Stag bowie w/alternative option to full pommel

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
Messages
9,437
Hi Guys- :)


I don't do a lot of knives with pommels. Not because I can't, rather because I typically prefer the look of a knife without one. Usually you can just polish the end of a piece of Sambar stag as it's so solid, but this piece had a little too much pith to leave it that way.

I didn't want to use a full pommel on this knife.... the video and photos explain an alternative option I used. :)



[video=youtube;Zt15nAaQ8sc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt15nAaQ8sc&feature=youtu.be[/video]


medium800.jpg


medium800.jpg


medium800.jpg


medium800.jpg


medium800.jpg


medium800.jpg


medium800.jpg
 
Great idea, you saved me some time and anguish. I didn't know the difference between the two antlers. Also a great idea on the pommel.
 
Love that knife man! I'm a very new kid on the block here, but I'm amazed at the time you take to make the videos and explain things. Really helps a new guy like me understand a lot of different aspects of knifemaking. Thanks
 
Gorgeous bowie, Nick! Very nice treatment of the butt there. Here's another, similar way I thought I'd contribute to the thread, from some (terrible) process pics of a knife from 2010-ish. Threaded tang end, counterbored stag crown, brass bushing made on the lathe, corby-type nut made on the lathe. Of course everything was polished up afterwards...

P_uOfE0e4RJwhML4bD5eOvINUKY1xyb44WoXxxNFVy4=w741-h556-no


IMG_5538.JPG

IMG_5541.JPG

IMG_5576.JPG
 
Brian- I expect to see one from you soon. ;) :D

Droptine- thanks man... this video was geared toward the collectors and makers... I figured I could kill 2 birds with the proverbial stone. Tell collectors what they're looking at, and also explain it as a construction method to makers. :)

Salem- thanks for the photos man, that's awesome!!! :thumbup: I like how that leaves the option of it remaining a take-down too. Way cool buddy. :cool:



Now if any of you guys reading this happens to have a good way to fixture stag to do mill/machine work to the end of it, I would LOVE to hear about it (pics would be even better!).

I didn't trust simply holding this stag in the mill vise (even with neopreme pads or some such thing)... So I used a large-ish angle plate and some hold downs that I made from small channel iron and V-block shaped wood inserts. It was very solid, but also a big PITA to set-up. :foot:
 
I like well done pommels, but can also see the beauty in a finely finished natural end of that stag. Your solution is well executed. I can only imagine trying to get that counterbore just right in the end of the stag... As for the fixture problem...maybe just use those meat hooks of yours? :foot: :D


Jeremy
 
As always, Great looking knife Nick... IMHO, absolutely nothing looks better than a well done antler (though one with a perfect crown and no brow tine is so hard to come by it hurts). Man, if everybody on here was as open and forthcoming with pics and descriptions as you, the quality of knives would exponentially get better. I find myself spending more and more time looking at threads with peoples gadgets and ideas than anything else these days and it's made my life soooo much easier in the shop. and YES... i will get around to putting some pics into place one of these days as well, as i feel like every time i read one of your WIPs that im not pulling my weight.
 
This is one I did in '08 right after I got my JS.
I drilled a 7/8" hole about 1 inch deep into the stag.
Turned a piece of Blackwood on a wood lathe.
Inside the blackwood is a steel ring sitting on a ledge upon which sits the "shoulder" turned onto the finial seen in the first picture.
Of course the stag was pinned to the guard.
Right up to the end, I could take it apart at will.
When all was complete, I epoxied it closed and then filed off the finial flush.







 
As I recall, I wrapped it in a piece of leather, locked it in my vise and drilled it with a cordless hand-held drill.
No reason to over-think it. ;)

NickWheeler said:
Now if any of you guys reading this happens to have a good way to fixture stag to do mill/machine work to the end of it, I would LOVE to hear about it (pics would be even better!).
Click to expand...
 
That's a beautiful knife Karl. I like the two-tone, bulls-eye effect you created with the blackwood.

I over-think most everything. ;) :D

Personally, I don't think I could put the counter-bore in the stag with a hand drill and not get some wiggle... hell, I'd probably end up with an oval shaped hole :o LMAO. :D

With the stainless mating directly up to the antler, there's zero allowance for any gap- that's why I went with the boring head. It was the best option for me and my abilities... or lack thereof, LOL. :)
 
NickWheeler said:
Now if any of you guys reading this happens to have a good way to fixture stag to do mill/machine work to the end of it, I would LOVE to hear about it (pics would be even better!).

I didn't trust simply holding this stag in the mill vise (even with neopreme pads or some such thing)... So I used a large-ish angle plate and some hold downs that I made from small channel iron and V-block shaped wood inserts. It was very solid, but also a big PITA to set-up. :foot:
Click to expand...

I do like Karl, with a piece of leather, only in my mill vice. Just don't tighten it down to hard and crack you beautiful piece of stag. Don't ask me how I know that.
:foot:

I have thought about making a set jaws out of delrin or something for holding roundish items vertical in the mill, maybe someday. Just a couple blocks with a vertical v notch should do the trick.
 
I have not used them in this operation, but good stout hose clamps have their value, too. ;)
Maybe like you did, Nick, with an angle plate and V-notch pieces, a couple hose clamps - protected with a piece of leather - might be of use.
I clamp knives to a bar, protected with leather, with hose clamps to mill out oval inlay pockets.
Just a thought.
 
I want to thank you guys for posting this stuff up. Been kinda flat around here lately. Really like seeing the advanced work.
 
NickWheeler said:
Now if any of you guys reading this happens to have a good way to fixture stag to do mill/machine work to the end of it, I would LOVE to hear about it (pics would be even better!).

I didn't trust simply holding this stag in the mill vise (even with neopreme pads or some such thing)... So I used a large-ish angle plate and some hold downs that I made from small channel iron and V-block shaped wood inserts. It was very solid, but also a big PITA to set-up. :foot:
Click to expand...

Split a 2x4 block on the bandsaw like your v block idea

put it together with hot glue gun glue

and squeeze it in a drill press vise.

You don't have much time to get it settled before it's cold, but the rough surface on stag holds well in the glue


There are different temps and strengths, get the low temp low strength
stuff.
It peels of pretty well, especially if you oil your stag
 
I guess I'll be the only one to say that I do not like the look of a partial or no pommel with stag.
To me it looks either unfinished or patched together. While I can appreciate the craftsmanship it still looks wrong to me.
To my eyes a full pommel that is shaped to match the shape of the stag contributes to the look and adds a touch of class.
 
Okay Farley- You're going on the list! :mad:

ppl list.jpg


:p ;)


I don't mind you saying it at all my friend. Different strokes and all that... :)

I used to really like the look you're talking about too, in fact I have done it on 6 or 7 knives. But most of the time anymore, I don't care for it much. Just a personal preference thing. :)

Alright, you're not really on the list. ;)
 
Thanks for the ideas on fixturing the stag guys. :)

Sam, that very thing had crossed my mind. I've also wondered about that fixturing compound that engravers use to help hold their work (it's like fancy silly putty).

Karl- that's a great idea on the hose clamps! :thumbup: Thanks! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top