Started a new knife today

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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Well, I have finished all the sketches and planning, and started the new high art knife today. It will be ,by far, the most elaborate knife I have made to date. I have some details to work out after the parts are made, but the overall idea is developed.

I did the preliminary blade work, and set up part of the guard. I'll work on the collar,pommel, and handle over the next several weeks. When the time is right I will post some sneak preview photos, but for the time being, all I'll say is that it is a dagger.

There will be extensive finishing time involved once the parts are all made, so it may be a while, but posting this will make me stay on it.

Stacy
 
Stacy
This is not fair. You titillate us with descriptive words, advising us this is your most involved and intricate piece to date and then; leave us to wonder, what it is you are working on.
You must post, at least a cursory look at what is to be. Otherwise our imaginations will run a muck.

What materials are you using?

:D Fred
 
OK, fair is fair. I figured you whinny folks would get all upset when I posted that.

The piece is to be a bodice dagger, made almost entirely in gold. It is to be made in many separate pieces, with engraving and only three gemstones. I am still deciding on the handle. It may be wrapped in twisted gold wire, or narwhal ivory with scrimshaw.I started with the wire idea, but the more I see the scrim handle in my mind, the more I like it.
OAL will be between 6 and 6.5". Later, I may post the sketches to show how I develop an idea, but for now this will have to do.

Stacy
 
bladsmth said:
OK, fair is fair. I figured you whinny folks would get all upset when I posted that.

The piece is to be a bodice dagger, made almost entirely in gold. It is to be made in many separate pieces, with engraving and only three gemstones. I am still deciding on the handle. It may be wrapped in twisted gold wire, or narwhal ivory with scrimshaw.I started with the wire idea, but the more I see the scrim handle in my mind, the more I like it.
OAL will be between 6 and 6.5". Later, I may post the sketches to show how I develop an idea, but for now this will have to do.

Stacy
Click to expand...

Make sure you put this one in a safe place. I can remember you speaking about one other that disappeared. Hope to see this masterpiece.

Terry
 
I've been meaning to ask you for some time, if the other one ever showed back up. This seems as good a time as any. Did it?

EDIT: Oh, oh...this is Phil Dwyer posting (Farmer Phil). I'm visiting Indian George and using his computer.
 
Phil/George,
No it never showed up. I have deemed it gone , and moved on.

Phil, I have a batch of stuff for you. I will get with you about shipping soon.
Stacy
 
Stacy, it sounds like a real work of jewely art. Cant wait to see the progress. Do you engrave also? How much weight in gold? Did you buy the gold when it was cheaper?
 
It will be a classic "Macbeth" style piece. Something a royal, or wealthy, woman would have.

Yes, I engrave, although I don't do as much as I would like to keep my engraving hand good. I may get someone to do the engraving ( Ken?), or do it as a sole authorship piece- haven't decided yet. What are your thoughts?

The blade will weigh about two ounces, and the other fittings about the same. The handle will have about half and ounce if I go with gold twist. I am really considering the narwhal, but will wait until the pieces are made to decide which looks best. I will probably build both, and use the extra for another fancy dagger.

I accumulate gold from scrap and cut-offs, and send it to the refiner periodically. I am having the next batch sent back as fine gold shot, to alloy my own casting grain. Over the years I have bought a new Van, gone to Hawaii, and paid for my smithy with the checks, so this time it will be in a knife.
When I bought the van, I took the block of gold with me. It was $12,500 in bullion value. After making the deal, They started to talk about financing. I said I was going to pay for it in gold. They looked at me strange, and I took the ingot from my briefcase. I told them that when the vehicle was ready to pick up I would either give them the gold, or a check. They opted for the check. I sent the gold to the refiner, and had a check in three days. I had the check made out to the dealership. I only ended up spending about $500 from my own pocket.

I am thinking of doing the blade in a hard green gold ( sort of a pale greenish yellow), which I can harden to a degree with special tempering cycles ( yes, you can harden gold by tempering). The other fittings will be in red gold, or yellow gold. I'll wait until I get the blade done to decide which.

As of right now, I am planning on Sapphires for the quillion ends and the pommel. I will facet the stones myself. I have some really nice black opal I am considering,too.

Stacy
 
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It sounds like the Piece of the Century. I also like ladies knives. I'm making a small bowie that wouldnt fit most mens hand and want some lady-like engraving on it and the sheath throat and tip.

If you engrave at all I would think you could use your jewelers skills to a high degree which leaves very small areas to engrave. I cant see yours with wide open areas so the engraving will be minimal. If You do have it done Ken Hurst may be the man. He has engraved practically as long as I've been alive.
 
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