David Wesner - modified "Gus" model camp knife - WIP- Coop pics added!

[David Wesner]

David

It would be great if you brought this knife to Troy -- with Roger's blessing of course. I am sure I am not the only one that would like to see this knife in person -- and taken apart.

Brian

I think I'm going to do that Brian :thumbup:


Thanks again for posting

 

[tedinatl]

This knife is turning out to be a real masterpiece! Can't wait for the conclusion when you get back. Thanks for taking the time to post this WIP, and the explanations.

All the best in Troy! I'm sure you'll be fine!

 

[RoyalM]

Great looking blade, while I agree it's a fine piece it looks like it needs to be used at least once.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

So now I have all of my components fit and rough finished.

)

Man, I'm digging this. Some relatively unique approaches to the art from a point of view well aligned to my own. Very cool stuff here.

I got a good laugh at your "knife milling machine" description. I'll bet a lot of people don't understand the skill required to do what you're doing here.

 

[David Wesner]

This knife is turning out to be a real masterpiece! Can't wait for the conclusion when you get back. Thanks for taking the time to post this WIP, and the explanations.

All the best in Troy! I'm sure you'll be fine!

Thanks tedinatl :thumbup: Your wait is over my friend, it's time to get back to work on this beauty
And I have a bunch of pics to add.

And thanks for the "Good Luck in Troy" ......... that goes out to everybody.
I'd like to think everyone's good vibes helped me pass that test

Great looking blade, while I agree it's a fine piece it looks like it needs to be used at least once.

Oh Boy !! I'm feeling that way too RoyalM !!

At Rogers request, I'm going to give this baby a good thrashing before I etch and finish.

And I'll most definitely document that in pictures

 

[David Wesner]

Man, I'm digging this. Some relatively unique approaches to the art from a point of view well aligned to my own. Very cool stuff here.

Thanks Nathan :thumbup: Any compliment from you in regards to machining makes my day.

You are, IMHO, the master machinist here !

Since doing this "unique approach" as you call it (Thanks BTW) I've been doing the head slap for not having thought of it sooner It should have been so obvious !

I was talking with JS Brian Thie at the Mid-America Bladesmithing Expo in Troy about the design and we've already came up with V.2 ......... at least the concept anyway. I have to see if the math will work out first
The V.2 concept being, where the handle meets the spacer, rather than a boss on the backside of the spacer that fits into the handle pocket, the detail is reversed. In that the backside of the spacer would essentially be made like a ferrule. With the handle sliding into, rather than over the backside of the spacer.

This is almost embarrassing but I wish I would have had more sleep prior to talking with Brian at the show. After an ~ 13 hour drive, followed by a very late night, then the adrenaline rush of passing my performance test ........... I was having a very hard time keeping my eye's open :fatigue: Sorry Brian
I don't know if you've met Brian or not, but IMHO he's a brilliant knifemaker !

Thanks for everything that weekend Brian :thumbup:

I got a good laugh at your "knife milling machine" description. I'll bet a lot of people don't understand the skill required to do what you're doing here.

Unfortunate but true. I just look at it as another way of accomplishing the task.

It could turn into a mighty funky argument if we had to draw a line in regards to what tools we can and can't use to make a knife :hurt:

Thanks for posting Nathan It's always more interesting when you're hangin around :thumbup:

 

[David Wesner]

OK, since my last post I've done some sanding and refining of the lines all the way around.

Here's a couple of pics

Before I could really start the finishing process, (etching and handle finish) I first needed to harden and temper the Damascus guard, spacer, finial nut, and finial nut washer.

These guys here .............

Since everything fits so close, I want to be very careful about potential pitting, and especially warping of any kind.

To prevent pitting I'm going to austenitize in a foil envelope.

To prevent any warping or movement I'm dropping my austenitizing temperature down just a bit (to 1475*F), and quenching in a little slower oil than the Parks 50.
I'll be using McMaster Carr High Speed Quenchant for this, which I've found to be noticeably slower than the Parks 50.

Here's the foil envelope with all of the goodies safely tucked away from any oxygen that could cause pitting.

 

[RogerP]

Handle is looking real nice. Can't wait to see some pics of you beating on it.

Roger

 

[David Wesner]

I want to explain my theory when it comes to the choices I made regarding hardening and tempering of the fittings.

As most everyone here knows, you can certainly etch Damascus without hardening and tempering.
IMHO though, it always seems to etch cleaner and sharper when it's been hardened and tempered.
So that's what I do

IMHO, I don't think it's necessary to go "blade hard" for the fitting (58-60 HRC). If I loose a few points due to the lower austenitizing temperature and a bit slower quenchant that's ok.
Due to time constraints I don't ever use a foil envelope when austenitizing my oil quench steel forged blades.
It just takes too long to get the blade out of the foil and into the quenchant, to beat the pearlite nose for the steels I use.
Having said that, I've developed some modified techniques when oil quenching fittings while using a foil envelope.

First thing is work fast !!

Second thing is to have everything ready and in place when that time comes. After the soak I'll pull the packet out of my kiln, very quickly snip the end of the foil pack off, then dump the contents into my quenchant. I put a piece of steel screen into my tank to soften the fall and give me the ability to agitate the parts until cool.

Here's a pic of the Quench Tank I keep my McMaster Carr Oil in, along with the screen I'll be using.........

And here's the screen in position ............

So here we go, into the pre-heated kiln for about 10 minutes ......................

And like I said.......... I have everything in place and ready for the quench

 

[David Wesner]

And here's the series of pictures showing the quenching process of the fittings.

I'm moving so fast it's a blur

Nice and hard, no warps or pitting, and everything fits just as nice as before it went in.

I think they came out perfect !!

So it's into the tempering oven for an hour x 2

And that's where we're at, dinner time, 9/6/2011 :thumbup:

 

[David Wesner]

Handle is looking real nice. Can't wait to see some pics of you beating on it.

Roger

Oh she's a comfy one too Roger :thumbup:


In regards to beating on it ??? I bet ya I can't wait more than you




:thumbup:

 

[xaman]

Great stuff David, thanks for all the details. I'm learning...

 

[Redsnake1997]

I LOVE this one!! I think this overall design is fantastic... and if Roger doesn't have any objection, can you PM me what you'd charge to work up a twin piece like this for me?

 

[ScottRoush]

Looking great David!

 

[RogerP]

I LOVE this one!! I think this overall design is fantastic... and if Roger doesn't have any objection, can you PM me what you'd charge to work up a twin piece like this for me?

I wouldn't have the slightest objection - I hope Dave gets to make a bunch of these.

Roger

 

[Mike Quesenberry]

WOW! What a great WIP. I'm thoroughly impressed with the way you tackle knifemaking, precision of a machinist combined with the flow of an artist. A perfect combination in my opinion:thumbup:. Great job, David.

 

[stabber]

Incredible job on the Fittings!! She sure is lookin good David:thumbup:

I love the way you did the Diamond shape part under the locking nut!!:thumbup:

 

[David Wesner]

Great stuff David, thanks for all the details. I'm learning...

Thanks Eli in regards to the details, you're very welcome.

I'm actually enjoying this very much too :thumbup:

Shoot man, you've been around here so long I'll bet you already know a lot of this stuff

 

[David Wesner]

I LOVE this one!! I think this overall design is fantastic... and if Roger doesn't have any objection, can you PM me what you'd charge to work up a twin piece like this for me?

Thank you very much Redsnake.

We'll most definitely talk

 

[David Wesner]

Looking great David!

Thanks Scott

You'll have to get out here again soon so you can hold this bad boy before it leaves for home :thumbup: