Newbie collaboration knife?

After looking the designs over again, I have to wonder why we're even discussing full-tang construction for the hunter. The match to the camp knife in design is very nice IMHO and that design just doesn't lend itself to full tang construction. Heck, look at the design, there's only one pin, and a second pin would completely screw up the wire inlay.

I know that the original thought was to do a full-tang knife in this so that we could "prove" that we could do multiple types of handle construction. Personally, I think it would be better to prove that we can design a nice, coherent set and execute it properly, making the choices that are appropriate for the design. Hubris is great and all, but sometimes it should be tempered with a little reason....or something... ;)

-d
 
After looking the designs over again, I have to wonder why we're even discussing full-tang construction for the hunter. The match to the camp knife in design is very nice IMHO and that design just doesn't lend itself to full tang construction. Heck, look at the design, there's only one pin, and a second pin would completely screw up the wire inlay.

I know that the original thought was to do a full-tang knife in this so that we could "prove" that we could do multiple types of handle construction. Personally, I think it would be better to prove that we can design a nice, coherent set and execute it properly, making the choices that are appropriate for the design. Hubris is great and all, but sometimes it should be tempered with a little reason....or something... ;)

-d


Based on our designs, I agree that both knives should be of the same hidden tang construction. The only reason that we had "tried" to make the hunter of full tang design wasn't to prove that we could make multiple handled constructions, but because, three of our team members only make full tang designs. It would have been a much better way to include them in the tasks with skills that they already possess. Two of those three are "extremely" new to knifemaking, and all three are willing to help in any way possible. I will find a way to include everyone on our team in a "meaningful" way. It doesn't appear that "full tang" construction is the way to do that.

As long as there are no objections from the team, both knives will be of hidden tang construction as drawn up.

Dustin Golat does not have any experience with hidden tang construction, but:

I have a task in mind for Dustin that will fit his area of expertise very well. Dustin definitely has a very important role lined up for him in this endeavor, he just doesn't know what it is yet! :thumbup: :)

I will shoot the other two gentlemen an email to make sure they're still on the team. I really want to keep them on board, but haven't heard from them lately.

Ickie
 
I was telling my brother about our little project. He has been playing around with photography for about 20 years or so. He's actually quite good, but if any of you tell him that I said that, I'll deny it. He specialized in landscapes for many years, but then took some courses in still lifes a few years back and has enjoyed and done both since then.

Anyways, unless someone on our team is a photographer and would like to take the photos, he has graciously stated that he'd be glad to provide photos of our finished project at no charge.

He'll provide us with a CD of the finished photos that I can then copy and send out to the entire team. I know this is a ways down the rode, but it's better to plan now for it.

Ickie
 
He'll provide us with a CD of the finished photos that I can then copy and send out to the entire team. I know this is a ways down the rode, but it's better to plan now for it.

Cool...I guess I better start finding some time to make damascus!

Which brings me to another question for the peanut gallery. Do we have a target layer count or is this one up to me? Or, more to the point, do folks prefer big bold patterns or more subtle ones?

-d
 
Cool...I guess I better start finding some time to make damascus!

Which brings me to another question for the peanut gallery. Do we have a target layer count or is this one up to me? Or, more to the point, do folks prefer big bold patterns or more subtle ones?

-d

I say, do your thing, man :)
Anything short of "Whoa whoa whoa that's not even close to what we talked about" comes within the realm of your creative license, as far as I'm concerned :thumbup:
 
Cool...I guess I better start finding some time to make damascus!

Which brings me to another question for the peanut gallery. Do we have a target layer count or is this one up to me? Or, more to the point, do folks prefer big bold patterns or more subtle ones?

-d

I say do your own thing. It will have to be a pattern that looks good on the small hunter as well as on the larger camp knife and hawk. Use your own judgement.

Trying to keep the pattern similar on the hawk, as compared to the other two knives will difficult, I would think. The hawk is a much beefier hunk of metal and won't be reduced nearly as much as the material for the knives will be reduced. I'm wondering how much the pattern will change as you reduce it down for the hunter and the camp knife billets.

Indeed, it will be a challenge for you. I'm eagerly awaiting what you come up with!

Ickie
 
Indeed, it will be a challenge for you. I'm eagerly awaiting what you come up with!

The plan so far is to make one large billet and twist it at about 1 3/8"-1 1/2" square. The center section will get twisted, drawn down and cut out for the 'hawk. Should be about a 1 1/4"x4" or so piece. Then, the ends will get drawn down 7/8"-1" and twisted a little tighter than the 'hawk section so that when forged down into flat billets they will (hopefully) have about the same appearance of twist. Of course, the pattern on the 'hawk will do some interesting things on the bit end as it's spread in forging, but it should be cool. Given the size of the billet to be twisted, it may end up being more of a maiden's hair pattern (kind of light twist) rather than the traditional (tighter) twist. Mostly because twisting a bar that big is NOT easy, so I'm not doing anything crazy like 2 twists/inch...

I only wish I could work bigger stock so that I could twist a 1 3/4" bar and just cut 1/4" off of each side to get the final 'hawk piece. The removal of the external bits of the billet would bring us into the part of the billet where more activity would be seen (due to greater disruption of material in the center of a twisted bar). My shop just can't do that though...

-d
 
I'd say no more than 1000 folds but if you want to do more, that's fine. Just kiddin'....artistic license is my vote. I'm sure it will be gorgeous!
 
I'd say no more than 1000 folds but if you want to do more, that's fine. Just kiddin'....artistic license is my vote. I'm sure it will be gorgeous!

1000 FOLDS would have a layer count in the millions!!!! Depending on how another project I'm about to start goes, I'll have an idea of layer count. My guess is that it will either be a low layer count (60 or so) for a nice bold pattern, or in the 200-350 range to be a little more "traditional"...I suppose it'll mostly depend on my mood and how hot the weather is once I get to this project. It will be an awfully large billet, so I'd like to keep the amount of drawing reasonable so it doesn't take years to do...

-d
 
1000 FOLDS would have a layer count in the millions!!!! Depending on how another project I'm about to start goes, I'll have an idea of layer count. My guess is that it will either be a low layer count (60 or so) for a nice bold pattern, or in the 200-350 range to be a little more "traditional"...I suppose it'll mostly depend on my mood and how hot the weather is once I get to this project. It will be an awfully large billet, so I'd like to keep the amount of drawing reasonable so it doesn't take years to do...

-d

We're just trying to help you build up those popeye arms!
 
If you guys are going to twist it, 120 layers (starting off with 3/16" 1084 and 2 layers of 0.090" 15N20) makes a really nice pattern :)
 
If you guys are going to twist it, 120 layers (starting off with 3/16" 1084 and 2 layers of 0.090" 15N20) makes a really nice pattern :)

Hrmmm...For a billet this big I'm probably going to have to use my 1 1/2"x1/4" 1084, so it'll probably be 1/4" 1084 alternating with 2 pieces of .065 15n20. I actually have a billet like this all set up and waiting to be welded. The way it sits now, if I cut into 3 parts and re-weld twice we'll be at 117 layers.

Lots of steel to move....the starting billet will be about 1 1/2"x3"x6"....Man, I need a press :D

-d
 
I think Deker should set up a webcast so we can watch the billet being hammered...now that would be fun!
 
Ssssshhhh...I just wanted to see if he'd do it. I wasn't actually going to watch. :)
 
I think that it would get fairly boring after about the 50th fold. :p

Oh, I dunno...if I was folding that many times I'd probably be pretty amusing by that point...of course I'm sure the language would be not family appropriate, but I bet it would be funny to watch. :D

I may use this as an excuse to get some video/pictures of me forging. The only problems are 1) It's summer and my wife (camerawoman) doesn't like the hot and 2) When it's cool enough to forge in the early AM, she's sleeping.

I'll see what I can work out.

-d
 
Oh, I dunno...if I was folding that many times I'd probably be pretty amusing by that point...of course I'm sure the language would be not family appropriate, but I bet it would be funny to watch. :D

I may use this as an excuse to get some video/pictures of me forging. The only problems are 1) It's summer and my wife (camerawoman) doesn't like the hot and 2) When it's cool enough to forge in the early AM, she's sleeping.

I'll see what I can work out.

-d


Count your blessings deker. My wife is an early bird. She is usually out of bed two to three hours before me. When I get up, she has already done more than I'll do all day. She's like a one woman marine. My problem is that when I get up, and want to have my cup of coffee and read the paper, I first have to listen to everything that she's already done. For instance, I got up at 7 a.m. this morning and she had already washed two loads of laundry, swept and scrubbed the kitchen floor, emptied the dishwasher of the clean dishes and vacuumed and dusted the family room. Of course, I got the entire rundown of what she had already done. Eventually, I'm sitting out on the deck with my coffee and newspaper, and she's buzzing around like a little hummingbird. Watering plants, weeding the garden, and a million other little things.

Now don't get me wrong, I love having a wife who isn't lazy, but just once in a while I wish she'd learn to just sit down, relax, and have a cup of coffee.

Ok, I'll get down off of my soapbox. If I had to choose between the workaholic that I have, or a lazy woman, I'd take my wife any day of the week. I just wish I could get her to relax a little bit more often.

Basically, what I'm saying is that you should cherish those quiet times in the morning!

Ickie
 
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