Fred's First Point

Fred.Rowe

Fred.Rowe

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
May 2, 2004
Messages
6,848
This 2" long "Adena" hunting point, made from multi-colored flint mined at Flint Ridge, Ohio, was the first arrowhead my father, Fred Rowe, found. He continued to hunt for indian artifacts in this area for the next 25 years. I began hunting arrowheads in 1965, searching the same fields my father walked 30 years before me.

This is my first attempt at a stilleto ground blade. I etched in vinegar for 7 hours, cleaned the blade, then 5 minutes in ferric chloride. 2000 grit finish. No buffing. Does anyone have some different etching techniques they would like to share? :mad: I have the photos posted on the server. they are having trouble on there end. I will have them by Tuesday morning. I hope :rolleyes:

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ysforge said:
little red x is all I see :(
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I don't even have the pleasure of the little red x. We have had some serious storms the last few days. They have been raising hell with the on line connections. Fred
 
Beautiful point and blade. The damascus looks great.

I don't make many damascus knives but my technique is similar. I use a diluted ferric etch, 4:1, and do several fifteen minute dips. At the end of each dip I remove the oxides with 2000 grit paper. I usually end up with four dips to get a nice finish.

I've tried the vinegar etch before, it works great for bringing out hardening lines, but it's too slow for damascus (for me).

I'm not a damascus expert, or an anything expert for that matter, hopefully some more experienced guys can give us both some pointers :).

Matt
 
Fred, that is gorgeous, regardless of whether it is your first or hundredth attempt.
 
Geode said:
Fred, that is gorgeous, regardless of whether it is your first or hundredth attempt.
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Thanks for the feedback Jeff. :cool:
 
J. Neilson said:
Very, very nice Fred. Looks great!
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Hi J, How was the Blade show for you and Tess this year? I hope Dan got a chance to look around. I know that boy makes a lot of friends at the shows. All the best to you folks. Fred :D
 
Looks good, but depending on the steels used to make the blade you might not be getting the best etch with vinegar. I mix my ferric chloride 1:1 and etch for about 10 min, neutralize with baking soda and then a quick buff with no scratch pink. I have tried it a few different ways and this seems to work out the best. A deeper etch will give you more contrast. The buff always makes a huge difference by removing the oxide build-up. Then a nice coat of ren wax and the pattern really jumps out. Try it, if you don't like it you can always re-etch.
 
Hi Fred,That is a very Beautiful Blade!!As far as the etch goes I tried a 50/50 vinegar /FC mix on my last Damascus etch.That was a mixture recommended by Thunderforged.I was very happy w/the results.I know that is basically what you did but used each compound alone.I usually use a 50/50 mix of Distilled H 2 O + FC but thought I would try the other mix on this particular etch.Correct me if I'm wrong (because I am a lot) but FC being a Base and vinegar being a mild acid mixing the 2 would just make the FC a less potent etchant , correct ? In that they would tend to neutralize each other.For what its worth though the end result was pleasing.I,ll say it again before I finish this post- That Blade is very,very nice.In fact,words don't express how much I like it.
 
Hey Everyone !! OT I know but,I have reached a milestone !! I just realized I have 100 posts !! Awsome Blade Fred ! :D
 
Thanks for the imput guys. I am always pleased to have other views than my own. It helps you to grow as a knife maker. I will post a photo of this knife when it is finished. Again, thanks, Fred :cool:
 
Well Fred, just let me jump in and add my 2c a little late as usual: That is absolutely beautiful! I love that blade. Hunting points would be great too, I've never had a reliable place to go walking or I would. Thanks for sharing!
 
ddavelarsen said:
Well Fred, just let me jump in and add my 2c a little late as usual: That is absolutely beautiful! I love that blade. Hunting points would be great too, I've never had a reliable place to go walking or I would. Thanks for sharing!
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Evening Dave, I am really fortunate to live within driving distance of Flint Ridge, which is in E, central Ohio. It was a DMZ for the native americans, where all could go and mine the beautiful multi colored flint that they used to make their flint tools, without fear of attack. The flint from here can be found as far west as California. It was highly valued for its many colors
and was widely traded amongst the tribes. Thanks for your kind coments. Fred
 
Hi Dave, Those days afield with the modified gulf club with the nail inserted in the tip are the best. Gives a man time to think. I was having one of those special days, out by Buckeye Lake, a few years back, when I was finding a lot of points and I could not quit and go home. Well I had run out of water and my throat was getting dry and raspy. It would have been a signal to a smarter man than myself, but I kept finding flint. Well by the time I made it home, my uvula[that little hangy down thing in the back of your throat] was laying on my tongue and felt like a sausage. I still hear about that one from my wife when she is pointing out my short comings. I tell her she just does not understsand the thrill of finding a nice point. Good hunting, Fred :o
 
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