milesofalaska
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2010
- Messages
- 514
Hunter skinner blade. Weighs 5 ounces. Has 6 inch cutting edge and is 1 ½ inches wide. 1/8th thick. Steel originates from some of the best Damascus on the market by Tony Matsala, known for his very original approach to steel working. I ground out his steel to my design. Unsure how technical to get . I forged copper and bronze into the steel just before heat treatment. I normalized the steel. I edge hardened the blade with a torch and used a special oil mix. Dropped the temperature from 1,500 degrees to 900 in less than one second (this step would normally crack the steel- but I stop the process and only the edge has been heated .) then put in a preheated kiln at 400 for a slow drop from 900 degrees to 400, then slower drop to room temp, then super cold. Then tempered at 400 degrees 3 times for 2 hours each. This process gives an extra hard edge, a soft back for blade strength and no stress in the steel. This blade is more than just decorative, but will hold up well if used.
The art. I acid etched the design by hand one of a kind drawing. I masked the drawing etch with wax when doing the Damascus etch. I make it sound easy . Keep in mind I have been referred to as a gifted artist since I was 5 years old,- over 50 years ago. This blade came out especially well very one of a kind, the best I have done in my opinion. R K tony5 411 Asking $375
The theme is 'things that hide in the forest'. One side is a fawn, and the other side an owl. One hides in the trees, the other on the ground. Since this is a hunter style skinner knife the message is to look around, wildlife - beauty and food is all around.
Another blade------
Hefty camp - bowie knife Blade 8 inches long x 2 wide x 1/8th thick. Steel is among the best on the market. Damascus created by Tony Matsala. Design and shaped by me. Might make a good kitchen knife except a bit heavy. A 'hunter and his prey' theme. One side has a mountain lion with his track. The other side a fawn trying to hide in the foliage. Copper forged into the steel looks like flecks of blood. Design came out nice. Deep crisp etchings with no flaws - overall blade came out about perfect. Edge hard, back soft. This blade can be put to heavy use. The artwork will not be damaged. R K tony4 411. This blade capable of being part of a multi thousand dollar knife. Buy the blade have a custom knife maker put the handle of your choice on it, or your materials. $420
Another blade
Utility knife kitchen knife. Over all length 8 ½ inches blade is 5 inches x 1 ½ wide x 1/16th thick (a thin flexible blade). This is semi high carbon 1084 steel. Edge hardened back loft - edge extra hard but blade still flexible. Nothing really fancy - good utility knife. The etching is deep will stay needs no care. A water bird theme a shorebird like yellowlegs on one side the heron on the other side. Perhaps a boat knife or outdoor around the water but can be just a nice kitchen knife. R K 1084 birds 411. $75.
All these blades are best dealt with on my web site- here is the link to the page with these blades.
http://www.milesofalaska.net/Custom_knives/blank_blades.html
There are more pictures other blank blades a pay pal link- how to contact me other methods of payments etc. Also on this page are answers to questions like how blades are done, how heat treated etc. I have some functional knifes costing less, but still custom and , as well as more artistic meant to be high end collector items. Seeing if there is an interest in blank blades.. (?) If they do not sell I will use them myself and get the add on value of the finished knife. My wonder if is those who want a unique knife might seek out a blade and have it put together by their favorite maker using materials of her choice or their own material. Or knife makers who see potential for these blades as something you can put your handle on and make some money with. Let me know your thoughts. Miles
