Dry fit

Raymond Richard

Raymond Richard

Joined
Jun 17, 2001
Messages
5,705
I haven't been producing much of anything since I got back from Blade. Here's a knife I've been fiddling with for awhile. Its just dry fitted at this time. I bought some Nelsonite from Darren Ellis and used it to stabalize the curley maple with so I'm going to let it alone for a couple more days to make sure it is totally cured. The blade is 8" and was forged out of 1065 and the fittings are 1018.
PDRM1343.JPG

PDRM1344.JPG
 
Terry, If I water quenched it I wouldn't have anything to take a picture of. This one was done in Texaco Type B. I just got some Type A and I like it alot better.
 
Haha, i hear ya. :D I just thought by the way it curved up it may have been a water quench. Does it curve up in the texaco also? Very nice looking edge (hamon), i like them whiteish, what did you etch it in?
 
That's a really attractive piece, Ray.

I'm interested in how long it takes the Nelsonite to quit smelling if you could let me know.

I have questions about it's chemistry and shelf life and haven't been able to find out much about it. I tried some I had for about a year at room temp and the wood still reeks of polymer after 9 months. I don't know but the mesquite I tried it on may have so many chemicals of it's own in it that it interfered with curing. Pine used as a control doesn't seem to stink near as much. Perhaps it might be best to keep in the refrigerator between uses.
 
Terry, there curve is from the way I forged the blade, not from the quench. I use ferric but can't remember what the water ratio was. Its a pretty strong mix. I do a number of quick etches, 30 seconds or less and rub inbetween with a 500 grit abrasive powder and then finish off with a metal polish and steel wool. The 1065 also shows a bold temperline.

Fitz, Sounds to me like you have more experience with the Nelsonite than I have. This is my first time trying it. After I got done I put the remainder back in the can and put steel in it untill the air space was gone before I put the lid on it. I'm thinking the smell will disapate in time. Our weather has been so cool lately that I plan to let it cure for a longer time than if it was hot.
 
What a beauty Ray! That is a dramatic hamon, and it's cool to see the parts layed out like that. I like that handle too, very nice shape. Thanks for the inspiration!
 
John, The way I've been going lately it could be another month before its done. It won't look to much differenct than it does now. Maybe alittle shinnier but not much.
 
John, I do the tang hole real simular to drilling a tunnel. I go in in both directions and hope they meet in the middle. The hole is done before I do any shaping of the handle. I'll trace the tang on the block. Put it into my drill press vise and make the adjustments, turn the drill on and cross my fingers. After the hole is drilled I've got a long burr that I use to turn the hole into more of a channel. The wood is awhole lot easier than the stag and safer.
 
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