March of Dimes fundraiser 2011 WIP

[John M Cohea]

Hi Everyone. Well, the time of year is here when I kick off our yearly March of Dimes fundraisng project thread.
Last year's project was a huge success, and I must say that I am VERY excited about the 2011 project!
Once again, we have some of the biggest names and talents in our industry, and I can't wait to see the results of this effort.
This year's designer and principal builder is David Broadwell. Our blade steel and forged to specs blade blank is coming form the mosaic mind of David Lisch.
Joe Mason will once again provide us with some of his fantastic engraving, and cowhide master Paul Long is back for our sheath.Mark Knapp is donating the ivory handle material, and the two of us will also be collabarating on the display stand.
Coop will once again provide us with fantastic images, and with any luck, we will raise a bunch of money for these needy children.
In order to avoid the confusion of last year's effort, there will be no limit on ticket sales, so everyone that wants to get in on this will have the opportunity.This will be a WIP, so now let's enjoy the forthcoming images from this very talented group of artisans!

 

[D lisch]

I was thrilled to be ask to be part of this project two weeks ago David Broadwell sent me the the spics for the blade and as I found time I worked on it John asked me to take pics as I worked on it and about half way through I started to do just that. so in this first set of pics I am forging down a mosaic billet so that I can tile it

now I will take some tiles from the hart of the billet

I used the mig to hold them together then tig all the way around each tile

 

[D lisch]

Now I forged the tiles together ground and etched the billet so I could see where the welds are.

Now I will grind the welds out of the billet.

Now I will forge it down to a smooth bar about 1/2" thick and 1-1/2" wide.

 

[D lisch]

Now I take this left over pice W's bar and forge it to a square

Then I twisted it up good and tight.

I forged it to the size of the billet and tacked it on the ends with the MIG

After forging it together I cleaned it up and cut it on an angle like this now I am ready to forge it into the blade

 

[D lisch]

Now the blade is ready to go to David B so he can work his magic on it. I am looking forward to seeing how it all turns out thanks agin John for asking me to take part in this project.

 

[SBranson]

Great stuff. Nice work Dave. Your damascus rocks!

 

[Mike Turner]

Dave that is sweeet can not wait to see this one progress.

 

[Lorien]

holy shit that is off the hook! You weren't kidding man, that's wicked:thumbup:

 

[black mamba]

Great looking blade, Dave, and good WIP photos as well.

 

[RogerP]

I'm pulling up a comfortable chair for this one - what a superb team! Lisch is off to a terrific start.

Roger

 

[stabber]

Great Billet/pics!!:thumbup:

 

[Bruce Bump]

Mosaiced, tiled, twisted separate welded damascus edge and hand forged to shape. This is going to be a great blade Dave.

 

[D lisch]

Thank you all I left some room on the blade for David B to work I know he will be carving on the blade or I would have been happy to grind and heat treat. this is a light etch so David can see where things are at. I think when the blade is done this will be some of the most unique steel I have ever made. And I have enough left for about 3 or 4 more Blades.

 

[Wulf]

Looks ike a GREAT start - thanks for sharing these pictures!

 

[Mark Knapp]

Very cool Dave, This is going to be fun.

 

[John White]

Great smithwork, Dave. This will be another top knife for a good cause.

John

 

[MRuthJr]

Hey, thanks for the glimpse of how you made that beautiful steel Dave! I always enjoy these WIP's man, VERY informative!

 

[DC KNIVES]

This is going to be a very cool project and its off to a great start .Classy work Dave.Dave:thumbup:

 

[xaman]

Nice work Dave! This will be fun to watch unfold...

 

[John M Cohea]

Dave my friend, that steel looks fantastic:thumbup::thumbup:! I'm really glad you decided to participate this year, and i really can't thank you and the rest of the team enough!