Took a crack at W2

[Bailey Knives]

I finally got some W2 into knife proportions. It took quite a bit of work as I dont have a power hammer or press. I did this with a friend and a 12 pound sledge.

Anyways I wanted to use W2, mostly because I saw the hamons that Don Hanson was able to pull out of it. I really like the hamon I got, but it pales in comparison to Don's. Give me 20 years, and maybe I will have it.

What do you think so far?
I still have to put a handle on it and a sheath. I was thinking a black bolster, some ironwood burl, and a sheath with rayskin inlay.

 

[heavy_-j]

looks really nice......love the hamon and grind you have going there!

 

[Mike Quesenberry]

I just did my first w-2 blade recently and the hamon is nothing compared to yours. Yours is outstanding!! Well done.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Dang Matt, that looks really good. Love that hamon! Your 20 years are up

 

[Bailey Knives]

Well, maybe 10 more years. but thanks for the compliment. Hope you dont mind me using a pic from your site.

 

[69_knives]

Looks fabulous! Nice work.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Well, maybe 10 more years. but thanks for the compliment. Hope you dont mind me using a pic from your site.

No, that's OK. Not all blades need to be that crazy. With that blade, I was
trying to see just how much activity I could get out of this W2. I rest my case

 

[panch0]

Another beauty!

 

[Kalimalena]

That's a beauty Matt!

 

[Mossyhorn]

I really like this knife. A superb job.

 

[jamiemackie]

Very nice. That hamon is pretty impressive.

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

As Don would say Practice, practice, practice.

 

[JasonSCarter]

I still have to put a handle on it and a sheath. I was thinking a black bolster, some ironwood burl, and a sheath with rayskin inlay.

Awesome Hamon BTW, I vote Switch it up! Ironwood bolsters and micarta handle...

 

[Allen Newberry]

I like it.

 

[jim moyer]

Nice art knife in progress Bailey

 

[Nebulae]

why does w2 almost allways have sweet hamons

 

[David Loukides]

Looks Great!!!

 

[Shawn fu]

Very nice-Great activity in the hamon!

 

[Burton Harruff]

Looks like it came out real nice. I have a couple I have forged from Don's W2 just have yet to HT. Hopefully I will have good results also.

 

[Bailey Knives]

why does w2 almost allways have sweet hamons

I think it has something to do with the vanadium. I believe the only difference between w1 and w2 is the vanadium (someone please correct me if I am wrong) and it must be the vanadium that makes the difference.

Thanks for all the comments everyone. It has provided me with extra motivation to get this one done. I have been dying to use some of my stingray leather anyways.

Maybe I will make this a WIP piece, even though I missed the first (and most difficult) steps. That sledge got real heavy, really quickly.