John White MS Persian Fighter WIP

[jjtjr]

A few weeks before the Blade Show I received an email from John White MS that my place on his waiting list had finally come due. I decided that I would like John to make me a Persian style blade. John had never made a Persian but agreed to make the knife.

John’s first step in the process is the handle material. These were his choices:

I chose the greenish Mammoth Ivory.

Next we came up with a sketch of what the knife would look like:

John then made a forging pattern:

I wanted a Turkish Twist Damascus so John then stacked and tacked up a billet of 17 layers of 1084 & 15N20 for forging:

Then into the forge:

John next welded, drew out and twisted the Damascus:

The next step John welded 2x2, cut curves on tips, and readied to weld up and forge to shape:

Now a great photo of the blade forged to shape:

 

[jjtjr]

He then profiled and ground the billet down to 1/4 inch today and gave it a quick etch to see the pattern:

Next he ground the bevels, and draw-filed the blade, stamped name, and took this pic to show the (near) finished shape:

Here it's been rough ground, heat-treated and tempered, and he started the hand sanding:

John finished and etched the blade. Note the center line of the dagger grind lying along the center weld line of the bars, John’s planning pays off:

Here’s a photo of it etched at 1000 grit with the scales:

The parts rough cut and fitted:

John then relieved the front edge of the guard and it is ready for Joe Mason engraving:

 

[Mike Quesenberry]

Oh Man! Eagerly awaiting more pics. Beautiful design.

 

[jjtjr]

Here are Joe Mason’s sketches of the engraving for the guard and rear bolsters:

A shot of the gold inlay by Joe:

Joe then etched and finished the engraving and sent them back to John:

John finished the knife:

Off to Paul Long for a beautiful sheath. I really like the Persian inlay in the sheath:

Paul sent it to Buddy Thomason for a great photograph:

And the last and best step is it is on its way to me this week.

Jim Treacy

 

[Lorien]

what a morning!!!

 

[RogerP]

I just LOVE Persian-themes knives, and this one will go down as one of my favourites. Just beautiful! The damasus is stunning and shows well on that curvy blade. You made a solid choice on the ivory as well. Joe provided just the right golden touch and Paul did what he does - make the best sheath to compliment that particular knife. Very nice photo by Buddy, too. Kudos all around and congrats to you on a superb new addition, Jim. And thanks for the WIP pics - always enjoy seeing some of the earlier stepd in the process.

Roger

 

[sheepdog229]

Wow. Thanks for the detailed pics showing how an ugly hunk of metal can turn into something so beautiful. I am amazed at what knife makers can do.

 

[Will York]

Elegance incarnate. Just incredible shape and flow--love the spot-on execution of that twist damascus and what a set of mammoth scales. :thumbup:

 

[jjtjr]

Thanks, Roger. John was nice enough to send me progress photos as he was making the knife.

I originally was not going to have the knife engraved, but after I saw the super engraving by Joe Mason on your John White D-guard Dogbone Bowie, I decided to have it engraved.

Jim

 

[betzner]

This thread has it all! I dislike WIP threads for many reasons, but when one has been perfectly done - with a gorgeous knife and sheath - it deserves positive comment.

Jim, the pics are absolutely great - and there are not too many, but just the number one needs to show the "history" of the knife's "beginnings". And the commentary, just perfect.

A really wonderful job bringing the knife to life in the thread! Again, knife, sheath and engraving really wonderful. And the Persian form is a thing to behold.

Best,

Bob

 

[NickWheeler]

Good Lord that's awesome!!!! :thumbup:

 

[gooeytek]

That is just beautiful. stunning work there.

I do have a question though, since I am somewhat noobish to the knifemaking process. The profiled blade blank shows that it's not a full tang, and it looks like spacers were added to the top and bottom of the scales after all was finished. Wouldn't it have been easier to make it as a full-tang knife, with having less stock to remove, and whatnot? Is this done for balance?

 

[Ellis]

what a great piece,enjoy Jim, great work John!
Dave

 

[SharpByCoop]

That was like watching a beautiful stripper. :thumbup: I couldn't stop, and at each new dance it was even more enticing.

Congrats, Jim! Outstanding design and build, John! Joe, that was JUST RIGHT. Buddy, you know I love your work.

All good.

Coop

 

[Calhoon]

Persian style blades have always been my favorite! Thank you for posting this incredible knife and sheath. Just about takes my breath away!

 

[John White]

Jim,

Thanks again for prompting me towards something a little different. All us makers like having great patrons such as you!

In that vein, the sketch of of knife and scales was a result of lots of input from Jim, and several back and forth revisions. That's what is the best part of working with a client to come up with a truly "custom" design.

Joe's engraving has been a huge part of several projects for me, and this one shows why for sure.

Paul's sheathes are always an addition, and in this case, the perfect "Persian" overlay really fits the theme.

Buddy's photo speaks for the piece. He brings it to life for everyone to see as he sees it.

We're supposed to be having fun at this, and working with Jim, Joe, Paul, and Buddy is what makes it so for me.

John

 

[Jon Brand]

Out of the box and very high-end looking. Excellent I love it.

 

[SBranson]

Unbelievable.. I cannot say how much I like this one.. Beautiful beautiful...

 

[sparrow75]

Great looking piece

 

[black mamba]

Very, very beautiful! Congratulations to all the talents involved here, and to Jim for pulling them all together. What a treat!