My first cable damascus knife, what do you think? Pics

S

stefanj

Joined
Aug 5, 2007
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This is the first finished cable damascus knife I have made. I put some special emphasis on this since it is for my Battalion Commander who is retiring after a long stint in the Army.
The blade is forge welded by me using borax as flux from a section of cable my BN Commander and I found (he helped me load it up in the truck).
The handle is from a deer antler my mother had found about 25 years ago up in the hills.
I etched the blade in muriatic acid and secured it in the handle using liquid nails. I used clay to achieve a hamon and harden the edge while keeping the back softer.

What do you think. I have some areas which are dirty from people touching the blade (I'm going to use some WD40 to clean the blade). I recently waxed the handle to shine it up and help it last longer. It looks a bit better (I have to take some more pictures).

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The bottom is the cable Iforged this from to make the knife. BTW I quenched in P50 (great stuff).
 
The cable blades looks OK, but perhaps could use some more sanding and finishing.
My main concern is the antler tine handle. It does not really fit/match the blade shape and style.
There seems to be a need for some sort of guard, too.
Finally, Liquid Nails is a construction adhesive, and is really not suitable for gluing up knife handles.

As a presentation piece,you want it to be top rate. I think it would be worthwhile to take a second look at the overall design and see if any ideas pop up. Disassembling the knife will be easy if you decide to make changes

I usually trace the blade and make many drawings with different handles/guards to find the one that is most pleasing. This is where paper and pencil really are your friend.
Stacy
 
You are correct! It is missing something but trying to figure out what has been an issue!!
I was almost thinking about a brass band where the tang goes into the handle.

The problem is that I am out of time! So it will go as is.
Maybe I'll make him another one down the road. We'll see.

Thanks for tha advice!!! I need it! Looking at it in the picture and thinking about what you said I now see whatyou are talking about Stacy. The handle realy doesn't fit the blade angle. It is missing something but it is hard to decide between a couple of ideas that I have and comming back off of vacation I don't think I'll get to complete them.
I already have some ideas for my next knife!
Thanks and keep the advice comming please!!!
 
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