Clay coated tanto picture

Ravenclaw,

DYNAMITE looking blade. What kind of steel did you use and what polishing method?

Really looks great. Keep at it.

GaryB
 
wow, very impressive. i like the fact that there is so much contrast between the hardened and non-hardened.
 
Thanks all!

I used 1084 for the steel (it is my favorite type). I tried to get a look on the polish as close to traditional as I could without using stones as I don't have them yet. I started with 220 grit and worked up to 2000 grit all by hand. Then I took the used up 2000 grit to rub even more. Then I etched it in ferric chloride solution for about 5 minutes. Then I used several types of rubbing compound to finish getting rid of the scratches. I used simichrome last with a piece of leather. Finally, I finished it by rubbing it hard with clean leather (buckskin).

I used satanite for the clay. There are some good articles on this at swordforum.com
Look in the online magazines for Randal Graham. They were a big help to me. I put a very thin coat of satanite on the whole blade letting it dry and then put a thicker coat on the spine down about 2/3's and created the pattern that shows up. I did scrape the spine clean and created the little pattern on it also. Total thickness of the clay on the blade was about 3/16" on the thick part, the edge just had the light coat. I used 5 gallons of tap water to quench it in. I heated it to about 110F and submerged it in the water edge first and kept it as still as posible. I did a 3X draw at 425F for an hour each time letting it cool to room temp before the next cycle.

Not sure when I am going to get this one finished as this one I am making for me and have other commitments to get done. I do have the habaki (copper collar) about 50% done for it though. When I do get it finished I will post some pictures of it.
Ravenclaw
 
Ravenclaw,
that's a pretty sweet temperline, I was wondering if you would be willing to do any for a comission??? I have 2 tantos and 2 japanese style baldes that would look awesome with a temper line. They are made of ATS-34? what do you think?
Thanks
Chuck

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A Knife is no more than an Iron Tooth

 
soory, but you can't put a temper line on ats-34, it's air hardening. only carbon steels with take a temper line.
 
Ravenclaw, what kind of clay did you use on the edge while tempering?? That is gorgeous!!! I wonder if it would work on L6????? Take care! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
Sorry, can't do stainless type steels. They have to be carbon. I used Satanite for the clay and it should work for L-6 (at least that is what some of the sword smiths I know say).
Ravenclaw
 
Ravenclaw,

Gorgeous blade. Is that one stock ground or forged?

I saw your pics of the Howard Clark sword on swordforums. Are you going to try something similiar?
 
It is forged. I quit doing stock removal when I switched over to high carbon steels. I like them a lot better than stainless. Once I get the equipment (which is going to be a while), I am going to try my hand at swords. I need to get a low temp and high temp salt bath first so I can control the temps better. I can get fairly consistant temps in my forge for blades 10 inches or less, but thats that max size.
Ravenclaw
 
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