Custom Thai E-Nep - Test/and some good news

[Santi]

E-Nep is a traditional Thai blade tool.

The problem is, generally the native smith is lacking of the heat-treating know-how.

Devilki (one of BFC Member) has spent months supervised them. And finally came up a high quality blade that I'm goinh to post the test pics later.

 

[Santi]

First off is to try a joint (which is the hardest part) of a big 'n' old bamboo.

Then some cattle's bones

 

[Santi]

A flex test . . .

That's the most the guy could do before the blade bend back to true.


NOTE: PLEASE DONT DO THAT AT HOME, IT'S DANGEROUS.

 

[Santi]

That's should be more than enough for a general utility blade for us.

But then Devilki sent the balde to a Master Mr. Tai Goo . . . to test.

I really like the balance for chopping and design on the E-nep.

The knife does not have edge keen enough to shave with, but they were sharp enough for chopping. The edges were rough, not smooth. I think if they use a finer grit stone and a strop of buffing wheel it will help. Sharpening is really the user's responsibility,... but the sharper the maker's edge, the more impressive the knives will be.

I noticed some figuring in the blade, so I decided to give it a quick dip in some ferric chloride (acid enchant) and look what popped up. It's a wonderful quench line (hamon)! I would like to find out more about the heat treating that was used. Did he learn this from his father?

I will study the knives some more. I plan to re-sharpen them and test the full length of the edges. So far though,... the heat treating seems O.K

Thanks,
Tai

AND . . .

I tested the hardness of the blade with a file and it seemed fine.

I flexed the blade about ten degrees in a vice and it sprung back to straight,... good!

I also jammed the point through a steel barrel with no damage to the point,... good.

Tai

 

[spyken]

Santi, I got to order me one of those. They look plain awesome. Bottom one with the shaped handles is just mind blowing. I have to get that one.

 

[Santi]

More comments . . .

Did the smith use clay along the back? Here's another shot of the "hamon". I've showed it to another smith and we never saw anything like it!

Thanks,
Tai

AND . . .

Not knowing the exact steel alloy and what the smiths expected them to do, they both were acceptable. Neither one showed any serious flaws or defects. My advice to the smiths is to just keep doing what they are doing and keep testing their blades.

 

[Santi]

And . . . the last one . . .

I had some students here last night for the full moon. We did some forging and knife testing. I let them test the E-nep! They were very impressed with the E-nep. We think we might make some E-neps sometime.

Tai had a magical Thai blade that he brought out...

It had a most intriguing hamon...

Tai buries the Thai deep into the wood...

Steve takes a turn...

 

[Santi]

Thanks for looking!

 

[RogerP]

Interesting reading and impressive looking blades - thanks!

Roger

 

[Broos]

Cool blade & nice pics!

 

[Grime]

I want one...

 

[SharpByCoop]

It's cosmic! :thumbup:

Thanks Santi. What a nice thread to learn from.

Coop

 

[Keith Montgomery]

It would be great to hear from Devilki about his part in the making of these knives.

I really like what I see.

 

[untamed]

So rewarding to hear how the tried-and-true designs from our side of the world are appreciated by those who really USE their knives.

 

[Santi]

It would be great to hear from Devilki about his part in the making of these knives.

I really like what I see.

Keith,
I'll let Devilki know about this.


And thanks everyone for the kind words.



BTW: Mr.Tai already started his own version of the Thai E-Nep

Pic taken from his web-site:

More pics on On The Bench at http://www.taigoo.com/

 

[echo-7]

Where can we by one from Thailand? Thanks Mike

 

[Devilki]

Sorry for lately.

Thanks Bros. thanks for all kind of yours.

Keith,
I'm just a little part of making. I suggest them about simple way of heattreatment process. Almost of the smiths in my country, they have never known about heat treatment. They have known only the hardening. And we ( I and my friend) choose the clay hardening and oil quench for the leaf spring truck.

I have to say thank you for Tai Goo , for his time of kindness.

Now my smith , Bun Hom , he can make the real knife not the steel looks like the blade.

Here's the new after development of Handle.

 

[ronin_47]

:thumbup:

 

[Tai Goo]

We had a few issues with the handle to work out, but nothing serious. I did a little pimping to it and it was just dandy! A bit of epoxy here and there, a quick dip in some acid to show the quench line, a pin through the tang and some wrapping to cover it up, that's all. That's seasoned ironwood I tested it out on!

...And with great honor,... that E-nep now rests in my personal display case where I will keep it with pleasure, and treasure it always!

 

[jamaljahda]

Iknow this is resurrecting a old thread I just want to know how to have one commissioned for myself. How do I place an order