Curly Maple Belt Knife {sheath added}

[BenR.T.]

This is a belt knife I just finished up. The curly maple is some of the best I have seen, and just looks holographic when moved!
The blade is L6, with hammer texture and some simple file work on the spine. The OAL is 8 3/8", with a little over a 4" blade.
The pins are copper.
Let me know what you think!!

 

[rasret01]

You're right, that is great looking maple! My favorite wood. Very nice knife.

Dick

 

[Bill Hoffman]

Hey Ben,

What do you use to get the great coloration out of your curly
maple?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[daizee]

Love that blade shape, Ben!
(yeah, that maple is sweet, what do you do to it?)

-Daizee

 

[BenR.T.]

Thanks guys.

I died the maple with fieblings light brown leather dye, buffed with 0000 steel wool, and then sealed it with 2 coats of Tung oil.
I normally use Teak oil, but I tried the Tung oil on this one and it came out really nice. It dries a bit harder and shinier than the Teak oil.

 

[Bill Hoffman]

Thanks.
+1 on the tung. I use waterlox. Good tip on the
Fiebings.
Bill

 

[Matt Brook]

That copper goes great with the curly maple. Nice knife Ben!

 

[BackWoodsPuppy]

That's really cool! Love the red stain on the maple.

 

[knifesmoke]

Thanks for showing! I love the shape and everything else about the knife!
Cheers,
Oliver

 

[chainring]

Very nice.

 

[james terrio]

Great design. I agree, the copper and stain look really nice together. Sweet blade finish and filework, too. Homerun baby! :thumbup:

 

[BenR.T.]

Thanks again guys!
I just added a couple pics of the sheath.