In-progress: A set of matched bowies by Matt Roberts..

[RogerP]

Greetings all,

I got word recently that my order with Matt was on deck, and was even more pleased to see that Matt decided to add the in-progress pics to his web site.

This order started out as a big-bowie / hunter set, then progressed to a matched set of duelling bowies, and has now evolved into a matched pair with dissimilar styles, but similar dimensions and handle materials. Clear? Don't worry, it will be.

I encourage those interested to chek out the full pics and detailed descriptions on Matt's site by

clicking here: http://www.robertsknives.com/BowieSetConstruction.html

The following represents but a sampling of what you will find there:

Getting to the point:

Forging about 80% complete:

Drawing out the tang:

Beginning the annealing cycles:

 

[RogerP]

Profiling the ricasso and tang:

Fireproof pants????

Profiled blade:

Roger

 

[RAN]

This is one of those kick back and enjoy threads
Thanks!

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Cool thread.

 

[surfer]

Realy nice thread!
Please keep on showing us the process!

regards

surfer

 

[Doug C]

I really dig in-progress threads as well,thanks Roger and Matt. :thumbup:

Doug

 

[Kevin Jones]

Great stuff :thumbup:

 

[RogerP]

Some pics of the blade as it progresses through the grinding process:

Flattening the ricasso on a disc grinder:

Ready to shape the ricasso. It is marked to the appropriate length, and excess material removed. Shoulders are left slightly radiused.

Musn't forget the maker's mark:

Ready for heat treat:

Roger

 

[SharpByCoop]

This is good stuff. I like Matt's descriptions on the site link. Very explanatory combined with the photos. There sure is a lot of extra work in forging knives. Nice job, Matt.

Can't wait to see the handle construction... :thumbup:

Coop

 

[Bigjohn]

Great pics....Im always amazed at what can be accomplished by forging. These pics of the process are fantastic...thanks for taking the time...and I cant wait to see the completed knife.

Bj

 

[RogerP]

Coop - thanks for the reminder that the full story and pics are to be found on Matt's site here: http://www.robertsknives.com/BowieSetConstruction.html

It really reads as step by step tutorial and is extremely informative. I suspect Matt may have more time in the pics, text and web updates than in the knives themselves - I am indeed grateful.

Here are some more, with comments from Matt in bold.

Here is a shot of the blade directly out of heat treat. The black residue
on the blade is a compound made by Brownells that creates a barrier
between the steel and the air, this prevent oxidation and decarb. The
residue washes off with warm water.

The blade here has been ground to 220 grit, and Matt has begun to convex the edge:

Plunge lines and taper have been established:

Here are two shots showing the hardening line. On these two pieces I
wanted to showcase both types of styles I like to work in; hardening lines
and hamon. It is possible to create a very dramatic transition line without
using clay. As this piece is polished the hardening line will present itself
further. So far the line appears to be very hamon-like, this has been
typical for my HT process on w2.

Roger

 

[RedWolfHowlin]

Nice thread with some cool pictures.

Thanks for sharing the process on these knives!