New Laminated Integral

B

Burt Foster

Joined
Jul 1, 2003
Messages
270
Many of you remember the announcement about the first CLI knife a couple of years ago. The knife represented one of my few truly original concepts. It was a laminated stainless / carbon steel integral knife with a carbon steel core in the blade portion of the knife only, leaving a totally stainless tang. The process seemed simple enough until after that first knife, I hit a wall. Nothing I tried worked, and not knowing what I'd done right that very first time, it was very difficult to duplicate the results. After a couple years of trying, I believe I have solved the problems (and learned a lot along the way!)

This knife is the first in the new generation of CLI blades. Since it was a first, I thought it ought to be a special piece. So here are the details... The knife is made from 416 stainless with a core of 1095. The pattern of the exposed core literally shows every hammer blow required to bring the blade to the shape you see here. Each movement of the steel distorts that core, and leaves that distortion forever in the pattern. The blade also displays a superb version of the "white line" effect of my laminated steel. The white line appears between the carbon and the stainless steel as a result of the particular forging process. It is one of the most distinctive features of these laminated blades.

As for the style of the knife...apparently I had some kind of aversion to straight lines that day because there is literally not a straight line anywhere on the knife. It is one continuous curve, in and out all the way around the piece. The exceptionally long clip, and the very narrow "neck" between the handle and the blade give the blade a very lively and fast feel in the hand. Considering how large the knife is, it almost floats on its own when you hold it.

The handle is some beautiful Musk Ox horn with small domed nickel silver pins. Musk Ox is one of those curiosities of nature, because a musk ox wouldn't make anyone's Top 10 list of most beautiful animals, but hidden beneath all that hair and stink is some of the most beautiful horn anywhere on earth! It is actually translucent, so the light bounces off the patterns inside the horn, giving it a depth that very few materials can match.

The sheath as well, is a bit of a first. I wanted a little something extra to tie the whole package together. So I forge welded a piece of laminated steel onto a section of 416 stainless bar stock, then carved it into a very unique arrowhead-shaped frog stud.

I'd love to know what you (sorry, I live in the South so I mean y'all) think...


camp53-small.jpg



camp53b-small.jpg
 
Wow! That is amazing!!!

I love all the activity in the blade and the solid 416 frame is just too cool.

Thanks for showing.
 
Your work just absolutely blows my mind Mr. Foster. These CLI blades are incredible. Not only are they works of art in the truest sense, but every part of me wants to pick them up and use them. Really magnificent work man.
 
What a visual WAKE UP...!

The internal shaping from forging ahead of and behind the bolster area
(evident on top) is really striking......as is the first impression.....
 
Love it Burt! I keep looking at it to find one or two things to compliment on but the whole piece works so well as a unit. I really dig that the 1095 emerges on the clip and on the edge too. I love that handle material. It almost appears to be a sort of translucent burl. I'm sure that beauty needs to be held to be truly appreciated. Great job bro! Sure wish I had some Nutty Bars to chew on while I wrote this...
Mike
 
In visual terms, that is a high impact piece from tip to butt. I like it a bunch. :) I've been a fan of integrals for eons and a fan of your lamiates for as long as you've been doing them - and this is a terrific combo of both. A big FAST blade is something I really like - so I know this one would make me smile even more if I had it in hand. Very cool knife.

Roger
 
STUNNING Burt! That blade is amazing and the horn looks great too...AND so does the sheath.

VERY impressive package!

Peter
 
For me, it's the art of a knife that's pleasing - and your creation sure has that going for it, in spades. It's a beauty - and musk ox is a favorite. Every line, every feature - it's gorgeous.

Best,

Bob Betzner
 
Burt,

That is amazing. You did not show us how to do that in class. I think my favorite thing about knife making is the unending possibilities as you have shown so clearly here. Beautiful work.
 
Just bloody unbelievable. Incredible. Awesome. That is a fantastic piece of work Burt. That's it. I'm doing it.. I just don't care anymore that stainless is supposed to be hard to weld.
 
Amazing....stunning contrasts and superlative forging of that laminated-steel plus the handle material along with your leather-work create quite the ulimate package....Merry Christmas to someone!!! :cool:
 
That is something else!:eek:

Absolutely superb piece of work. :cool:

It's got me thinking that it's time I fired up the forge again...laminated stainless has been on my mind since I first tried it earlier this year.;):D

Certainly addictive, and it's a pleasure to see some work from the laminate master. :thumbup:

Thanks for sharing.

Ian
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top