Down time knife WIP

R, Part of that was just because I was going from the irregular cross section of the stag to the 3/4 round copper pipe. The shoulder on the stag sticks up more in some places than others, but I like how it's working out so far.
 
I still need to do a little clean up and patina on this. It’s probably best to use a bit more silver solder than not enough on the copper fabrication. It’s almost impossible to go back and fill voids in the seams if you don’t use enough with the copper. The basic fabrication looks O.K.. It’s structurally sound... not like I slopped solder all over the place though.

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For the twisted piece, first I rolled out a square piece from ¼ round.

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Then, chiseled a groove down the center of the four sides and used a checkering file to put some grooves in two opposite corners, but left the other two plain. Then twisted it.

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R, It's just called a "rolling mill". It's hand crank. They make an assortment of rollers. This one is part flat for sheet and the other half for square wire. The distance or gap between the rollers is adjustable. You can draw round wire through a draw plate, but start with square.
 
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It’s almost to the point now where I feel like I know what I’m doing, but…

… It ain’t over until the fat lady sings! LOL

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We'll see...
 
Tai, that is totally beautiful. I look at a lot of knives and this is the first time I ever called my wife into the office to look at one. I knew she would love seeing the work you did on that copper. Just wow!
 
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that twisted bit was made from a single square piece.......I figgured it had to be multi strand. You are a crazy man! (Where I come from that's high praise:D)
Darcy:)
 
Thanks guys. I really enjoy doing the copper work.

We're supposed to be getting my granddaughter later today and keeping her for the weekend. I might tinker with the knife a little this morning, but probably won't get much else done until next week.

Milana :)

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What a great thread. Love the copper work. Still trying to get my head around that twisted copper piece.. fantastic.
 
That twist kind a reminds me of the pineapple twist in blacksmithing...with a twist though. (Sorry couldn't resist that one.) Enjoy your little visitor Milana, grandad!!!
 
For the clean up, first I shaved the excess solder off in a few spots with the little knife (blade I made), then a little scraping and brushing around those areas. Next, I burnished over those areas and burnished the whole thing a little and just rubbed it with a piece of fine steel wool.

I did it that way as opposed to filing and sanding, because it works better with the natural looking textures from the forging already there. It blends in well.

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Here’s the little rig I use to hold and support the ferrule while filing the tang slot with needle files. It’s from 5/8 copper pipe, flattened on one end so I can get it in the vise. I also pad the vice with a piece of leather to help keep it from slipping in the vice. It’s shimmed on the end with duct tape for a snug fit and the rubberiness of the tape keeps the ferrule from turning, and of course the hole in the center allows me to get a full stroke with the needle files.

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If the slot comes out a little loose, I can slip the ferrule back on the mandrel and peen it in for a perfect fit. I'll try to get it right the first time though.
 
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It still needs a few minor adjustments and touches before I heat treat the blade, but here’s the basic fit.

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I've been sitting here, in a daze with my fingers hovering over the keyboard, contemplating all that you have shown in your WIP. You have given me a whole new perspective on fit and finish. The complexity and artistry of this ferrule astounds me. No wonder you are who you are!

Robert
 
Looking good Mister T....... I'm looking forward to doing the sheath for it. Hope the heat treat doesn't make any changes......
 
Thanks Robert. I'm having fun with it,... still plan on tinkering with the finish a bit too.

Thanks Mr. R. I'm hoping the only changes heat treating makes will be beneficial.
I'm going to do an interrupted quench and straighten it out of the canola, if needed... thinking positive. ;)
... can't skip out on the most "voodoo" part,,, u got to do da voodoo. :)
 
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Ready to do da voodoo… ;)

Edge:

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Back:
(I'm liking the 1/8 inch... Thin is IN!)

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Side:

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Now all I need to do is thaw out some chicken livers etc,.. and get the rest of my voodoo gear together,… canola, charcoal, candles, incense, pendulum, ect… I’ll be spending the rest of the day in prayer and meditation... I better abstain from sex and alcohol until it's over too.

May the spirit of the cornish game hen and crawdad be with me! LOL

Thawing the "all natural" hen:
... only the best for my blades!

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... It says "Premium". :D
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Wild caught crawdad:

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The goods:
(Natural charcoal and fresh canola)

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OM MANI PADME HUM
 
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