Jewelry, weapon or tool?

Tai Goo

Tai Goo

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I posted this a while back on the “Old Fashioned Ferrules” thread and it seemed to go un noticed,… So, I thought I’d throw it out here again. It’s the first knife I made this year... kind of cool. :)

… fun little piece for me. I thought Stacy might like it. It sort of goes along with what he’s been doing with the miniatures and jewelry work. Now that I have an indoor space again, I can see myself getting more back into the non ferrous work. It’s been awhile. Silver and gold are so high right now, I’ve been playing around more with copper just to experiment with new ideas and stuff. With the copper there isn’t that pressure that comes with working silver and gold. You can just loosen up and have fun with it.

It’s given me a whole bunch of new ideas…

It’s about 4-1/2 inches long with a 1095 blade, copper ferrule and desert ironwood handle. The edge guard is copper with a mild steel liner. The inside diameter of the ring is 7/8 inches.


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I know, I know,... I sure have pretty hands for a bladesmith! LOL
 
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Tai, you could probably wear it as jewelry as long as the blade cover doesn't come off :eek:, and it darn sure would work as a weapon, and knowing how you build things it would probably make a good tool also!
So I would go with all of the above.
I really like the copper. There is something about copper for a ferule that sets off a knife. Is the scroll work engraved? It looks more like it was cast that way!
 
Hey thanks!

All the copper parts are forged and fabricated, as opposed to cast or machined. The scrolls are silver soldered to the ferrule, from copper wire.. The ferrule itself is forged from a piece of copper plumbing pipe over the end of a mandrel. I used an acidic solution from vinegar (with copper and steel), to copper plate the silver so it blends in,… and some patina. With the round stock the silver solder joints also tend to hide down in the undercuts.
 
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Tai,

Your pieces are always a delight, and each seems to have a life of it's own.

All those scrolls and cylinders and circles are set off by that mean-looking triangle blade. It's art, all right, but it's a cutter, too.

John
 
Definitely a shiv. A tactical Goo...

Those are actually your hands? I thought they were kind of pretty. Wow, this is awkward.

All your work is art.
 
Tai Goo said:
Hey thanks!

All the copper parts are forged and fabricated, as opposed to cast or machined. The scrolls are silver soldered to the ferrule, from copper wire.. The ferrule itself is forged from a piece of copper plumbing pipe over the end of a mandrel. I used an acidic solution from vinegar (with copper and steel), to copper plate the silver so it blends in,… and some patina. With the round stock the silver solder joints also tend to hide down in the undercuts.
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Cool I was trying to figure out how you did the scrolls. I figured it might be something like that or I'd have to say you are one heck of relief carver. The whole thing looks really good. Copper and mokume both just seem to set of a well done blade! :thumbup:
 
looks good, love the shape and love the copper. Now if it only had a 12 or 14" blade!:D
 
Tai, that is really nice. I always have had the greatest respect for your ability to fuse styles, media, and themes into a unique object.

I might even have to make something similar for the workbench.....no one said there was a law that required scalpels to be ugly.
 
Tai, you planning on dissecting toads or sumpin??? (BOG)
I think the more it's used, the nicer the colors will be.
Nice job!! As usual!.
 
Thanks guys!

After doing a few round handles like this, fitting the ferrules up etc., by hand... I was at a yard sale last weekend and picked up a bench top drill press for cheap. Then I broke down and ordered a bench top mini lathe. Those two items will make doing this style of handle a lot easier. I tooled down over ten years ago, but have been thinking it's time to tool up again,… only smaller and for different reasons. I've always had sort of a mental block against turning round handles, but have been thinking they could work out pretty nice.

Will, I do plan on making some larger "ringers", and continuing with the coppersmithing and non ferrous work. I'm swamped with students for the next few weeks, but plan on getting back to it asap.
 
I got the idea from this shot glass I made my wife for Christmas. With a knifemaker for a husband,… I’m sure she’ll be needing it! LOL . It's sort of like the one Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) twirls like a pistol in the movie "Tombstone"... great scene! The ring shot glass and ring bowie were somewhat fashionable out west here in the good old days.

A bowie ringer is definitely on my list of things to do this year.

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Tai, sorry I did not comment on it when I first saw it on the other post but I agree, that' art for me. Luv it!

On the subject of nice hands, the best trick I found is to do the dishes after a day in the shop. Best way to keep your hands from scaring people and rack up some brownie points to boot. ;)
 
Patrice Lemée;9190723 said:
Tai, sorry I did not comment on it when I first saw it on the other post but I agree, that' art for me. Luv it!

On the subject of nice hands, the best trick I found is to do the dishes after a day in the shop. Best way to keep your hands from scaring people and rack up some brownie points to boot. ;)
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Well since Julieta, (my wife) never does the dishes (or cooks),... that's a natural. :D

... I've got so many brownie points,... but I'm not sure how to cash them in?

... did I mention,... I'm going to be a grandpa this year! Chaching! :)
 
Wow that's some great work Tai-copper is such a great medium.
And congratulations on being a grandpa.
 
That bit from tombstone is the very best scene in an otherwise great movie. All your copper work looks right on.
 
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