Josh Smith Folder And Progress Shots

Jon Brand

Jon Brand

Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
4,417
I see Josh just beat me to the punch by about 12 minutes since I just got out of work but I had wanted to share this photo so I'll repost it.

This is a special order I picked up from Josh Smith at the ECCKS. The knife is special to me because it was custom built with almost every detail covered between Josh and I. He was willing to get me this order with in a very reasonable time so that I could pick it up in NY. I wanted a similar shape of a previous handle he made, but with my own specific ideas regarding shape and design (from bolster “s” curves, exaggerated recurve blade with clip, filework design, extended backstrap, etc.) . Josh really nailed this one for me and I could not be more pleased. The knife is heat colored gold and the damascus was named "tiger stripes”. The action on this folder is incredibly smooth. Josh is extremely talented and it was rewarding to work with him on this one so I’d like to give a big thanks. Check out his knives next time you get a chance. Let me know what you think.

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Josh provided me with these progress shots which are also on his site. Enjoy.

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*I also posted the following in another thread. It is a Mother of Pearl folder of Josh's that I picked up as I was leaving. It has "twisted W's" pattern damascus. In its natural etched color. Excuse my poor photos.*


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Really sweet, Jon. The shapes and materials are VERY pleasing. You guys both should be proud.

Nicely photographed as well. :thumbup: As is should be.

Coop
 
That's a gorgeous folder - not hard to understand that you are one happy camper.

I wonder how many blades he got out of that billet?

Roger
 
RogerP said:
I wonder how many blades he got out of that billet?

Roger
Click to expand...

Im actually curious myself. Maybe Josh can fill us in when hes back. I think the straight knife has it too, except with out the heat coloring.

Thanks to all who have commented or looked. Your feedback makes collecting much more rewarding.
 
Hey thanks a lot for the comments. When I start a billet that big I don't take it all the way out into one pattern. I know I'm not the only one, i.e. Tom Ferry, Hank Knickmeyer, and Ed Schempp to mention a few, that believe that if you are going to do the same exact step on different patterns you might as well do it in a large billet first. Let's say for example I'm making a billet of "W's." W's can then be twisted, ladder patterned, accordioned, tiled, or re-stacked into countless formations to create patterns that don't even represent "W's." That particular billet of steel was taken out into four separate patterns. Jon's knife, the take down fighter, a standard classic ladder pattern, and a nice tight twist pattern for later use.

As far as numbers of knives that's tough to say. I needed three of those billets to make one sword blade, but if I were to forge that billet down, roll it out with my rolling mill and ladder pattern it I could have made maybe a dozen small folders.

The more you cut and re-stack to create complex mosaics the more steel loss you incur due to scaling, grinding between welds, chop saw cerf, and wasted ends. In other words I could take that billet to the point that I would only end up with one really nice mosaic bowie, or out to 12 small folders.

To me planning is key. I like to know what I'm looking to forge and about how much steel each billet will produce. Sometimes I'll do the initial forge on a billet, draw it out a bit, cut it in half and save it for the next time I need to forge. That way I've got a pre welded billet sitting in the corner of the shop ready to go. It eliminates prep time, cuts down on forge time, propane, belts, grinding wheels, chop saw blades, etc. It all boils down to efficiency.

Anyway the short answer to the question, "how many knives do you get out of that billet is" ...........it depends.:)

Hope I didn't bore you.

Josh

www.joshsmithknives.com
 
Hello Josh,

It would be interesting to get an idea how long it will take you to begin
with a pile of steel bars and----
joshsmith said:
take that billet to the point that I would only end up with one really nice mosaic bowie, or out to 12 small folders.
Click to expand...
I mean approximate hours of forging, doing it your way..... :)

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
David, your more of a folder guy right? I love this new one because it is sort of a different direction for me although still a regular liner locking folder.
 
Yes, Jon, I was always attracted to contemporary folding knives,
That is why I began with "... Custom Folding Knives" once I decided
to plunge into doing these books....

I do keep some very nice Fixed-Blade knives, but they are all knives made
for and displayed full page my books.

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
Thank you guys for the compliments and Josh again for the the hard work. Not sure anyone realized that I posted two different knives on here.. Commodorewheeler- these are my first knives of Josh's and I had hardly seen any up close in person before this but knew he would do great clean work.. I was right. I am a new fan and will continue to be a supporter.

Steve M. Welcome to the forums!
 
jonathan brand said:
Thank you guys for the compliments and Josh again for the the hard work. Not sure anyone realized that I posted two different knives on here.. Commodorewheeler- these are my first knives of Josh's and I had hardly seen any up close in person before this but knew he would do great clean work.. I was right. I am a new fan and will continue to be a supporter.

Steve M. Welcome to the forums!
Click to expand...

Jonathan, yes, I did notice that there were two different knives from Josh, but the one that I was particularly impressed with was the one with the in-progress pics. That one is one of my favorites that he has ever done.
 
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