Nick Wheeler Prototype Fighter. "Oh YEA "......

It's all you Joe! and you too Nick! ...;)

Now the wait begins till it's in my hands! :D
 
So I'm taking 75% deposits and would like a ticket to Mexico please. ;) :p :D

We had a small hiccup because I burned through all my coarse belts and didn't have enough G10, but both things have been remedied, and Joey told me the ticker doesn't start counting until Coop's photo gets posted. Knife was sent out to CT this morning. :eek: :foot: ;) :)

I am SOOO excited about this project!!! :D :thumbup: :cool:

Thanks again everyone! :) :) :)
 
Nick we have faith in you....no lack of material or sanding belts are going slow you down!

It is only about a 2 1/2 hour drive between my house and coops in CT.....lucky i'm heading up to Maine for the weekend with the girlfriend or I may be tempted drive to CT to "jack" the mailman for a quick picture with the proto fighter :)

NickWheeler said:
So I'm taking 75% deposits and would like a ticket to Mexico please.

We had a small hiccup because I burned through all my coarse belts and didn't have enough G10, but both things have been remedied, and Joey told me the ticker doesn't start counting until Coop's photo gets posted. Knife was sent out to CT this morning. :eek: :foot: ;) :)

I am SOOO excited about this project!!! :D :thumbup: :cool:

Thanks again everyone! :) :) :)
Click to expand...
 
jdm61 said:
So, Nick..........how fine of a polish did you put on the rolling pin that Angi threatens you with when you get distracted?:D
Click to expand...

2,000X, but I did it with the lathe spinning at 2500 rpm so it's more like an 8,000 grit finish. ;) :D

In all seriousness, she's nothing but positive... even those times that I get all pissed off when I royally screw something up.
 
I didn't check the manual, but I don't think it's a trade secret. ;) :)

I just took it to a 400 grit J-flex belt on the grinder, then did the hand sanding clean-up... a little at 320 in the funky spots, then 500, then 800, and buffed lightly with a 10" spiral sewn wheel and white compound. :) Easy as 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 37! ;) :D
 
NickWheeler said:
I didn't check the manual, but I don't think it's a trade secret. ;) :)

I just took it to a 400 grit J-flex belt on the grinder, then did the hand sanding clean-up... a little at 320 in the funky spots, then 500, then 800, and buffed lightly with a 10" spiral sewn wheel and white compound. :) Easy as 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 37! ;) :D
Click to expand...

Thanks. I like step 37.
 
It's a wrap. I've sent the final images to the guys, who will post here or maybe in another thread.

Just incredible feel, fitment, and aura.

Coop
 
Thanks Jim

Here is the link to the update thread

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...o-Fighter-Update-Thread?p=9902306#post9902306

Here is the fantastic work of Jim Cooper


Wheeler_110814-web.jpg


Wheeler_110814A-web.jpg
 
Last edited:
Hey Guys :)


One of the knives needed to be shaped a little differently, and a few of the blades I had already forged ended up too "thin" ;) When you're used to coming in at a finished thickness of 0.180-0.250.... it throws things off track a bit to go so thick at the ricasso. I snapped some photos of today's hammering and thought I'd share it here. I needed to hammer out 3 more blades from W2..... May have even hammered out one of those funny blades with the layers and stuff. ;) :)

It doesn't look like the size of a pop can here... but that's a pretty stout chunk of W2 :)
standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg
 
I cannot believe I missed this thread somehow. Please tell me one is still available.

EDIT: Dang! I just read they are all spoken for. :( Please let me know if one becomes available somehow.
 
Last edited:
Looking good Nick, really nice knife. Funny blade with layers and stuff sounds pretty cool. I would sure like to see that one when it's done.


Jon
 
I really like the updates and showing the progression in the smithing!
It is a good learning tool and makes us even more excited about seeing our finished knives!

Very cool! Thanks nick!

Jeff
 
Turns out a couple of the previous blades weren't going to cut it, so I need 4 more....

[video=youtube;xqc2cEnxSMw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqc2cEnxSMw[/video]

[video=youtube;mET7my2YRKQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mET7my2YRKQ[/video]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top