Trackrock Hammer-in Spring 2016

Let me see if I can remember the details I pointed out to you on TR Friday ... :p

Hand Forged Damacus
The curly at the choil
Bone guard, burl wood to micarta with a pinstripe to bone handle
Hidden tang pinned with a mosaic
Silver inlay on handle butt
file work on spine
The sheath w/frog and fine detail tooling

what am I missing?
 
Don't think you're missing anything, but I remember being so impressed with that curly at the choil, that incredible Damascus, and the silver inlay.
 
Actually you're pretty close Bud.

Hand Forged Damacus.............Correct, 512 layers if I remember right - not doing much pattern welded these days, takes me too long
The curly at the choil.........Actually most makers call it a "Spanish Notch" (misnomer in itself), it makes for a clean break between the sharpened edge and the guard
Bone guard, burl wood to micarta with a pinstripe to bone handle
.......Stag guard, black locust stump wood (my all time favorite), vulcanized fiber spacers (3) -micarta's a bit too "plastic" for most of my knives.
Hidden tang pinned with a mosaic.........Almost correct, there is a hidden threaded jamb nut under the pewter that mechanically locks the tang in place, the mosaic pin is more for bling (got to make up some more of that stuff).
Silver inlay on handle butt..........Cast in place pewter from an old beer mug (po' man's silver)
file work on spine........Correct
The sheath w/frog and fine detail tooling........Yes, but still learning leather just like I am on smithin' steel

Note:
Actually the stag guard is much tougher than most bone by nature of the way it grows/develops. Most bones can't take the whacking antlers do and survive the rutting season. I enjoy doing "different" from the norm. Makes for a much lighter knife and is plenty tough. If it's hard to believe, take a 1/4" x 2" x 2" piece of antler and break it with bare hands or try to cut through it with a pocket knife. Biggest plus is it can do it's job as a guard and look cool doing it at the same time.

Thanks for the many kind words and compliments (toe in dirt here).

Come see me at the Blade in June - Table 5-J

ps - 'bout got the stand finished
 
And don't forget the "cherry", I mean swedge on top! Carl, I have to tell you, of the hundreds of knives I've owned this not only the first knife, but first piece of ART my wife has agreed to let me display in the house. Looking forward to getting the stand because the knife and sheath are going on the middle of the mantle above the fireplace.
 
Looking forward to getting the stand because the knife and sheath are going on the middle of the mantle above the fireplace.

Get one of them matching-fancy stands Carl makes! That will set it off on a display.
 
Well that's quite an honor, thanks. You do know that the knife was made to be used, not just sit around and look purty. Life's too short to carry an ugly knife!
Hope to get it headed your way by this weekend. Forged most of the day yesterday, then cleaned shop up - got students all day today doing leather work. Plan to finish it up in the am.
 
I love that quote. No idea who said it, but its great. "Life is too short to carry an ugly knife."
 
Well that's quite an honor, thanks. You do know that the knife was made to be used, not just sit around and look purty. Life's too short to carry an ugly knife!
Hope to get it headed your way by this weekend. Forged most of the day yesterday, then cleaned shop up - got students all day today doing leather work. Plan to finish it up in the am.

Don't you worry Carl, It's time on the mantle will be mixed in with time in the woods and chores around the house. Hope to have a patina going by Blade. I try my best to live with the philosophy of use it or move it.
 
I've heard that phrase almost since I started making knives Andy. Got no idea where I heard it, maybe at the very first knife show I went to in the mid 60's.
 
Update Post Trackrock
After covering expenses and tipping the caterer, I was able to donate $700.00 to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on behalf of the Hammer-in.
Thanks folks for all the support.
 
Update Post Trackrock
After covering expenses and tipping the caterer, I was able to donate $700.00 to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on behalf of the Hammer-in.
Thanks folks for all the support.

Fantastic!
 
Update Post Trackrock
After covering expenses and tipping the caterer, I was able to donate $700.00 to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on behalf of the Hammer-in.
Thanks folks for all the support.

What a wonderful way to top off a great event like Trackrock! Great job again Carl!!!
 
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