Meteorite Billet

[Gary Mulkey]

Well, I finally got around to working out the billet of the meteorite. I folded, as well as cut & stacked this so many different ways that I'm not sure what to call the pattern. I did find that I had to work it at welding temperature. It got a little "finicky" when I didn't. I thought that I had lost it once. I tried drawing it a little too fast on the press and got some cracks. I don't think that they were bad welds. Just some shearing cracks. Luckily, with some gentle persuation & light hammer strokes they welded back. Maybe that's why the pattern is what it is.

I intensionally left it a low layer billet. I thought that it added something to the whole meteorite thing.

Here's a picture after a rough grind & quick etch (billet measures 8 1/2" x 1 1/2"):

This has been fun (with a little hair pulling).

hope you like it.

Gary

 

[Burton Harruff]

Looks like an interesting pattern so far. Thanks for sharing keep the progress pics coming.

 

[Allen Newberry]

What kind of knife do have in mind for this one?

 

[jayinhk]

Looks cool. Is that all meteorite?

 

[Gary Mulkey]

What kind of knife do have in mind for this one?

Allen,

I haven't decided what I will make from it. This time of year my main objective is to make the billets that I can make into knives this summer since I won't have the facility there to make damascus in front of the public.

jayinhk,

The shiney layers are the meteorite. The rest of the billet is W2.

Gary

 

[Kohai999]

Allen,

I haven't decided what I will make from it. This time of year my main objective is to make the billets that I can make into knives this summer since I won't have the facility there to make damascus in front of the public.

Gary

It looks, lengthwise, to be a good fighter blade or camp knife if you do a hidden stick tang....be a damn shame to hide half that billet on a full tang.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Allen Newberry]

This time of year my main objective is to make the billets that I can make into knives this summer

Sounds like some good planning. Although, I am more into instant gratification

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Looks like it will be a very bold pattern. I'd be willing to bet that it will look great.

 

[argel55]

Gary as has been mentioned , I always thought your best work was your bowies. It would look fabulous with some whitish ivory.

 

[dbl-edge]

Normally I prefer higher layer counts, but in this case I think you've made a great looking billet with an interesting pattern. And like STeven said, I think hiding half that pattern would be horrible! Either weld on a tang or forge out a narrow tang. Me, I'd make a sub hilt fighter with it, single edge with a flat grind to show off the cool pattern. However, a bowie would do the same thing. If you pulled hair, then you worked hard on this one. Show it off!

David

 

[BrianThie]

Very cool Gary. The pattern looks a lot like the lightning that dances amongst the clouds during thunderstorms around here. Very fitting for being made from something that fell from the sky.

Brian

 

[Gary Mulkey]

Normally I prefer higher layer counts, but in this case I think you've made a great looking billet with an interesting pattern. And like STeven said, I think hiding half that pattern would be horrible! Either weld on a tang or forge out a narrow tang. Me, I'd make a sub hilt fighter with it, single edge with a flat grind to show off the cool pattern. However, a bowie would do the same thing. If you pulled hair, then you worked hard on this one. Show it off!

David

I'm with you on normally liking a higher layer count but I think that this one matched the feel that I had for the meteorite. I will definately weld a tang onto this one. I was concidering doing a Bowie but a fighter may fit it better.

Brian,

Thanks. I was hoping for the "lightning look" though I must admit that some of what I got was "a shot in the dark" as I've not attempted this pattern before.

Mike,

I think you're right about the white handle. Possible a frame tang w/ some file work.

I thank all of you for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it.


Gary

 

[jayinhk]

That reminded me of an Indonesian keris, which were often made with meteorite. Being into pencak silat, I'd make a keris-inspired blade: