Four of a Kind: carved leather & filework

PatrickBarter

PatrickBarter

Joined
Jun 10, 2008
Messages
158
I've been away from the grinder for some time—getting a master's degree in an unrelated field—and this is the first project I've had time to finish up of late.

A customer asked for a set of four knives to give to special friends this Christmas. Three of them spent last summer climbing a specific mountain in Chile, and one of his requests was that I carve this particular mountain on their sheaths. The fourth is not a mountaineer, so he got carving of my choice. The spines are fully fileworked with vine pattern, and the handle materials are Cocobolo, Curly Maple, and Curly Birch. The guards are 416 SS and Brass on the ground-dwelling recipient's knife. The blades are ATS-34 heat treated to 59-60 and mirror polished.

I'd love to hear some opinions. I included a writeup and short bio with each knife that I can attach or email if anyone's interested.

Thanks for looking
Patrick Barter

IMG_0967.jpg


IMG_0972.jpg


IMG_0974.jpg


IMG_0978.jpg


IMG_0983.jpg


IMG_0992.jpg


IMG_0993.jpg


IMG_0994.jpg


IMG_0995.jpg


IMG_0998.jpg
 
Great work! I especially admire the precision with which you made 4 almost identical pieces! The maple one is my favorite!
 
Patrick, those are nice. I particularly like the cocabolo handles and dark sheath. Mostly I like the fact that you post with your real name. That shows me you are serious about your work. With this kind of skill you will be one to watch.
 
Thanks for the really positive feedback. I'm delighted that your choices for 'favorite' have been different knives so far. And yes, I'm serious about making the absolute best stuff I can, but I also enjoy the hell out of it.

PKB
 
Wow- very nice! Those will make for some very happy people!
 
Outstanding,the knives and sheaths,i really like the cocobolo with the wine sheath,vry nice filework as well.what did you use for finish on the handles?
thanks for sharing.
Marc
 
Thanks, all, for the continued kind words. KM, the cocobolo handles are finished with Renaissance Wax to keep the scales from shrinking/warping/cracking. The maple and birch handles are finished with Birchwood Casey's Tru-Oil, and stained with their old-school walnut filler (birch) or a diluted solution of Chromium Trioxide and water (maple).
 
Great job Patrick. I think all look great, but IMHO the ground deweller got the best one. :) Surperb job.
 
Excellent work and craftsmanship your friends should be very happy with those knifes(if not I will be your friend:thumbup:) good work. Guys like you inspire me to improve myself every day. Thats the best part of this forum.
:D:D
Todd
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top