Mosaic damascus dagger

Thank you everyone for the kind words :)

It would be deceitful if I didn't admit to this knife kicking my butt. I had forged out something like 4 or 5 blades in W2 for the clay hardened version... none of which worked out. Then I forged another blade out of a jelly-roll billet, but got some deep hammer marks that made that one go in the bin. Finally this one was cooperating... but that grind was not a piece of cake (for me) I had thought about hollow grinding, but the bevels have to flow with the profile---so to do that and maintain a uniform thin edge and straight/crisp centerline, I opted for a flat grind. There was a lot of stone/sand paper work to get it up to 1500X before I etched it.

Trying to have a smooth sculpted (SYMMETRICAL) handle that also had the "sharp" flats on the sides turned out to be quite the headache too... but in the end I am really glad that this knife was ordered because it's one of those pieces that forced me to learn something new. :)

Thanks folks! :)
 
Gorgeous damascus, great lines, quality sheath - I'd be pretty happy too. Well done Nick - and congrats to Sir Garsson on this fine addition.

Roger
 
Very nice piece- quick question: that's a very nice looking makers' mark- care to share with a relative beginner how you apply that? It looks etched, but it's so crisp...
Thanks!
Andy

Oh, and speaking of the failed blade bin- I've seen some intriguing patterns made from random scraps.
 
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Superb collaboration, congrats to both of you. Nick, as great as the "explosion-ish" steel looks, the best photo you took is this one:

NickWheeler said:
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Click to expand...

It really captures the quality of your work, from the beautiful lines to the tight guard fit, to the crisp symmetrical grinds, to the super clean fitting of the handle and ferrule.

A truly exceptional piece.
 
Beautiful piece, Nick. Fantastic, indeed.
Why do you call it a "ferrule"/spacer?
A ferrule wraps around and encompasses the handle material - is that the case here?
 
Yes. I'm pleased for the both of you. Long worth-the-wait, and finished, time-to-move-along. This is classic NW. :D

The subtleties floor me: That bevel in the grind flows back outward, but the profile carries the shape back in. Love how the bevel shoulder (Usually a critical point with you, Steven?) is proud in this area. I particularly like that.

I looked VERY closely at that flat to round at the handle. You nailed it. And, I see how tricky that would be. The flat is easy, and it reveals symmetry (or lack of).

The depth of the filed channels in the spacer, the satin finish, and the focus/out-of-focus mosaic. Trippin'!

There's more, but you get the idea. I get it, too. It's got OGP: (An Obsessive Grasp at Perfection).

Thanks for the post. No critique from me on the photos. I'm pleased. They make ME look good.... ;)

Coop
 
Thanks again guys :)

Karl, I always label them that way because I've heard many makers incorrectly call it a ferrule so I've found a lot of folks have come to think of anything in that space as a ferrule. So I put <ferrule> in quotes to sort of signify it like a pseudo ferrule. It really is just a spacer between the guard and handle.... so me writing it that way is kind of my attempt to encompass both the folks that would incorrectly call it a ferrule, as well as those that know or understand that it's a spacer. Geez, now I'm confused. :o :foot: ;)
 
Gotcha, Nick. I just didn't understand the "quotes". Now I do.
(I think the confusion is mostly the makers. At least many perpetuate it.)
I still like the knife.:D
 
Nick I Love that knife it really came out nice as do all the knives I have sean of yours congrats Steven on a fine score
 
well now that the cat's outta the bag, I have to reiterate how 'Garsson' this knife is.
The true colors of a great maker come out in making a custom knife FOR another person. Like the one you made for me- I can't imagine a more 'Lorien' knife.
Now I don't know Steve too well yet, but we're gradually getting to know one another, and Steve- man this knife is just so you! IMO.
Deadly.
 
SharpByCoop said:
Yes. I'm pleased for the both of you. Long worth-the-wait, and finished, time-to-move-along. This is classic NW. :D

The subtleties floor me: That bevel in the grind flows back outward, but the profile carries the shape back in. Love how the bevel shoulder (Usually a critical point with you, Steven?) is proud in this area. I particularly like that.
Click to expand...

I found what Nick did with the upset choil region/bevel shoulder to be interesting in this case, Jim. It isn't something that I would request or normally even accept, but he kicked butt with it, and it is a superb knife. In this case, I simply find it unnecessary, but one does not really tell Nick Wheeler, as in the case of many other great makers, what to do. One makes suggestions, and gracefully accepts the ordered knife, or not. In this case...."from my cold, dead hands", lol.

There was very little luck in the case of this knife. This knife is the result of very hard work on the part of Nick, the willingness to be patient and collaborative on both of our parts, perseverance and some very long and intense conversations initiated by myself over the course of 7 years. There is only one other maker that I am waiting on at this point, and the 50 maker collection will be complete, happily after starting it in 1986, some 25 years. The pieces by Nick are some of the most satisfying....those of you that know, know why.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Congrats, STeven and Nick !! :thumbup: :thumbup:
A Spectacular collaboration !! :cool:

Doug
 
I'm elated that STeven is happy... at least so far ;) :D I think it looks a lot better in hand, so hopefully he'll only be happier in a couple days. :)

His description of how it came to be is spot on. There's a huge part of me that wishes it had worked out faster/simpler for STeven, but there's a small part that realizes these kind of things form who/what we are and help (hopefully) to guide us in where we're goin'. :)

Jeff... funny you mention that! It was hands down my and Angi's favorite photo as well.

Coop is always the super wordsmith in describing knives! :D Thanks Coop! :)

Oh, and Stuart! Sorry I forgot to answer you, the fittings are hand sanded to 1200X... but they aren't blasted or tumbled or anything like that. So there is a sanding scratch pattern, it's just very fine. :)

THANKS EVERYONE!!! :)
 
Don't know how I missed this

Whimsical enough to be interesting ang elegant enough to be timeless

Love the leather and oversized stud


Congrats to all on a awesome piece
 
Steve and me must be bros then lol
 
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