The dagger I've started

Hey Daniel, good to see you again.

Today I had to relearn a lesson the hard way... when you start getting tired, step away from the grinder. I was in the process of straightening and aligning the spine when my muscles started giving out. I didn't notice the signs (unable to hold my hands straight out without shaking), so I ended up putting some nicks in the spine. Good thing I'd switched to the 320 grit belt so they weren't all that deep... but the problem was I didn't step away, so the mistakes kept coming. I finally figured it out, and it's still salvageable. But wow... very frustrating.

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Now that the blade is about to get into HT, I'm thinking harder about the handle. One thought I can't seem to shake from my head is using a piece of fossil ivory I bought and an antique show in Portland, OR.

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The piece just seems to fit PERFECTLY in my hand, and as you can see from the pictures is is colorful through and through, so even if I decide to remove some material it won't end up with white spots on a colorful background.

It does have a few potential issues, though. When I cut off about an inch a couple of years ago, the piece seemed more brittle than I am accustomed to ivory being.

Also, the fatter end of the tusk has some cracks in in that I believe will compromise that part of the tusk. The red line in the first picture shows where I intend to cut the piece to remove what appears to be the cracked portion.

Still, I'm dubious about using this piece at all. It is, after all, a pretty fabulous piece of ivory just as it sits, and I'm concerned I'll end up ruining it and it would end up in my scrap material pile, which would be a total waste. Chiefly, my concern is I never have been very skilled at drilling straight holes in pieces that are irregularly shaped.

Any suggestions/tips?
 
How about using a jig like this to drill through rounded material.

I'm not sure about that piece for a dagger though. With the curvature in the handle I would think that would be really nice on a drop point or a bowie. just my opinion.
 
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Paid a visit to Stan Buzek today. First time I ever stopped at a real knifemaker's shop. He's a very cool guy with a nice shop. Made me wish I could build my own instead of using a garage.

He heat treated the blade for me, which apart from setting up the blade for the next phase of the build also showed me what I already knew... that I need to even out the grind just a bit. Hard to tell how well you are doing with a billet like this until something makes the damascus pattern visible.

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Thanks, Stan. I look forward to our next visit!
 
You're welcome. Glad I could help..you're welcome anytime..

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
 
Coming along well Greg.What I will do when trying to figure where to move a pattern is to give the Damascus a light painting with mixed ferric chloride and water. You definitely have that Calcinore billet there but already near being a blade.
Most often if the ivory is cracked rather than destroy it do some recovery with the CA glues. First the thin and then the thick. It will do a great job and as well will finish without being seen. Fill the cracks by going over several times if necessary. It can be an amazing aid to saving ivory.
Frank
 
Some years ago, when I was making the KITH dagger I gave away, I set aside a piece of walrus ivory that I was holding for a special project. Today I decided that this dagger was that special project.

The ivory in question is all from the central "tapioca" core of the big hunk of ivory I used for so many projects. It was just the right size for this project, so I drilled out the center hole for the tang and crudely shaped it to meet the needs of the dagger. I had to do this now so I could figure out the dimensions of the guard it will attach to.

Anyway, here's where it ended up so far.

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I was out for two years as well. Welcome to Texas sir! Maybe I'll see ya at a hammer in one day. Looking forward to seeing this knife completed.
 
Hey Panch0, good to see you again too. Hope you're getting back into the swing as well.

Today I got the main pieces fitted together nicely. Also, I did as Frank suggested and applied some Ferric to reveal the pattern. I was pleased to see a special detail in the pattern I didn't expect. You can't see it now (since I sanded away most of the ferric etching), but you'll see it later.

Next step is to shape the guard. Since I have tomorrow off, I think I'll start on that tomorrow.

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Today I spend a lot of time putting a real edge on the blade. I know that is a bit superfluous with a dagger, but it was important to me just the same. Went up to 8000 grit on the stones, then pulled it back to 2000 grit with hand sanding just to get an even texture.

After that it went into the tank of Ferric, and this is what came out.

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I obviously never did get the grind quite right in terms of perfectly centering the damascus. I spent a lot of time trying, and eventually just noticed that it wasn't getting any better.

That said, I think I know what I was doing wrong... it was the way I came out of the grind as it approached the tip... I think I was angling the blade wrong on the exit of the grind passes. Anyway, live and learn.

- Greg
 
That is an IMPRESSIVE Damascus pattern - very bold! Interesting the way you have the pattern only in center portion of blade - You did really good. Looking forward to seeing the ivory when it's finished on the dagger. I LOVE daggers {g}

BTW, the thread from 2014 where you were making the kitchen knife for your wife has all the photo links broken - I was wanting to see those also "IF" you might still have them around somewhere: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1141618-Another-kitchen-knife-in-damascus

Good job
 
Hi Ken. That kitchen knife didn't turn out as well as I would have liked. It was my first time using Corby bolts and I obviously did something wrong. That and it was too heavy, so my wife never took a shine to it.

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A few months after finished that one, I made her a paring knife from stainless ann she loved it. We still use it.
 
Interesting design - and I see what you mean with the corby screws. I once did the same thing by grinding too far into the wood. I do like that Damascus you've got there. Thank you for taking the time to dig up an old photo.

Ken H>
 
The last week or so I've been working on a pierced/carved guard for the dagger. I'm excited about this, but also keenly aware of my limitations. I'll post pics when it's a little farther along.
 
Yes, this is coming along very well. You are not far off center. Painting the bar to help position your outline can help lots. I think this will be a "nice" one !!!
Frank
 
The guard is still nowhere near complete, but it's time I showed some progress. It's intended to be based on an "organic" form, such as a climbing vine that twists on itself. Once I'm done carving and sanding it I'll bend the quillions into a tulip form.

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