The "Ask Nathan a Question" Thread

bluemax_1 said:
Sure it does. Have you seen the edges on some of Yoko's pics?

He's just the first that comes to mind. There are a few others who've posted photos of their ultra refined mirror edges. If you can do that to the 1/8" of the edge, you can do that to the rest of the knife... if you have the time.

*** Heck, the best example is dorodango. Mythbusters used the technique to literally test the phrase "polish a turd".
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Try it sometime


On a small knife
 
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Elgatodeacero said:
Has a super high mirror polish ever been offered on a FK3 or DEK or HDFK?

I was thinking a mirror polish FK3 would allow me to signal re-supply choppers and combat support aircraft on my missions when coms are down, and my signal mirror has taken shrapnel.
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So no shit, there I was, minding my own business, knee deep in bodies, ankle deep in hot brass, when I was shot down deep behind enemy lines. I thought about signaling for help with the shiny blade of my satin DEK1, but instead I pulled out my K18 and accepted the immediate and unconditional surrender of the entire enemy armed forces.
 
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Nathan the Machinist said:
View attachment 2283427

The dark crust of the micarta almost looks like a liner in this one
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…just putting this out there. I wouldn‘t bank on those handles looking like that for all that long. The crusty stuff on the outside has just had time to react (usually UV exposure, I think).

This is a razor I made a while back, using International Paper canvas micarta from the 80s:

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A couple years later, when it was sent back to be re-honed:


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Obviously, there can’t be any guarantee on where it’ll head, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the same or similar happens to Nate’s stuff.
 
Raptard said:
Is the satin grind option for the fk3 on the flats too or just the primary bevel?
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Flats, primaries, and swedge. The whole thing. It looks like a glittering jewel.

It adds a lot of cost and isn't as durable as the tumble finish. I don't recommend it on a tool knife like this, but some people love it.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
Flats, primaries, and swedge. The whole thing. It looks like a glittering jewel.

It adds a lot of cost and isn't as durable as the tumble finish. I don't recommend it on a tool knife like this, but some people love it.
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Speaking of swedges Nathan, would any durability be lost by the addition of the swedge on the signature? I generally like my blade spines flatter than a pancake butt, however I think it’ll look awesome on the BFK blade profile.
 
Regarding skeletonization on the tang, is it marginally weaker than just the full slab? If yes, by how much? CPK skeletionization seems to be quite minimal compare to most other makers (which some of those makers’ knives cracked at the stress points). Of course for a hand tool knife application, the weight saving benefit outweighs the marginally extra indestructibility. But hey we are talking about apocalypse coming any day now!
 
Jsega51 said:
Matthew Gregory Matthew Gregory you are correct, mine have already started to darken in spots just from handling it once in a while, haven’t even used the knife yet. I have no doubt they will look like that at some point.

Damn gorgeous.
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Great-looking at the start and the end, I think. Kind of goes from aged cheddar cheese to a rich chocolate brown-red.
 
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Cwilliams563 said:
Nathan the Machinist Nathan the Machinist What is the “mystery wood” for the BFK pre order? Does one just pay the extra $150 and they get what they get?

If it was say Osage, I’d be interested, but not sure about the mystery carpet tack strip lol. Not sure if this is normal lingo for a Pre order as this is the first one I’ve participated in.
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You'd probably be lucky to end up with mystery carpet tack strips, most people just get dry rotted ikea bookshelves or used popsicle sticks 😄. I think there was trailer park siding once too?
 
Cwilliams563 said:
Nathan the Machinist Nathan the Machinist What is the “mystery wood” for the BFK pre order? Does one just pay the extra $150 and they get what they get?

If it was say Osage, I’d be interested, but not sure about the mystery carpet tack strip lol. Not sure if this is normal lingo for a Pre order as this is the first one I’ve participated in.
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I never really know for sure until it's time to get started making it. It could be anything. There's an old telephone pole across the street from my house that I've been eyeing.

They say that creosote really isn't that bad in small doses as long as you wash your hands when you're done.

Our last pre-order was mostly Arizona desert ironwood.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
I never really know for sure until it's time to get started making it. It could be anything. There's an old telephone pole across the street from my house that I've been eyeing.

They say that creosote really isn't that bad in small doses as long as you wash your hands when you're done.

Our last pre-order was mostly Arizona desert ironwood.
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Sorry I guess I should have read the old pre order threads before I posted.

I see now it’s a common theme. I now know where the “popsicle sticks and old bookshelves” come from people have been referencing 😂. It all makes sense now. I’d definitely be in for old telephone pole scales though, the more splinters and cracks the better please.
 
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