Pocket Inlays

george tichbourne

george tichbourne

Joined
Apr 19, 1999
Messages
3,560
I tried something new yesterday, a pocket inlay. The handle scale is milled out from the back and the "window " is cut out. The Blacklip MOP is left almost full size and is laid into the pocket behind the window. This technique recesses the MOP thus reducing chances of scratching the MOP. Blade is Stellite, scales are Damasteel.
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Now it is back into the shop to filework it and finish the handle assembly in time for the show tomorrow.
 
That is gorgeous, George! I remember the thread where you said you were going to make what you wanted with this material. If this is the result- KEEP IT UP!!:) I hope you and Carol will have some pic's and info to share about the show.
 
Ok now what? I have run into a roadblock After polishing the pearl, gluing it into the pocket and pinning the scales in place I find that polishing the pin heads has me stopped. Tried polishing the pins...scuffed the etched damasteel...ok I buffed out the scuffed area and the pin head....now I have to re etch the polished area....Problem!! pearl does not like acid!...Tried masking off and re etching....left a line at masking.

Going to break for lunch then will remove handle and start all over again....probably going to texture the pin heads this time. Progress report later.
 
could you apply your etching compound with a small (very small) brush
to the pins only?

or put it on like french polish with a rag?

or mask off your MOP put a dab of etch compound on the dammaged area and move the compound to where it is needed with a dry paint brush.

(wonderful touch up technique gleaned from working with graffic artists)
they may not help but

the knife is stunning

good luck Eric
 
Screws are out, holes are already drilled to 3/32".

Took the handle apart, repolished, re etched and reassembled. Tried using sterling silver pins this time and cold headed them....well let's put it this way, the first pin cold headed perfectly.....the second had a mind of it's own....would NOT co operate.

I was getting too tired to put up with it any more tonight so I put it away for another day. I will just have to go to the show without it tomorrow.
 
They make a peel away latex masking liquid that is available at any good art supply store. That might work for masking off the pearl. It's very easy to use, just paint it on and let it dry for a half hour then you're good to go. I realize that your time is short but maybe it will be of some help in the future. Beautiful knife George! Please post pics of the finished piece if you get the chance.:)
 
Boy George that sure looks good! I'm sure once you find a proceedure that works or you that you will be pleased enough to try another. By the way fingure nail polish seems to act as a good resist for me when I'm etching damascus. I use muriatic -HCL- acid to do my etching. Lots of sucsses in achieving your goal. Regards Frank
 
I am using the HCL myself but have been reluctant to use a mask up to now for fear of damaging the MOP. My main concern is acid seeping behind the scales even though they are sealed with epoxy and attacking the MOP from behind. My favourite masking material up to now has been heavy axle grease or waterproof No Corrode grease.

I have been giving the pin heading a bit of thought and think I have come up with an answer....redesign my heading tool and soft anneal the sterling silver with a torch. If that doesn't work out comes the axle grease to seal the tang/scale joint completely and to coat the surface of the MOP. No concerns about the blade, the stellite is impervious to the acid.

Of course replacing the MOP with anodized Titanium would solve all of my problems, just dip the whole thing after pin installation.
 
geogre, i use apple vinager straight. for a damascus etch. comes out great you just have to leave it in for hours or overnight. also you don't get to breathe the acid fumes. this might be easyier on the pearl, but i have not done it. it might be worth a test?
 
WHOA!!! WHOA!!! WHOA!!!

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT USE VINEGAR AROUND PEARL!!!

PEARL WILL DISSOLVE IN VINEGAR!!!

If you don't believe me, place a scrap piece in vinegar.

C Wilkins
 
I talked to a lot of people today at the show and consensus is that removal of Damasteel scales, repolishing and a quick trip to the heat treater is in order. After hardening the and re etching scales so they are not so sensitive to scratching make up a new head spinning tool and beat the daylights out of the pins to round ends without worrying about scuffing the scales. Burnish the pin heads for brightness and it is finished....at least that is the plan...going to try it this week.

I was trying to avoid the trip to the heat treater but the scales are just too susceptable to scuffing in the soft state.

The show was just fine, crowds down a bit and a lot of interest in the stellite blades that I had there.
 
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