Hand Forged Knives with Impregg Handle Material

[TheoRockNazz]

So I am experimenting with this new handle material I made up that I call Impregg. It's sanitized and crushed egg shell, mica powder, and G-Flex epoxy. It's got some really neat depth to it, you can see through the gaps between shells to the swirls of mica powder inside. The tang is left rough and the material is "cast" directly onto it. I feel it will work really well for my integrals especially.
Please let me know what you think, I plan on using it in a little upcoming series.

Hand forged S7 high carbon steel camp knife with integral guard. Impregg handle and wenge insert. This knife features a forged thumb rest that gives you wonderful control over the blade for most tasks.

Hand forged W2 high carbon steel camp knife with integral finger rest. Impregg handle and 3D printed cast bronze medallion with my logo incorporated.

 

[Storm Crow]

I don't always like what you end up with, but I like that you are continuously trying new materials and techniques. :thumbup:

I feel like if you're going to cast directly onto the tang, it might benefit from some kind of bolster at the front to serve as a clean transition, keep the cast element/blade transition crisp. Maybe one at the back, too.

Is there any reason you couldn't also cast this up as handle scales if you wanted to go that route?

Lots of potential for different kinds of filler materials (instead of/in addition to eggshell).

 

[Lycosa]

I had to look again.
I like your forged blades. I do believe it was just the handle color that's not for me. It takes away from the blade(s). imo.
Try another color.
rolf

 

[john april]

the american indians would mix crushed eggshell powder in with pine pitch glue to make it more flexible. otherwise the pitch glue snaps like a potato chip. so you most likely added some durability to the handle material. i do agree with lycosa though, it would look nicer in black. i would make the chips a bit finer, and add some powdered shell to give the areas that lack the chips a frothy or foamy look.

 

[TheoRockNazz]

These are all very good points, thank you!

 

[AVigil]

Very clever

But it looks like it would be slippery in the hand when wet and chip easily with use.