Custom Knife Display Stands - Don Hanson Bowie Stand done

mwschilling said:
I appreciate the comments about my office. I apologize. I shouldn't have posted a photo of where these stands were to be displayed. I do still have a questions about lighting and heat on materials.
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How about lights from the ceiling, like they do for fine art work?
 
Ornate, that was the word I couldn't recall! If you like it (and it helps persuade your wife that knives really are art) that's want matters!! I hadn't considered that the figure would fade out when viewed from room distance. The scorched maple stands out from further away and it was that which I noticed most. I am something of a figured wood addict, it was what drew me making knives in the first place, and I hear you about wanting to go all out on something you are making, getting to put a gorgeous piece of wood to work. :D

There may also be something to be said in favour of how you presented the walnut, with the widest face uppermost, so causing a shadow to form under and around it. I don't know what it is called, but you see the same thing done to give definition on wood turning and cabinet work to pull the eye away from the base.

What did you use to set the malachite and brass into the holes? Epoxy? Was it difficult to get a flush finish over them?
 
Mark, If the shelves are open front and you get good air circulation. The lites up near the ceiling would be far enough away. The mirror idea comes from my curio cabinet experience in a former life. That would allow a visual of the back side of the knife. Just my thoughts.

mwschilling
I just received an email from Bing cautioning me on putting LED lights in the bookshelves. He had a bad experience with shrinkage on a mammoth folder that was under glass at a museum and lit by small LED. He suggested using mirrors to bring in light, which I think is a good idea. Anyone have suggestions on lighting that does not emit heat? Is there such a thing?
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In my case I was relying on the art show staff @ the museum. To set up the displays. I knew they were displaying the folder in a glass case ( which had zero air circulating ). One of the set up people decided to put the lite inside the case. During the set up time I was out of town for almost 2 weeks. When I went to see the art show and discovered the error. As much my fault as anybody's. Hard lesson learned.

The display stands are fantastic. Well done my friend. Excited to see more.

Bing
 
C_Claycomb said:
What did you use to set the malachite and brass into the holes? Epoxy? Was it difficult to get a flush finish over them?
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I used CA (super) glue. Was it difficult? It was a royal PITA. It is messy and ugly before taking a belt sander to the rock hard (literally) material to sand flush. I did four slabs of various sizes and doubt I'll do any more.



 
Great ideas and execution on these stands. I like both presentations in the op, but lean toward the sheath supported by the tine above the knife. Beautiful displays, knives and environment!
 
I love to see creative displays

I miss the days of having a Katana display on my coffee table :)

Now to many kids in and out of my house so I have had to move displays into my office bedroom

The displays have kinda badly mixed together
 
I like the 2nd and 3rd stands the best. The 1st has too much antler which overpowers the knife, IMHO.

Tim
 
Thank you for all the kind words and critique. I hope to find time this weekend to complete a few more.
 
I think your work is great, but I find the inclusion of the sheath distracting. My suggestion is to simply display the knife alone on one of your lovely stands. Just a thought.
 
Here is the fourth stand made for a Walrus ivory hunter by Jerry McClure. Used another piece of driftwood (I love this stuff for display stands) and a small base of an antler. Added a walnut base because the driftwood is unstable on its own.




I also modified the stand I did for JR Cook's Stag hunter. I added a walnut base as well as a small antler base as the blade rest.



 
I finished stand number five for a Mike Williams mammoth hunter. I used another piece of gnarly black driftwood that I think really shows off the ivory mammoth, although these photos don't do it justice. I started off showing the reverse side just to be different but then changed it up to show the presentation side. Then I changed it again. In the final version I added another antler cut-off and raise the handle. Now I think I like the first version better. Let me know if I made the right decision or which you think better displays this knife.


First Version, reverse side blade down.




Second version, I cut off the forked antler and turned the knife around to presentation side with handle down and blade resting in antler stump.



Third version, I added the forked antler to raise the handle, still presentation side with blade in antler stump (button)



 
I arranged the first of the display stands in my office. I like how they turned out. Better than keeping them stored away.



 
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