Damascus + Ringed Gidgee Fighter

So very happy that that piece of wood didn't have a knot in it . You really did it justice Nick. Bruce I'm glad you like Gidgee as my mate Ray has a very special present for you when he catches up with you.
Also thanks for the tip on the True oil trick, that is what the forums is all about.
Cheers
 
PARKERKNIVES said:
So very happy that that piece of wood didn't have a knot in it . You really did it justice Nick. Bruce I'm glad you like Gidgee as my mate Ray has a very special present for you when he catches up with you.
Also thanks for the tip on the True oil trick, that is what the forums is all about.
Cheers
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Parker, You and Ray are mates? Him and Jan are coming to Walla Walla all the way from Australia at the end of the month. He's bringing some Gidgee? I love that wood! I hope they like Walla Walla sweet onions! :)
 
Yes Bruce I have known Ray for close on twenty years and helped him get started in knifemaking. He comes bearing gifts and it isn't any run of the mill piece either, I cant wait to see what you do with it. Let me know what you think when you see it.
Cheers Adam ;)
 
Nick, you have really knocked this one out, in every way. Just a perfect package, well done!
 
NickWheeler said:
I bought the damascus stud at Tandy Leather Factory... :p ;) Just kidding... I made it. I turned it on a lathe, but you don't have to have a lathe to make one.

I used to make finials without a lathe. Here's a quick run-down--- get the side that will be threaded nice and flat, then drill & tap a hole on that side (I used 8-32 which works great and just happens to be what Paul Long wants if you send him a custom stud for a sheath :) ).

Then you can put a long screw or piece of all-thread in the tapped hole (something to hang onto) and rough out your shape with the grinder and/or files. Once you get it somewhat close to being round/symmetrical, you can chuck up the all-thread in a drill. That will allow you to spin the stud against a running belt or disc and make it symmetrical and smooth.

For the inside radius, you can chuck it up in a drill press and use a sharp chainsaw file. To get a nice finish, crank the drill press up to ballz-out, and use sandpaper and shop rolls with a little oil. You'll need to rip the shop roll down to REALLY narrow strips to get into the groove (like 1/8 - 3/16" wide strips).

Don't forget the damascus needs to be hardened to get the best etch out of it.

I'm 99% sure that John White showed how he makes a finial withOUT a lathe in one of his WIPs here, and if I recall correctly, it was pretty similar to what I described above. :)

Now, if you have a lathe... you can do cool things like make groove cutting bits, radius turning gizmos, or like I did with this stud--- use a 4 jaw chuck and turn a round part from a square bar of damascus. ;) :D
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Makes sense, thanks man.
 
Thanks again folks--- this kind of positive reinforcement is definitely a motivator for me! :)

Adam- so I have a feeling you are to thank for the exhibition grade piece of Ringed Gidgee I got after the issue that came up when I was making Lorien's knife??? :)

Joe- thanks my friend, I'm glad you like it! The fluting+scallops are definitely something I picked up from seeing pics of Samuel Lurquin and Jason Knight knives. Doing the scallops is pretty painless for me, but to file and clean-up the flute (and try to keep it completely consistent in width and depth) can be a real bugger!

But I felt it would be worth the effort because the fancy stars and swirls are hiding deep in a twisted Ws billet... so grinding and filing into the billet brings them out to light. :)



FWIW- I know this knife is "too busy" for a lot of folks' taste. Which I understand/respect, but one thing I would point out is that is you pare this knife down to just a silhouette, it is pretty much a typical fighter from me. :)
 
I'm really liking this knife Nick. The whole thing but you showed great conrtol over the damascus pattern. Well done.
 
the knife is great, shame about the design of the guard is drowning in the blade
 
Yes Nick I sent over the other piece. I know these things happen and it isn't any ones fault but I thought fares fare. The block I have sent Bruce is off the same bigger piece as yours so you should both be happy I think ;). Thanks for passing it on too Mark, I am hoping to have some outstanding Tasmanian Blackwood soon. Outstanding knife to Nick, the Damascus is out of this world.
Cheers Adam.
 
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Adam, that was way above and beyond! I tried to refuse it back when Mark told me about it, but the tricky sucker had already put it in the mail. Thank you both! I have that piece in the shop next to a couple pieces of Koa... where I can just enjoy looking at them.

That piece you sent is hands down the best piece of Ringed Gidgee I have ever seen. Thank you!!! :)
 
That's ok mate, I thought it might sit on a desk or shelf somewhere for looking at, Mark did the same for a while. It is one of the best pieces I have seen, colour contrast and depth are awesome. Not often we Aussies send our best Gidgee over but I still have a few blocks for myself and you and Bruce will do it justice:thumbup:
 
Ha ha Keith, if you have a special order we might be able to come to some arrangement $$$, but it won't last for ever and I don't know of anyone cutting it at the moment.
 
Kickass knife. The speed at which you are developing your leather skils is ridiculous.
 
Ok Nick I am adding myself to this thread cause I can't describe the knife I would like to own from better than just referencing this thread.
 
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