Damascus Camp Knife WIP

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Burt .. are you doing the propane treatment to the tang as well? I just want to know the hardness of the tang .. is the tang is having a 50 RC or a 58 RC or another different hardness?

In your opinion, which one is good for the tang .. 50 RC (i.e. same hardness with the tang) or 58 RC (i.e. same hardness with the edge) or a different hardness (i.e. defferent from the hardness at the tang or the edge)?
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Mohd, yes, that's done to the tang, too. I don't think it probably makes any difference if I draw the tang back or not, but as there's no reason for the tang to be that hard, so I do it.

Is see it as more a superb gentleman's machete.
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Yep, that exactly what it is. This knife was built for a guy who intends to use it, so we may get to see some "in use" photos down the road.
 
I really enjoyed this one:thumbup:

this particular type of design, (golok/dao influenced) is currently my favored design for bush use and trail work. Don't need much of a point, and a gently sweeping curve to the edge is ideal. The benefit of having almost no point, is to be able to use the tool as a draw knife, and for batoning largish planks for decking bridges. I still like a distal taper on this type of design in order to keep the tip of the blade maneuverable.

Over a year ago, I talked with Burt about making one of these guys for me, and unfortunately I ran out of disposable income, which would have seen the project through.

Seeing these tools come out of your shop, Burt, and especially as a 'work in progress' is very gratifying for me. I can at least enjoy the knife vicariously:).

I'm very glad to see this design take hold. Although I have yet to see the new Rambo movie, I understand there is an underlying cultural movement underway backing up practical bush knives, such as this wonderful example.

Let's see a Blue Collar version, eh?;)
 
Just joined, I'm nobody. I have just a small home shop.
But thank you, yet again, for taking the time to post this WIP.

It's not the style of knife or the perfection of the components, its the art of the eye and hand that fascinates.
 
I'm a fan of it all... the knife, the materials, and the thread.

Burt Foster is one of my heroes. :cool:

To me, calling that a machete is like calling a 4lb. sledge a precision technical instrument (but the other end of the spectrum ;) ).
 
That is gorgeous!!

Does drawing the spine out as opposed to doing a clay coat counter the light/dark effect you get when etching a differentially-treated damascus blade? (I hope that made sense). :D
 
Just wanted to add my thanks Burt. After seeing that steel I can't believe I was going to go with a plain steel on my next knife from you! I wonder how I can get the boss to OK more OT!

You always seem to get more than you expect from Burt (even though expectations run pretty high!), and for me, this thread was just another example.
 
Does drawing the spine out as opposed to doing a clay coat counter the light/dark effect you get when etching a differentially-treated damascus blade?
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If you differentially harden the blade, you'll get a line when etching it, and on damascus, I prefer to not have that line getting in the way of the pattern.

If you through-harden the blade and then draw back the spine, and then etch the blade, you'll still see a line, just not quite as noticable as the first example.

If you through-harden the blade, etch it till you're happy with it, then draw the spine, and just etch one more time, then there's no line.

Of course, you are tempering the whole blade a couple times somewhere in there. I don't want it to sound like I leave the edge full-hard. I don't.
 
Burt, you're a marvel...
Your skills and individuality combine to make you one of the most interesting people I know. This thread has shown this in so many ways. Thanks for walking all of us through your journey with this project!



RogerP said:
Me too - in fact, I hope to try my hand at making something in this basic design for my next piece. Only it will be carbon with a clay quench and wood scales.
Roger
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I am SO in on this! Let's make a pair!
 
Burt Thank You ...The definitive WIP thread and I really like this design its the butcher whacker splitter in me
No ivory checking there
That looks like some of the Ivory Core coming through
we saw that on Keiths Sub Hilt from Russ
 
Matthew Gregory said:
Burt, you're a marvel...
Your skills and individuality combine to make you one of the most interesting people I know. This thread has shown this in so many ways. Thanks for walking all of us through your journey with this project!
I am SO in on this! Let's make a pair!
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Very true.
Does anyone know of ANYTHING Burt doesn't do exceptional well?

In addition to the knife, putting the whole thread together, how about the quality of the final knife photos? :thumbup:
 
Burt Foster said:
If you differentially harden the blade, you'll get a line when etching it, and on damascus, I prefer to not have that line getting in the way of the pattern.

If you through-harden the blade and then draw back the spine, and then etch the blade, you'll still see a line, just not quite as noticable as the first example.

If you through-harden the blade, etch it till you're happy with it, then draw the spine, and just etch one more time, then there's no line.

Of course, you are tempering the whole blade a couple times somewhere in there. I don't want it to sound like I leave the edge full-hard. I don't.
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Thanks -- I'll try this method next time I do a damascus blade. :)
 
Kevin Jones said:
In addition to the knife, putting the whole thread together, how about the quality of the final knife photos? :thumbup:
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Indeed - there are few makers as talented with a camera - it's a REALLY good skill to have.

Matt - you're on - a collaborative matched pair would be my suggestion.

Roger
 
How the heck did this thread get pushed back two pages so quickly?

This should be a sticky, if you ask me-

BUMP!
 
I'll second the sticky. A Burt Foster WIP? Come on!

I have learned from this thread so much, and probably so has everyone else. :thumbup:
 
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The collector who commissioned this knife told me that the knife would actually get use. Over the years, I've had a lot of people say that and the vast majority will tell you later that they just couldn't bring themselves to do it. Well, this is not one of those...

I got an email from the proud new owner this morning. I'll print his text below and link to a slideshow of some photos he took.

Burt -

As promised, here are some pictures of the blade in action making short work of our old Xmas tree. That pine was not hard, but it was full of sap. However, the combination of your blade and the skilled user cruised thru the task. I spent a few minutes with WD-40 later that evening removing the pine sap and wood funk. The knife performed flawlessly. A little stropping and it was back to shaving sharp.

It was very comfortable to hold and swing. The knife absorbed a lot of vibrations. I always remember that some of my other hard knives transferred too much of the impact. Maybe is the "softer" spine. Regardless of the reason, it is the best blade I have ever used. Once the weather gets better, I will be out there cleaning out the backyard with gusto.

Best,

Antonio

http://spaces.live.com/PhotomailViewer.aspx?path=/photomail/{54bd261c-4f46-4c83-8b7d-d25077db7f1a}&image=E14668721B71F420!136&imagehi=E14668721B71F420!134&CID=-2213967327510006752
 
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