Finished some new handle work

[timcsaw]

The handles/scales are mine... the steel is others.

The first one is supposed to look like a feather. I do a bit of Intarsia and wanted to see how hard it would be to do some scales using that technique.

I have a few little voids left to fill, final buff, and then install the clip and done.

I included two pics of the wood prior to cutting it up on the saw.

The knife in the next post is from some Ram/sheep horn I have access to.

 

[timcsaw]

The Ram/Sheep Horn.

 

[mqqn]

Hi timcsaw -

You nailed the feather look. The turquoise completes it nicely.

It is very interesting to see the raw material before you cut it.

I am always amazed when I see the before pictures.

Wonderful work - thank you for sharing your pictures.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[timcsaw]

Hi timcsaw -

You nailed the feather look. The turquoise completes it nicely.

It is very interesting to see the raw material before you cut it.

I am always amazed when I see the before pictures.

Wonderful work - thank you for sharing your pictures.

best regards -

mqqn

Thanks mqqn...

I've done intarsia on a larger scale (normal size ) and I found it's a lot harder when doing something on such a small scale. You end up with all of these little puzzle pieces after cutting it up that have to be put back in place(note the numbered pieces on the wood?). For a first try at this technique on a knife scale, I'm "OK happy" with it.

Thanks again for the kind words. I do appreciate it!

 

[Mountainman38]

The handles/scales are mine... the steel is others.

The first one is supposed to look like a feather. I do a bit of Intarsia and wanted to see how hard it would be to do some scales using that technique.

I have a few little voids left to fill, final buff, and then install the clip and done.

I included two pics of the wood prior to cutting it up on the saw.

The knife in the next post is from some Ram/sheep horn I have access to.

That's some really cool looking stuff, Tim. Looks like you're having fun working on these projects, and doing a good job.

 

[timcsaw]

Thank you mountainman... you're very kind.

I'm havin' a blast!!!

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

I don't know what "Intarsia" is, but the look you have achieved is quite nice!

Andy

 

[timcsaw]

I don't know what "Intarsia" is, but the look you have achieved is quite nice!

Andy

Thanks a lot Andy.

Doing a handle in intarsia was harder than I thought it would be... Primarily because even though I use an extremely thin scroll saw blade, the kerf becomes a problem on such small pieces. "Kerf" is essentially the space left between to pieces of wood that the blade itself cuts away (turns into sawdust).

When doing intarsia on a large piece, the space (kerf) between pieces isn't really a problem because each "puzzle piece" is large enough to be worked/sanded to minimize the kerf. On something as small as this knife handle, the kerf is a bit of an issue (you end up with gaps that have to be filled with colored epoxy or something).

Intarsia is sort of like painting a 3-D "picture" using wood. Here are a couple of "pictures" of completed Intarsia pieces that are about 10 inches by 12 inches or so.

Each different colored area in the "picture" is a separate piece of wood, with different grain patterns that are selected to compliment and add to the over all look of the "picture".

Each little "puzzle piece" is usually cut to a different thickness so that when individually sanded, rounded and fitted into place, it gives the piece a 3 dimensional feel and look. The entire piece will be in "raised relief".

The nose on the Raccoon and Deer for example, were cut thicker so they actually stand out farther than the surrounding pieces. Each piece is usually rounded and sanded to give raised relief and definition and "3-D depth" to the complete piece.

It's a lot of fun (and not too hard) when done on the normal, large scale shown here, but is quite a challenge on such small pieces that the knife handle required. I may try it again on a knife, but I'll make a design that doesn't have such tiny, individual "puzzle pieces".

 

[LeftytwoGuns]

Very nice looking handle.