Today's Musings - Leuku

[redsquid2]

The blade would be black scale all the way down to the bevel.

For the handle, I am thinking either black canvas micarta or padauk. I am open to suggestions.

 

[NStricker]

Kind of like the one on the left? This one has cherry scales--not quite as red as paduak, but this will give you an idea of what it might end up like.

 

[redsquid2]

Kind of like the one on the left? This one has cherry scales--not quite as red as paduak, but this will give you an idea of what it might end up like.

Wow, Stricker. Beautiful finishes. Looking at those, I like the dark stripes in the one on the right. I think something like that would compliment my blade very well. I love the cherry, but It doesn't look dark enough. I am guessing the striped one is maple, with acid etching stain?

 

[amcardon]

Since it's a leuku, shouldn't you be using birch for the handle? Mark has some awesome stabilized birch scales... Other than that, I think maybe not dropping the handle so much? Maybe you had a specific reason for it, I don't know, I just think it would look more "fluid" without the drop. Or maybe I'm just seeing things since it's past my bedtime, I dunno. Either way, make it how you want it and get some good use out of it!

 

[redsquid2]

The drop is awkward. You're not hallucinating.

As far as birch, well, I like to play with variations on tradition, to spice things up.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[redsquid2]

OK. I'll stop calling it a Leuku.

Speaking of what I want to use it for: I'd like to take it into the woods and clear out some of the dead fall that is obstructing some trails. The trails are remote enough, you can't bring a chain saw in there, unless you have a horse or mule, which I don't. Axes are kinda heavy. At least I could clear out some of it with a knife like this.

The design below gives me more options. I can create a more interesting combination of color and texture. Stag horn on the ends, maybe something black in the middle. I could just make the handle all micarta, using different colors .

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

I like your second handle much more. As far as padauk goes, I love it on my Koyote Leuko, and prefer the more solid handle color myself but that is just a preference and there are always exceptions.