Cherry wood handle

[Terry_Dodson]

here are some pics of the Cherry wood handle that i stained with the vinegar i had etched some blades in:

http://community.webshots.com/album/147325784ucUmen

if that link doesnt work try this one:
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/te...m/ph//my_photos

the blade is 1095 steel, cut out mostly with hack saw with bi-metal blade and using my Sears 2x42 belt grinder, clay coated (furnace cement from lowes), brought to temp in my coffee can forge with a temp meter in it, soaked for about 10 minutes at temp, quenched in oil over water (brine-water, dawn dish detergent, salt, about 3 inches of veggie oil on top), scraped off the left over clay, wiped off the oil. temepered twice for 2 hours at 400 degrees. sanded to 320 grit. the hamon is starting to show fairly well. The cherry wood was stained with vinegar that had etched some blades, the wood turned solid black, i sanded some off to show the brown underneath (isnt cherry supposed to be red?). 3 coats of tung oil. there are 3 tapped holes in the tang and i used 8/32 cap screws so the handle is removable. the sheath is a Gill Hibben 3 thrower sheath, i took it apart and took out the extra pieces so this blade would fit in it and resewn it with waxed thread. i hope yall like it.

 

[J. Neilson]

Pretty Cool. I like the handle shape.

 

[peter nap]

That's pretty neat Terry. I've always said that the equipment just makes it easier. It's the talent, work and imagination of the maker that makes the knife.

BTW...Throw some steel filings or finish (uncoated) nails in your vinegar and allow it to stand for a few weeks.
Paint your cherry with it and let it dry overnight.
Then use a heat gun on it and you won't believe the beautiful shade of red you get.
If you just want a lighter cherry color, paint it with plain vinegar, let it dry and heat it.

Nice knife...the work shows!