playing around with etchant + dremel + beltsander = pics

BryFry

BryFry

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Jul 29, 2009
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Had an extra Swamprat Swamp Warden laying around and decided I wanted to experiment on it. (I like messing around modding knives) So I got out my dremel and used an etching bit to freehand some scroll desing on the blade:

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Then I covered up the edge, soaked it in liquid etchant for about a day, and decided to try out my new beltsander to strip off the factory coating...

003-6.jpg


I did some jimping and rounded the spine while I was at it...

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Not the prettiest, haha... but I'm still learning this proccess! There were some irregularities in the blade that I couldn't completely get out, but using the sander was a fun learning experience! I still have a LOT to learn when it comes to doing this stuff but it's fun trying stuff out!

I want to get ahold of some micarta or something now and try to make some handle scales for it when I get a chance. Then I'll need a new sheeth since it won't fit either of the two I have any more. :)

Thanks for looking!
 
Looks great, your scroll work looks sweet with the swamprat logo.

Have you thought about making your own micarta to make scales with?
 
DaKruiser said:
Looks great, your scroll work looks sweet with the swamprat logo.

Have you thought about making your own micarta to make scales with?
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Thanks! Do you mean make scales out of micarta, or actually make micarta myself?

I haven't done so yet, but I plan to buy some micarta blanks so that I can make some scales from them. I may strip the rest of the coating off this knife as well, since it looks kinda funny right now. :)
 
BryFry said:
Thanks! Do you mean make scales out of micarta, or actually make micarta myself? :)
Click to expand...

You can make your own, it's not to hard. My 11yo daughter and I just made some for her Izula. We used denim and pink t-shirt meterial with a little Fiberglas resin.
 
I like your scrollwork. I think it would be easier if you sanded off the coating first, then cover the blade with a resist and carve your scrollwork into (out of?) that. Lots easier than doing it with a dremel. But, wow, what a steady hand you have!
 
MVF said:
I like your scrollwork. I think it would be easier if you sanded off the coating first, then cover the blade with a resist and carve your scrollwork into (out of?) that. Lots easier than doing it with a dremel. But, wow, what a steady hand you have!
Click to expand...

Thanks, The factory coating already makes a great resist, it dosen't flake off as easy as any resist I could apply myself, so no need to sand it off first.

The dremel is a bit large to use like a pen, but I wasn't sure about what else to use to carve in the designs? Any ideas on that?
 
Update: I ordered some micarta, and made some scales! Added some filework to the spine while I was at it too! :)

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Now I just need a new sheath!
 
Hi BryFry -

Very nicely done, that is a fine looking knife!

Thanks for the pictures -

best regards -

mqqn
 
BryFry said:
Thanks, The factory coating already makes a great resist, it dosen't flake off as easy as any resist I could apply myself, so no need to sand it off first.

The dremel is a bit large to use like a pen, but I wasn't sure about what else to use to carve in the designs? Any ideas on that?
Click to expand...

Other than an engraver, no. My thought was that a more traditional resist would be easier to work with and you wouldn't need to use the dremel.

What a great looking knife you made! Looks like it would feel pretty good in the hand too.
 
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