcoal Blued ?
Reverting back to my gun days, for certain things I prefer Charcoal bluing, over rust bluing. IMHO it has a richer look than rust bluing . In my foggy mind, it seems like it would be a nice compliment with the Bog Oak , and the hamon, and I don't recall seeing many guards blued.

Just a thought. After I wake up, I will probably come back and delete this :D
Click to expand...

Haha now you cant delete it Mike!
I have a Quesenberry with Blued fittings and I like them. I am not familiar with "Charcoal Bluing" I will have to do some research. I am feeling pretty good about the Silver guard and black handle though :p
 
Ryan don't get me wrong, I have no doubt that you will do a perfect fitting job.

Sorry, I was thinking that you might use alignment pins.
By raw I meant square blocks. When I use alignment pins, they are easier for me to do (hold in the vise) with square blocks than rounded parts.
 
Thanks for hanging with this thread Shawn!

Patrice, I will be using Alignment pins.
 
RyanW said:
Haha now you cant delete it Mike!
I have a Quesenberry with Blued fittings and I like them. I am not familiar with "Charcoal Bluing" I will have to do some research. I am feeling pretty good about the Silver guard and black handle though :p
Click to expand...


I waited too long :D

Now that I am coming to life, it doesn't seem like such a great idea lol. It may make it a little "dark " looking. Maybe with a lighter colored wood, it would be different. Then again, like you said, it is going to look really good with the Silver guard :thumbup:

I don't think many people do Charcoal bluing anymore. Doug Turnbull does a nice job. He also does Color Case Hardening. He works on old Winchesters, Colts and other guns. Take a peek at his website when you get some spare time. If you like guns, you will love his work. Just don't look at the prices :D They have gone up a little since I was in that circle.... His workmanship in incredible though.
 
I,m enjoying this build Ryan. Love the use of the file guide too! Thanks for mentioning that.
 
Bruce, I need to get one o them file guides!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top