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

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What a beautiful knife Roger. I love the grinds and that Koa is on fire.

David-thanks for the tip about removing the air space from the TruOil bottle. I refinish gun stocks for friends and end with TruOil. I always wondered how I could prevent those pesky bottle blobs!
 
David, don't ask me where I've been, but I have a question. Do you sand or steel-wool between coats of tru-oil? I hope I didn't miss something.

Thanks,

Robert
 
To everyone who has posted throughout this thread, Thank you so much :thumbup: :thumbup:

You've all been too kind :thumbup:


Robert Dark said:
David, don't ask me where I've been, but I have a question. Do you sand or steel-wool between coats of tru-oil? I hope I didn't miss something.

Thanks,

Robert
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Hi Robert, Thanks for stopping by :thumbup:

I very lightly sand between coats using 2000 grit paper.

And fwiw,I keep my paper wetted using the Tru-Oil, not H2O.

Roger asked that the finish on this handle not look like it was still wet. The finish is deep with a satin like sheen to it.



:thumbup:
 
Folks, I truly apologize for the pictures :o

They are not at all a good representation of the true beauty in this knife.

I'm crying "Uncle" in regards to getting a good image of this knife :grumpy:

After I post these, and finish the cool little Damascus Take-Down tool this knife will be my first to go out for Professional Photographs.
It's about time don't ya think :rolleyes: ;)

And just for the record, I'll dig this post back up to show them :D

A little explanation before I post.
Roger asked that the handle be finished so that it didn't look like it was still wet and that the Damascus be finished bright, removing most or all of the black oxides. Exactly how I would have wanted it too ;) :thumbup:


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So there you have it :)


Roger, Thank you so much for your patience and your confidence in my skills as a knifemaker.

My photography skills ????? Well :o I'll be working on that ;)

Until then, I think I'm going to let Coop (Jim Cooper of SharpByCoop) handle it from here :thumbup:

Coop, I'll be calling on ya in the next day or so :thumbup:


Thanks again guys :thumbup:
 
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Oh man, you knocked this one out of the park! That is absolutely gorgeous.

And I can't wait to really see it, so don't forget to post the pro pics please :)
 
Eli got it right - staright out of the park! Excellent work my friend. I know you put everything and then some into this piece - and it shows - even in the non-pro pics. The overall design is rock solid - which description also applies to the whole takedown assembly. The damascus for both blade and fittings looks terrific, and judging from the pics, I'd say you really made the most of what mother nature gave you in that piece of Koa. I am jumping outta my skin to get my mits on this piece! I know Coop will give us all an even better look, and my eagernesss notwithstanding, I am content that he take as much time as he needs to do so.

You've got a standing ovation from me David!

Roger
 
xaman said:
Oh man, you knocked this one out of the park! That is absolutely gorgeous.

And I can't wait to really see it, so don't forget to post the pro pics please :)
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Thank you Eli. You've been with me on this build from the beginning.
Now that I think about it, you've actually been with me as a knifemaker since the beginning too ;)

For both, I thank you from the bottom of my heart :thumbup:

Some of what I consider, the best times of my life, and the best people in my life, can be found right here on BladeForums.

Thank you :)

And Eli, rest assured, I won't forget to post some good pics ;)
 
RogerP said:
Eli got it right - staright out of the park! Excellent work my friend. I know you put everything and then some into this piece - and it shows - even in the non-pro pics. The overall design is rock solid - which description also applies to the whole takedown assembly. The damascus for both blade and fittings looks terrific, and judging from the pics, I'd say you really made the most of what mother nature gave you in that piece of Koa. I am jumping outta my skin to get my mits on this piece! I know Coop will give us all an even better look, and my eagernesss notwithstanding, I am content that he take as much time as he needs to do so.

You've got a standing ovation from me David!

Roger
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Thank you Roger ;)

Like I mentioned, some of the best times, and the best people in my life, can be found right here on BladeForums.

One thing is certain, that is my love for making knives :thumbup:

For me, making knives has been such a beautiful thing.
One thing I realized when I started making knives, was the fact it could be taken to whatever level the maker wanted.
From the most basic, to some of the most elaborate art/tool the world has ever seen or known.

I know I'm not the best and I'm ok with that. I can however say, without a doubt, my love for the craft goes as deep as any knifemaker who has ever lived.

You're right on the mark Roger, in that I put my heart and soul into this knife.

This was a groundbreaking knife for me, in so many ways.

The fittings are some of the first Damascus I ever made. It was made with Kevin Casey who so graciously gave his time, his shop, and his materials, because I wanted to learn from, imho, one of the best :thumbup: Thank you Kevin ;)

The Ladder Pattern Damascus Blade is by far, the largest Damascus Knife I've made to date.
A single, solid piece, from stem to stern.

This knife is the first to carry my new mark, simply, my last name. I hope to be able to add a couple letters to it in the very near future, namely, JS ;)

This knife is the first of this new Pin-Less Take-Down design by me.
It's a design that just "happened", I think, because of the old adage we as knifemakers know so well, "Form Follows Function" ??

Roger, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is also the first knife to come out of the fantastic Koa Board that has come to be known as "Psycho Koa" :cool: ;)
And you are so right about the beauty in this piece of wood.
I was not able to capture it with my camera. No doubt, Coop will do it justice :thumbup: :thumbup:

I hope I never stop improving as a knifemaker, both in design, and skills :)



:thumbup:
 
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Gravelface said:
David,

Stunning.....absolutely STUNNING!!!
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Thanks Jason :thumbup: I really appreciate your attention throughout this build ;)



BURNSY56 said:
What a beautiful knife Roger. I love the grinds and that Koa is on fire.

David-thanks for the tip about removing the air space from the TruOil bottle. I refinish gun stocks for friends and end with TruOil. I always wondered how I could prevent those pesky bottle blobs!
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You are very welcome BURNSY. Give it a try, it really does work very well.

The only problem you'll encounter...... if you buy the Tru-Oil in the large bottles, they get pretty darn heavy when filling the air space with steel ball bearings :D




:cool:
 
Robert Dark said:
Congrats to you and Roger. Absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for the info on using the Tru Oil.

Robert
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Thank you very much Robert :thumbup:

In regards to the tru-oil tip, it wasn't much, but you're very welcome nonetheless ;)

Consider it "payment in kind", for all the tips I've gathered from you over the years ;) :D



:thumbup:
 
Absolutely OUTSTANDING work David! Really love this blade and thanks for the WIP. Roger is a lucky man.

Shawn
 
Just three words for this knife......


WOW, WOW, WOW (at the risk of repeating my self).
 
I haven't been back to this thread in a while, but I've just poured through the pages.

Madd Skillz. :eek:

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The precision work that was involoved in just these six parts is stupefying.

This will be a challenge to capture that motion picture that is going on in that koa handle. Only a live performance will really bring the chills. :)

Looking forward to this.

Coop
 
The knife is now in transit to a very busy Jim Cooper, who has been told to take as much time as he needs to get it shot.

Until then, David completed the final piece of this extremely cool puzzle - the damascus takedown tool.

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Roger
 
Wow, that's a great looking take down tool! I'm still greatly anticipating the pic from Coop. :)
 
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