Combo Embellishment Help Needed

B

baymktg

Joined
Feb 5, 2009
Messages
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I have problem with actually the seeing the esthetics of things. What do you guys thinks of combining in a knife scale different metals? For example, silver wire inlays, brass pins and even a brass lanyard tube. I'm sorry if this seems like a dumb question, but even though I can do some artistic stuff, I have a real problem with this. So what is acceptable? Do they all have to be the same?
 
Actually seeing the knife or at least a drawing would greatly help. However, As an engraver, I would suggest using argentium silver as well as copper --- brass is very differcult to inlay. Also. there is always gold --- but costly. If you can furnish a picture, I can help you with ideas. ken
 
I guess my question wasn't clear. I'm speaking of the actually usage of the colors of different metals together in the same knife.
 
I have seen a few pieces with different materials used that turned out quite well but I think they are the exception rather than the rule. I try to stick with one type of metal on my handle accents.

SDS
 
Ken, I Googled you from a previous post and was really impressed with your work. I'm really embarrassed that I said that I had some ability myself. In comparison to your talents, forget that I even made that statement.
 
I think it could look cool as long as one "color" is predominant, with the other being just an accent. For instance, 2 pins and a thong tube of N/S or SS, with a mostly brass mosaic pin in the center could look nice. In your idea with contrasting inlay and pins, I think it would look best if the pins were small, maybe with the inlay scrolling around the pins. Then use a thong tube that matches the inlay so it doesn't clash too much.

When in doubt, less is more. For instance, more than 2 mosaic pins looks too "busy" to my eye. As you can tell, I'm just thinking out loud. It's really just a matter of taste.
 
Take a look at a website that has fancy custom knives like www.knifeart.com to get an idea of how different metals are combined. Titanium bolsters are often colored in blues and greens, gold may be yellow, red ,green ,white.My mother had beautiful jewelry from Peru combining different colors of gold. Argentium silver is very tarnish resistant unlike standard silver. Stainless steel, plain titanium , nickel silver , and silver have there own grey tones. Copper alloys range from very red pure copper to the very yellow of yellow brass.
So yes colors may be combined but it's up to the craftsman to make it an attractive combination !
 
BAYMNTG ---- Please, I'm the newby here. I assure you that you are more informed than I about knife making. Your kind words however are most appreciated & show that, you Sir are a true gentleman and I thank you for that.
 
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