Gojira!!!!! Bowie {Inspiration of the Fogg kind} Finished pics pg. 3

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Hey Ben,

It is really cool to see you endeavoring towards your own version of the knife Don Fogg created so many years ago.

The thing about inspiration is that interpretation is a HUGE part of it. Yours is speaking pure Tendick to me and it is cool to see.

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AND......
...because after the one I made a few years ago has been in my mind lately, I too have wanted to give it another go in creating this style knife.

One thing for sure, that transition at the tip is no easy thing to do.
I washed it out on the blade I did a few years ago, and will not only forge rather than grind the next one I make, but also use only files to do the stock reduction.

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I say AWESOME!

And will be calling you for pointers on the wrap, cuz' I know you will kill that part in a good way:)

Keep up the fantastic work bro!

>>> Really everything you make has your style and quality workmanship to it that is clearly full of heart and lots of hard work and skill.

-DON:)
 
Thanks Don. That means a lot. I'd love to see some pics of your version, didn't know you did one!

I'll help you on the wrap if I can. :thumbup:
 
I appologize for skipping some steps, but you get the general idea.
Here we go!

Laying out some lines for scallops in the guard.


Guard scalloped and mounted in my cool little hand vice so I can do an orange peel texture on it. I do this with a wire wheel in a bench grinder.


Guard and spacer.


Next up is finishing the blade.
After temper I blast the mill finish flats and the fullers and then darken them. It gives a nice contrast that I dig.
Blasted.


Blackened.


Next I hand finish the spine and then apply my makers mark. I do a nice deep DC etch, no wearing it off!


Boom.


Next up is a ton of hand sanding. 3v is not exactly the most fun steel to hand finish.


Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand and with the magic of the internet......done!!


This is the edge thickness before sharpening, right around .008". This thing will make an awesome chopper.
 
Blade finished and all wrapped to protect it, I am ready to press fit the guard.


I use my shop built knifemaker vise clamped vertically the hold the blade while I drive on the guard with a sledge.


All snug as bug.


95% of the time if I use menuki, I make my own. I decided to go fancy on this one and use some Alpha knife supply black timascus. :cool:


I thought I got pics of my shaping them, but apparently not. Here I am heat coloring them after they are buffed.


Next up is the handle. I do a base layer of rubber (hard neoprene) under my wraps on my larger blade. Then a nice tight wrap of of black hemp cord.


Starting the wrap. I use very high tech menuki holding apparatus.


Finished wrap, both sides. Ready for epoxy.




Next I saturate the whole wrap in West systems G/flex epoxy. Messy process, no pictures.

Once I clean up the epoxy, it cures overnight at which point we have a finished knife!







 
Tomorrow I'll finish the sheath and upload finished pics. Probably sending this one out for photos.
 
Looks great Ben!!! I could imagine some modern day Samurai surrounded by his enemies, when he slowly draws this and suddenly the odds are in his favor :)
 
Fantastic, from end to end, Ben. Really like every aspect of it. Mike
Your pictures are always great, but professional attention will be a nice treat for this one.
 
It's a fine looking knife in it's own right, Ben.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Here goes for the sheath!

Someday I will have a large table for laying out sides of leather, until then I get help. : )


Here are all the components cut and ready. Shark and bison.


Time to make the belt stud. Cutting up a chink of Zirc.


Squaring up.


Drilling for mounting hardware.


Tapping.


Profiled.


A little sculpting.


I decided now would be a good time to try carving for the first time ever. Why not start with zirc right?! :D


Feeling a little skully.


Looks good so far!


Finished up. Time to heat color!


Dark skull!


Glued up, stud mounted and throat/tip stitched. Ready to stitch the sides. All hand stitched by the way.


Stitching.


After the edges are dyed and burnished I apply my own beeswax blend leather finish. All natural, has great feel, and smells awesome!


Finished package! Story time.... Since Mr. Fogg's was inspired by a whaling knife, this knife is named Gojira (Godzilla) which means Gorrila/whale, Godzilla battles King kong, from skull island.......The shark and buffalo skin hearken to the surf and turf of both monsters, make sense? :cool: :D
 
Madness....
Thanks for the pictorial!
 
a beautiful monster indeed! thought the name was after the rock group.
 
Thanks very much guys. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I like it! Would make a heck of a chopper with the thin grind.

I took a few quick pics I'll post up. It's on its way to Caleb for Some pro pics now. :thumbup:
 
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