Russ Andrews Loveless-style fighter with a twist - integral guard! Coop pics added.

RogerP

RogerP

Joined
Feb 28, 2002
Messages
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It's all Danbo's fault. As usual. Danbo talked Russ into making an contemporary rendition of an old-school Loveless-inspired fighter he had done back in the day.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/868812-Russ-Andrews-ElMax-Fighter(incoming-soon)

I loved the look of that El-max / micarta piece, but mused out loud about how nice a damascus / ivory version might be.

Russ heard me.

We got to talking and decided to proceed with the project. But Russ said there was something he always wanted to try in this style of knife - and integral double guard. Whenever a really talented maker tells me that there's something he always wanted to try, that generally gets my attention.

I'll leave it to Russ to chime in when he can about the whys wherefors and how-tos of the project, but here are some pics that tell their own story:

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More to come.

Roger
 
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Looks like a great way to solve the guard issue! I've wanted to try that same method before but had never seen it done and wasn't really sure it would work out...AWESOME!
 
Oh yea, I'm looking forward to seeing how this one comes together.

Thanks for letting us watch.

Take care

Charles
 
Thanks guys...
Installing the guard from the sides allows for a blade that's wider than
the handle.......and the welding not only provides the strongest
joint, but allows etching without compromising solder or epoxy type sealants.

This one was fitted up snug,as I didn't want to count on the steel expansion,
I used kerosene to set the weld, then borax in the hope of eliminating the thin
black lines that kerosene welding leaves....seems to have workrd pretty well...

This blade is 720 layer random....1095 and 15N20....the pattern will look different...
better,I think, as it was done on my press......yup, finally finished it..LOL
 
Way cool!

I think this is more or less how Rodrigo does his integral fighters...and I'm sure this will be equally impressive in a uniquely Russ Andrews way!

Bill
 
An excellent method of construction, however don't understood how a "welded on" guard is integral.
 
Kevin J......I'd guess it's as Integral as damascus.......beyond that....

Kevin E...the upper die assembly has a bit more play than I
want, but I think I can cure that.....Otherwise,it's great....if you
get over this way,I'll be glad for you to try it...
 
billf said:
Way cool!

I think this is more or less how Rodrigo does his integral fighters...and I'm sure this will be equally impressive in a uniquely Russ Andrews way!

Bill
Click to expand...

That's my understanding as well Bill. Still remember that awesome piece of his you brought to Ashokan.

Roger
 
giddy with anticipation...
 
Looking at Tad's integral guard I wondered what a mortised stab was. I clearly see on Russ' knife what it is....

Great WIP Roger! A beauty of a 'bowie in the making' Russ!:thumbup:
 
Man...just when you think youve seen it all....great project and I can not wait until its completed....thanks for the pics

Bj
 
Whoa! This should be good. Looking forward to seeing more of the progress, full well knowing it is always Danbo's fault.

- Je
 
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