Ron Newton MS - the making of a damascus / ivory spearpoint Bowie.

[John White]

Roger,

Thanks for a look at a serious master at work.

John

 

[Bastid]

Roger,

Thank you for doing this. Also give my thanks to Ron. In addition to his admirable talent, he is one of my favorites as a person that I have gotten to know over the years.

gus

 

[RogerP]

Thanks gents. Marcel - it's not surprising that you have a Newton in your personal top 10 - but inquiring minds want to know which one - so post it up!

Some more on the build - time to get busy with the hand-sanding:

The hand sanding begins on the ricasso flats with 120 grit sandpaper and a copper backup bar to keep from marring the blade.

When progressing to the next higher grit the sanding angle changes from left 45 degree to right 45 degree. This helps to see when all the lower grit marks have finally sanded away.

The water and baking soda solution. The soda makes the water slippery and aids with the sanding. It also keeps the blade from rusting.

After sanding with 120,220,320,400,600,800,1200,1500 and finally reaching 2,000 grit the sanding direction is inline, linear with the blade. Next, all the other areas are sanded to 2,000 grit.

The damascus gets etched in 4 parts distilled water and 1 part ferric chloride. After 60 second etches the dissolved 1095 steel residue gets wiped off the blade with a damp paper towel. 15 minutes is enough to get a deep topography etch.

The first one minute etch and wipe down.

The completed damascus blade after 15 minutes of etching and a re-polish with 2500 grit sandpaper.

I told you there's be some shimmer happening!

Roger

 

[Kyle Royer]

That's what we want to see!!! Looking good. Love the damascus...

 

[Jon Brand]

Yeah man, you know I know I love ladder pattern. Thats so good looking. And I know you love ladder also, so congrats.

 

[Marcel54]

Thanks gents. Marcel - it's not surprising that you have a Newton in your personal top 10 - but inquiring minds want to know which one - so post it up!

Roger, you asked for it and here it is. It's a very special dagger made a few years back for my favorite knife-buddy:thumbup:. Actually this knife was the reason why we had first contact.

Marcel

 

[RogerP]

Ah yes - I remember that one Marcel - just a gorgeous dagger and sheath.

Jon - I love a great many complex patterns, but ladder is my all-time fave and the one I have retruned to most over the years.

Roger

 

[bobbywett]

Yay!!......I've officially bookmarked 3 tremendous tutorials this week. Thanks Roger!

 

[Win Heger]

Ron is a good friend and one of my favorite makers. He's so darn talented, never ceases to amaze me. Thanks a lot for posting this, Roger.

Win

 

[OldPhysics]

Absolutely NO need to cease the WIP Threads.

I love 'em!

 

[jklein7401]

Marcel thanks for posting the Narwhal Dagger up, it is one of my all time favorites as well. I agree with many folks here, Ron is about as good as they get. Roger you are 110% correct his ladder is second to none. I picked up this D-Guard last year in Boston and think the ladder pattern on this one is another fine example of his work.

Great choice, looks like it will be a fantastic piece.

Thanks for posting the whole process.

Jon

 

[canineforge]

What fun! Thanks for posting this, Roger. Ron is one of the best, and it is great seeing the progress going on here. Looking forward to seeing another great Newton. :thumbup:

- Joe

 

[RogerP]

Jon - one of the many great things about that D-guard is that Ron ran a tight ladder not only through the length of that big blade, but through the D-guard as well. Very cool.

Roger

 

[BrianThie]

Thanks for putting this together this Roger -- and Ron. It is very enjoyable and is looking like it is going to be a fantastic piece!

Brian

 

[Manuel Quiroga G.]

Great WIP! Can't wait to see the end of it...

 

[RogerP]

I'd also like to add my thanks to Ron. While I am happy to post up the images, he did the real work in taking them and providing the description. Not to mention, y'know, making the knife while he was at it. I got the easy part. Plus, having TWO wips ongoing for incoming knives at the same time is beyond fun for me.

Okay, next chapter:

Marking the blade with my name and mastersmith mark using a 40 volt DC deep etch.

Broaching the fossil walrus ivory handle with a 2004 model Perry handle broach made of very sharp D2 tool steel. A 1/4" hole was drilled all the way through before scraping with the 1/4" broach.

The walrus ivory fitted to the hidden tang.

Torch heating a 1" square 200 layer damascus bar for the guard.

Twisted 200 layer damascus.

Forge heating the twist bar for straightening under the 25 ton hydraulic press.

Rectangular shaping the twist damascus under the press.

Hand filing the slot in the rough shaped guard.

The roughed guard fitted to the blade.

 

[Michael Starr]

Looking good, Roger.
Fantastic piece of ivory - some of the most beautiful ladder in the business - you are going to be one "happy camper".

Keep the pictures coming - I NEVER tire of threads like this - a master artisan at work!

 

[stickfigureforge]

I'm just curious. Could anyone elaborate on on what the solvent is that's being used in lieu of borax?

 

[Lon Humphrey]

Roger thanks for a look into a Master Smiths shop its cool to see some little tricks on how they go about things

 

[jdm61]

Did I say that this thing would have a tight ladder pattern? i should have said that it would be a TIIIIIIIIIGGGGHHHHTTTT pattern. I too would like to know what this mystery hydrocarbon substance is because those 20 mules keep pooping on my shop floor..