Making a 4" fighter (mokume, micarta, san mai)

[ArielSalaverria]

Hey folks,

This is an order from a customer that's currently working overseas.

He already purchased a knife from me and wanted another knife, so I offered this finished blade I had here waiting for a handle. (4 3/4" length, San Mai made with stainless 304 and 1085 with a 52100 core)

He needed a fat drop point so I reground it to this:
(About 4 1/2" length, 4" cutting edge)

He also wanted flat and thin micarta handle in the same pattern as the upper part of the damascus, so I've made that using corn to draw the pattern.

Pretty cool, ah? (You can still see some corn grains there)

Pieces od micarta for the handle along with the blade.

And since he needed a guard to prevent his hand to slipper into the blade I've decided to use some 1010/1085/copper mokume I had, as the patterns were just screaming to be used here.

More later this week, thanks for looking!


Regards,

Ariel

 

[David Schott]

SWEET micarta. Every post you make causes me to rethink how I can do things. Thanks for that!

 

[Mark Nelson]

I have been making some micarta after seeing the stuff that you have done in the past and I think that the stuff I make is pretty good, but the stuff that you make Ariel is the best.

Oh and the blacde is just crazy. I love the stuff you do. Great work and thanks!

 

[rhrocker]

I always learn something when you post. Thank you.

 

[ArielSalaverria]

Thank you for the comments, guys!

More


Two micarta pieces, already hand carved for the exact shape of the blade's spine.

After gluing them together (either resin or cianoacrilate gel) press with a manual press to make just one piece out of them.

After it dries, I fill it with the same glue to later place the spine of the knife there.

After it begins to harden, I place it on a vise , making sure to use THICK leather pieces as not to damage the blade.

Now with the blade completely secured on the vise, I use a screw press (the carpenter type) to achieve a perfect fit with the guard and handle.

Once this dries up, I'll be ready to work on the shape of the guard and handle.


Thanks again for looking!


Regards,

Ariel

 

[Lucky Bob]

Jeez, man. Using corn? Pure genius!

 

[donutsrule]

Cant wait for the next set of pics!

 

[Larry S.]

Always innovative and interesting, Ariel!

 

[Will52100]

Cool, now hurry up and finish it and post the photo's

 

[DSLinthorne]

Ariel, that micarta turned out great! can't wait to see this finished :thumbup:
Steve aka paintfool

 

[ghost squire]

Thats really neat looking! Would you mind telling me how you did the micarta thing? What is that black fluid and what does it do?

 

[ArielSalaverria]

Thanks again for the kind words, they encourage me to make more of these type of threads. I will be making a full size tutorial of this later this week.


Adding a mokume pin to make the handle even more secure (and to decorate it a little bit more)

Detailed view:

Finished knife

Regards,

Ariel

 

[ArielSalaverria]

Some answers to questions I got about this

Do you have any tutorials (or know of any) that describe to shape the scales? Grind? With what?

I just work it as I work wood, I first use an 80 grit belt, then 150, then 220, and then 400.
Once I get there, I polish it with a regular polishing cloth, without applying much pressure.

That leaves a shinny finish (how shinny depends on the type of clothings used)

how long do u leave the piece to set?i'm assuming this depends on the set time of the resin? this turns out as strong as regular micarta?

This IS micarta, just that I've make it on my shop instead of buying it
I've had a hard time breaking knife handles b hammering them with a 4 pounds hammer on the anvil, so I guess it's pretty resistant

the process is basically layering the fabric with the resin,manipulating to form the pattern,letting it all set in the press, right?

That's exactly right! And once you have the solid block, you can also add patterns by cutting it sideways, or texturing it, or shaping it, etc.

Stupid question time: Why turn it sideways and then clamp it? What is different from keeping it vertical and letting gravity push the tang into the handle?
Is it to keep more epoxy in contact with the guard (and prevent bubbles/air space from being next to the guard)? Or is it extra insurance that the guard fits flush against the handle?

I wanted to press it REALLY hard, way more than the mere gravity force, so I've used a clamp for that. I've used it sideways just because of how my vice is attached to my working desk, but it can be vertical or diagonal as well.
The point it to press all pieces together for an exact fit

Thats really neat looking! Would you mind telling me how you did the micarta thing? What is that black fluid and what does it do?

Could you give us a step by step on how you did the "micarta" ? What types of material did you use? What type of resin/glue ? How did you use popcorn to develop the pattern?

how do u make your micarta [if it's not a trade secret]?what resin/glue/epoxy do u use?

Please take a look at this page of my website:
http://www.aescustomknives.com.ar/docs/knifemakingtextmicarta.htm

Or you can make a search on the threads I've started on the forums and check out other process pictures I've been posting

That "black fluid" is just the transparent resin, that appears black as it's dripping on the black micarta

The resin I use is the one that's used to repair fiberglass boats (it's either called fiberglass or epoxy resin)

As for brands, I don't know, I get them on industrial sized containers from a friend, but you should follow the instructions on the packaging to get the proper mix with the hardener.


Regards,

Ariel

 

[kenda]

Just found your 'tutorial' on making a damascus knife, micarta etc.! This is absolutely fantastic.

Not only did you create a beautiful knife, you have pictures of the process and have told each process step by step. I am impressed. You are not only an excellent craftsman, you know how to use your time wisely and do not mind sharing with others, all great attributes of character!

 

[rebeltf]

That is absolutely wonderful.
The micarta turned out great , it looks just like the Damascus.
:thumbup:

 

[Mike Davis]

Just found your 'tutorial' on making a damascus knife, micarta etc.! This is absolutely fantastic.

Not only did you create a beautiful knife, you have pictures of the process and have told each process step by step. I am impressed. You are not only an excellent craftsman, you know how to use your time wisely and do not mind sharing with others, all great attributes of character![/QUOTE

i have to agree on both accounts, it looks awesome and you dont have a problem sharing your trade secrets. i think that is what shows that your a truly genuine craftsman! i think that is what makes a man!(or woman)

 

[Adlai Stein]

Ariel,
That is the most beatiful knife I have ever seen. Truley a work of art. all the patterns flow and blend in a completely natural way. My hats off to you sir.
Plus anyone who has the same name as my son is automaticly tops in my book.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Great photos, and another fantastic knife.

 

[Will52100]

Cool, good to see the finished product and what goes into making it too.

 

[bennett]

That's one of the wildest knives I've ever seen, Ariel! Awesome work:thumbup: