Sterling Silver Balsong

ghen

ghen

Joined
Dec 6, 2001
Messages
338
Alright Gentlemen here goes.

I am thinking of a new project...a solid silver balisong. I have a few thoughts but would be interested in feedback and planning advice while I shop for someone to execute it (Mer...are you listening?).


Is there anyone who thinks won't work? If so,please let me know why.

Thanx & Merry Christmas

GHEN
 
.....how it's executed, meaning what's going to be silver? Silver is very heavy, very soft, and very expensive, compared to assorted other handle materials readily available. The blade, pivot, and tang pins will need to be made from something other than silver, unless it's going to be a fruit knife or something on that order. The handles won't take much of a beating, that is if you're even going to use such a knife.

There is such a knife pictured in the Warner/Voyles knife digest made by Paul Jarvis. He uses lost-wax silver castings on the handles which are also set with garnets. The knife is in the 5 figure range......

Good luck on your project and be sure to get us some pictures when you have it finished.
 
Yes, silver is a bit soft. Dawking is correct that only fruit knives are generally found with silver blades.

My thoughts are:

silver handles and latch only.

steel inserts in the handles to hold the pins.

I don't care much about the weight, since Iron's Atomic weight is almost twice that of Silver, I'm thinking Silver stacks up nicely to steel (weightwise).

I will either use a BM blade, or get a custom maker to make a blade.

Any more thoughts or ideas? Keep em coming, please!
 
<center>Gold is for the mistress-- Silver for the maid--
Copper for the craftsman, cunning at his trade.
'Good!' said the Baron, sitting in his hall,
'But Iron --Cold Iron-- is ruler of them all'.
Quote from Rudyard Kipling

:D
G2</center>
 
You've got several options, as Sterling Silver is a common handle material (look into Tiffany's or any of the old English Silver Hallmarks). If you want to keep it pure sterling, I suggest you use it only as an inlaid with matching nickle silver bolsters, on top of a stainless steel layer. That way when you inevitably take the polish cloth to it, at least it'll shine up nicely. And the nickle silver will protect the sterling silver from the typical impact damage of flipping balis. This will also ensure all connection points are not directly attached to the soft silver metal, as all stress points will be connected to the steel underbody.

However, if you want to use the silver for entire handle (as in non-inlaid), I'll go with a silver alloy. Not sure what the correct metallurgical terms is for alloyed silver (much like 10K gold) but they will allow for a stronger base material than pure silver metal for bali handles. This way you'll get a bali with the high polish sheen of silver, but the stronger characteristics of an alloy. I'm a little weary about using pure nickle-silver as a handle material, as it is a little soft (harder than sterling silver, but still soft nontheless), and can get expensive in the bar sizes required for a channel milled bali handle (if you can find any), but are readily available in sizes for a sandwich construction bali. There are, however, several different flavors of nickle-silver, and you might be able to find one that statisfies your needs.

Good luck, and keep us posted with your progress.
 
Yeah I'd certainly share Tony's concerns at all the normal stress points for actual Sterling Silver handles in a milled format.

Interesting idea though Ghen.., and I do think going with an existing blade like one of the new BM profiles would be a good take-off point before getting a hand ground blade done <just to save some money initially>. Keep us informed :).., and good luck!



"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
:cool:

I have found a source for .5" X .5" sterling silver bar stock.

This is a good starting size for the handles. I think I have a source for the grommets too.

Some research indicates I may be able to harden (heat treat) silver, perhaps a blade of silver isn't out of the question.

Keep the tips coming. I will certainly post pics if this happens.

GHEN
 
Maybe one like this:

morton1S.JPG
 
Originally posted by Dawkind

There is such a knife pictured in the Warner/Voyles knife digest made by Paul Jarvis. He uses lost-wax silver castings on the handles which are also set with garnets. The knife is in the 5 figure range......
Click to expand...

I've actually seen some of Paul Jarvis' bali's. three of them actually: two normal size, one smaller. All of them were ever so beautiful, pretty much entirely damascus if I recall with Jewels placed all about. They were about $5000 each. super-cool stuff
 
Originally posted by Darth Detori
They were about $5000 each. super-cool stuff
Click to expand...
Yeah, but asked him how they'll hold up if you decide to flip them. If he ever recovers from the heart attack induced by that question, he'll probably just give you a funny smirk and politely ask that you don't pick them up. Ask me how I know this.
 
Originally posted by ghen
I have found a source for .5" X .5" sterling silver bar stock.
Some research indicates I may be able to harden (heat treat) silver, perhaps a blade of silver isn't out of the question. GHEN
Click to expand...
Ghen: Is this to be a user or a display piece? Because here's something to consider, without needing to heat treat the silver or buy the .5"x.5" bar stock. Take a BM 4x Ti series bali apart, and have cast made of the handles (the lost wax process would work great). If you don't want the holes, just plug them up before you cast them. Using the cast, you should be able to pour-cast your silver into something that'll fit the blade. Depending on it it's a user, here's the perfect opportunity to alloy the silver. If not, just pour in pure silver, and apply whatever tempering process you like to soften or harden the silver. Same process can be done for the latch.
 
Great idea TonyCCW. I can probably get a jeweler in the area to hook me up.

If this happens, I'll probably carry it sporadically, and manipulate for manipulation's sake never.



or


I have someone who MIGHT be able to mill out what I need from the .5" stock.

GOLLNICK!!! Are you ever surprised? Thanx for the picture, mine (if it happens) will be prettier ;)
 
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