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Two Feathers

Joined
Apr 22, 2018
Messages
13
Howdy folks I hope I'm in the right place for this? I'm new to forums so I don't know for sure?
I'm retired and have been making knives since 1966, but not as artistically as you people. My knives were always more generically used, ranch hands, guides, farmers, hunters, first responders, etcetera. About a year ago I started on a kick making "period correct" patch knives for the Black Powder shooter/reenactor community. I have a small business called "The Mountain Man Emporium." I make most things Black Powder related. I've tried to recreate that "16th. century Blackened" look on my 1095 HC blades, but the only thing I can come up with is the Blackish color from my forge which unfortunately wears off. I thought about Ferric Chloride, but the dangers and cost is a bit intimidating and prohibitive (S/S income). I've since seen that some folks use Muratic Acid? Will this give me the look I'm going for? It's easy to get and fairly inexpensive. I realize that this is a relatively broad based and subjective question, but I though this would be the place to ask it. I appreciate any and all help.
God bless:
Two Feathers
at The Mountain Man Emporium
 
Welcome, feel free to post some pics of your work. As for your questions, might try posting in Knife Maker's section under "Shop Talk" - there they focus on techniques and tips on knife making.
 
Hey Two Feathers... welcome to the forums.

You may get some answers here but you should head on over to Shop Talk in the General Knifemaker's Discussion Forum.

My Question to you would be. Were the knives back in the 16th century actually "black and rustic looking"? I make gear for reenactors as well and have often felt that the aged/antiqued look everybody seems drawn to is only because we imagine it should look that way. It's historical, so it should look old, right? I'm not so sure. It isn't hard to make and maintain work with a high fit and finish... and since these mountain men relied on their gear to keep them alive, doesn't it make sense that they kept it in good order? Just a thought.

And I make a living off of the rustic, worn look...... so I have a vested interest in keeping that presumption going! Ha!
 
Hello Rick, Thank you for the welcome.
Name here is Dave, Two Feathers is a hanger-oner from my days with the Mountain Man Living History Village in the 70's. People remembered me by it, so I kept it.

I don't make a living at this, Retired, and my work is probably very minimalistic by comparison to your member's work? I'm just trying to recoup my investment in equipment, machinery, and supplies, a few bucks doesn't hurt either. As for posting pictures, I don't know how...(too old) lol. I have a small online store that piggybacks off of a friend's website, and whenever I need a pic. of some new item posted, he has to do it for me. I email him the pictures and he posts them. I have very few issues with emailing pictures, but posting to a website just plain confuses the heck out of me! I had an Ischemic Left Brain stroke in 2013, so I'm in over my head with some of this stuff. Hand and finger Dexterity issues and a small amount of mobility problems. I still try like the devil though! :)

You raise a very valid point in regard to the historical accuracy of that "Old" blued/patina look? I've never seen a 300 year old knife, (or at least one that I can, beyond a doubt, verify the age of), so it's hard to say what they really DO look like?

I used to tie flies for trout fishing and I always heard that flies and lures were designed to catch more fisherman than fish!? I think there may be a spark of truth to that in this historically accurate knife thing too?

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. As I said, I'm new to forums, and I hate to disrupt the flow by posting to the wrong area, but it seems that I don't see a listing just for making blades?
If there's an easy way to send you some pics. I'd like to show you some of my work for your input? Is there an email address or a private message portal where I can send them? I don't have anything to do with social media (long story). I retired from my job as a Vocational-Technical School teacher in 2016 due to my stroke. I was afraid that it would cause me to do a disservice to my students, and Social media leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Thanks again.
God bless:
Dave
Two Feathers
 
You can contact me directly at rickatwildertoolsdotcom

I believe you have already made a comment in the Makers area with regard to Forged in Fire Knife or Death.

Scroll back up to the top of this page. Under the BladeForums logo, there is a row of menu items...click on Categories and a drop-down menu will appear. You are currently in Knife Specific Discussion ... for technical questions about knifemaking, you want to click on Knifemaker's Discussion. from there you will see the link to Shop Talk

Hope that helped.
 
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Is this one of yours, Dave? These folks like Eye Candy...

06_4_1200.jpg
 
Rick Marchand said:
Is this one of yours, Dave? These folks like Eye Candy...

06_4_1200.jpg
Click to expand...
Rick
???? Yup... this IS one of mine, but how the heck did it get HERE. I didn't post anything, I don't know how? I have more of this knife and sheath, but I don't know how to get them here?
Thanks:
Dave
 
skillgannon said:
Ferric chloride isn't that expensive. You can get a liter on Amazon for about $16 with free shipping.
Click to expand...
skillgannon
Thank you. I didn't realize that.
On a fixed income (S/S) I have to watch every penny, so I just figured with Muratic Acid, I could shave a few bucks?
I appreciate your expertise, thank you again.
Two Feathers
 
Two Feathers said:
skillgannon
Thank you. I didn't realize that.
On a fixed income (S/S) I have to watch every penny, so I just figured with Muratic Acid, I could shave a few bucks?
I appreciate your expertise, thank you again.
Two Feathers
Click to expand...
I kept making small batches and used up about half of mine. Then I finally made a nice container for it out of pvc pipe and blended it with vinegar. I'm not sure if that's the best way to do it but it works good. You don't use it full strength anyway so a liter should do you for a while. I love your knife. I love period type pieces. I hope you can share more.

I use imager to post pics.
hopefully this video will help. I didn't watch it so if it isn't what you need then search for a better video. Photo bucket is no longer free so don't use it. It used to be the best and that's why you will see that a lot if pics no longer show. It's been a big loss .
 
Two Feathers ... lol... I posted that image from Dan's Mountain Man site. You can use his site as an "image host"(you might want to ask him, though) but it involves lots of clicks and fancy copy/pastes. Best to have someone sit down with you and show you.

Also keep in mind that you need a Knifemaker membership to post your wares for sale. Pics of your works are fine but no "available for purchase" or "contact me for details" type stuff allowed. No links to sale sites, either. This is a place to show off and ask for input, not sell.... at least without the right membership.
 
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skillgannon said:
I kept making small batches and used up about half of mine. Then I finally made a nice container for it out of pvc pipe and blended it with vinegar. I'm not sure if that's the best way to do it but it works good. You don't use it full strength anyway so a liter should do you for a while. I love your knife. I love period type pieces. I hope you can share more.

I use imager to post pics.
hopefully this video will help. I didn't watch it so if it isn't what you need then search for a better video. Photo bucket is no longer free so don't use it. It used to be the best and that's why you will see that a lot if pics no longer show. It's been a big loss .
Click to expand...
skillgannon
Thanks. I tried Photobucket once then all of the sudden it went to a Pay service, that put the brakes on that. I'm no good with posting photos. Waaaay too old for these confounded computers, I'm a knife maker, not a Tech. head:D
I'm glad that you like my knife and sheath. I have a ton of them photoed, but not tech savvy enough to post them?
Name is Dave by the way. As I told Rick, the Two Feathers is an old Hanger-Oner from my living history village days, it stuck so I kept it. It works out well on the store site.
God bless:"
Dave
 
Rick Marchand said:
Two Feathers ... lol... I posted that image from Dan's Mountain Man site. You can use his site as an "image host"(you might want to ask him, though) but it involves lots of clicks and fancy copy/pastes. Best to have someone sit down with you and show you.

Also keep in mind that you need a Knifemaker membership to post your wares for sale. Pics of your works are fine but no "available for purchase" or "contact me for details" type stuff allowed. No links to sale sites, either. This is a place to show off and ask for input, not sell.... at least without the right membership.
Click to expand...
Rick
Dan's Mountain Man site?????? Who the heck is Dan and how'd he get my photo? I never posted it anywhere except in the store?
I understand that I cannot sell my knives here and that's not an issue. I'm looking more for feedback, criticism, direction and a chance to show my period work. Thank you Rick.
God Bless:
 
Sorry Dave... my mistake... Frontier Muzzleloading. My first search brought up Dan's Mountain Man Emporium... but it is all books.
 
joedhiggins said:
I would definitely recommend dilute FC. 25% strength. Maybe also use some Jax steel blackener too.
Click to expand...
joed
Thanks, I never heard of Jax steel blackener, but I'll give it a look fer. The people here are really nice, welcoming, and helpful. Some sites I don't find that on?
Blessings:
Dave
 
It is a bit pricey, but it lasts a long time. You get a lot of knives from one bottle. Not super durable, but pretty good.
 
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