layered copper guard idea

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reiko1078

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Sep 1, 2011
Messages
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I love the look of copper components on knives. My idea: I have a bunch of copper pipe. Idike to flatten a bunch of it out and cut little rectangle pieces. Stack the pieces and solder the pieces together so now Id have a little layered copper billet. Slot it shape it and then I would be able to solder it to my tang right? The knife would be made of 1084. Is this possible? I think it would look nice and you should be able to see the layers if you bevel the edges. I guess I won't know if I don't try just wanted some input.
 
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Sounds like a lot of work with no extra result.
A solid block of copper will be better. I even doubt you can get the pipe perfectly flat and solder it solid.
Sell the pipe as scrap and buy the suff you want
 
Sure, explore the options. Why not throw some layers of yellow and/or white brass and/or silver in there too and make some mokume-like stuff? Check out some of Dave Kelly's stuff for some other mind blowing ideas!



 
reiko1078 said:
I love the look of copper components on knives. My idea: I have a bunch of copper pipe. Idike to flatten a bunch of it out and cut little rectangle pieces. Stack the pieces and solder the pieces together so now Id have a little layered copper billet. Slot it shape it and then I would be able to solder it to my tang right? The knife would be made of 1084. Is this possible? I think it would look nice and you should be able to see the layers if you bevel the edges. I guess I won't know if I don't try just wanted some input.
Click to expand...

In your post you said you have a lot of copper pipe. Since copper is selling so high I would sell it for scrap and buy bars of copper in thicknesses you want!

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=899&PMITEM=505-6388

http://www1.mscdirect.com/eCommerce/SearchServlet?scrNtt=copper+bar&scrNtk=default
 
Copper can be hard to cast. It tends to get very porous. You can make small billets of mokume with an oxy-acetylene torch.

Wayne Suhrbier
 
While I have you here, the link master ;), I found a butt load on Google but any particular tutorial that you recommend?
 
Well I have about 8 feet of 2 inch copper tube. I wouldn't make a whole lot selling as scrap I don't think. I do have a one brick forge though and would love to know more about casting copper
 
Patrice Lemée;10276455 said:
While I have you here, the link master ;), I found a butt load on Google but any particular tutorial that you recommend?
Click to expand...

For a quick answer

There are 2 approaches
1-Foil wrapped long soak in an electric kiln at good temp control

2-Eyeballing the temp in a flame forge watching for a glisten, wet look.


James Binnion uses temp control and Steve Midgett eyeballs it.

They both have websites and other info


http://www.mokume-gane.com/Papers/SantaFePaper.pdf

Mokume Gane by Ian Ferguson
http://www.amazon.com/Mokume-Gane-Ian-Ferguson/dp/0873499018
has a really detailed systematic approach
This book is really worthwhile even for the list of metals and patinas with photos


Steve Midgett has a book and video.
You may be able to get one of the books directly from him, Amazon prices are stupid.
Se if you can ask for it in your library


You can search coin mokume for a quick and dirty try it now.
I've done it with USA coins, copper and nickel - Canadian coins don't work.
The key is cleaning and temperature
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s71b4azPSg



Ariel shows how, as a container dry weld
http://www.aescustomknives.com/docs/tutorial12.htm


I say 1 brick forge, because using your "good" forge for other metals will contaminate it for welds and such.
 
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