Iron wood brute de forge fighter...

Mace

Mace

Joined
Apr 8, 2003
Messages
2,092
Hey all,
Thought I would post a pic....Here is one of my Brutes with some nice iron wood handles.
Let me know what ya think.
Thanks for looking.
Mace
ironwood2.jpg
 
To me, the blade shape makes it seem a little...unbalanced. Which isn't to say that I don't like it, it's a great looking knife. The handle looks very ergonomic, and in good proportion to the knife. The jimping on the spine seems like it could be more pronounced (looks sort of shallow) to me, but that might be the angle of the picture. Overall, I say it looks like a very nice piece, good for pokin' things with. That's my amateur opinion.

Edit to add. The area where your index finger rests, with the flare, I like that a lot.
 
Mace and I forged some of those integral Brut-de-Forge guards back at the Carolina Seminar 10 years ago.

The flared guard is back forged from the tang and makes the finger choil as well as the guard at the same time.

And, before anyone says anything...this thread is OK with the moderators.....now lets discuss how it was made, the materials, etc.
 
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Mace,
How durable, in your experience, is the forge finish? With heavy use will it scrape off or is it on there pretty solidly?
 
Thanks guys. Regarding the jimping ...it's deep...as deep as my file will let me go. The balance point is right at the finger guard. The forge scale is there forever unless it's ground away.( or you would have to do a LOT of rubbing with 36 grit! LOL) This is the first one of these I have put handles on and it sure was a pain in the butt to get everything flat and right.
Stacy...I have to admit I havn't been on the forums much lately .....what would make this post not ok w/mods? Don't want to have any future issues.

I appreciate all comments on this knife good or bad...helps me get better.
Mace
 
Hi, Mace.
I think you have some fine work in this piece both in style and finishing. In my opinion, however it looks like the handle has just a bit too much drop. This would mean the point isn't quite in the proper position to take all of the force. Frank.
 
Good see something from you Mace. Since this looks like more of a stabber than and chopper, the handle
drop does seem a bit extreme to me. I might change my mind after feeling it in my hand though.
 
I have always liked your Brute de Forge look, Mace. Those look like they would be fast in the hand, bro. The wood grain is cool too.
peanut.jpg
 
Not a style knife I have any personal need for, but lovely. I really like the choil/finger guard area done like that. It's almost like a stock removal knife design improved through forging. Some of the common tells of a forged knife are missing and help it look unique. You get a forged look without the typical forged style in the ricasso and handle.

I like the jimping setup with the larger start and finish grooves. Gives it a nice finished look there that can be lacking in the fine file made jimping.
 
Hey All,
Thanks again for your comments....like I said it only helps me make a better knife. I have been doing this long enough to know you can't please everyone all the time, but constructive critique is key to knife making.

It has come to my attention that not only can't I spell very well in English, but also apparently French too!
The correct term would be Brut.....not "Brute". Also I would like to give credit to the man who came up with this forged in finger guard and has been so kind to share it with so many. Thank you Joe Keesler M.S.! If you guys don't know Joe's work you should check it out. He does the most amazing silver wire inlay I have ever seen...IMHO he is the inlay king!
.....also....If anyone is interested I will be doing a demonstration on the brut de forge at the New England Hammer-in this July 13-15 in Auburn Maine. Come join us for some great demos, a battle of the bladesmiths, lobster bake, fun, and friends.
Mace
 
Great work Mace, Mr Keesler would be proud, and you don't want to dissapoint a guy that swings a hammer as big as his! :)
 
Yes, I well remember Joe0 Keesler showing us this idea at Bill Moran's hammer-in. He clamped the blade in a post vise and used a modified French raising hammer. I went home and forged one the next day. While it looks rather complex, it is fairly straight forward.

Mace's are prettier than mine, though :)
 
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