Two for OKCA Show.....

Raymond Richard · Apr 9, 2004

Here's two that I just got finished up that are going to Eugene with me next weekend. Both blades are shear steel. The top knife has a 6" blade, wrought iron fittings and a dyed axis stag crown. Overall its around 11". The bottom knife has a 3 5/8" blade with wrought iron fittings and elk stag for the handle. Its a total of 8". Sheaths are in the plans for 8 or 9 knives next week. Hope to get a bowie finished up today....

Bruce Bump · Apr 9, 2004

Im finally going to see this steel up close. Arent you almost out of that shear steel? I hope so you are making us look bad.

Raymond Richard · Apr 9, 2004

Bruce, I plan on stretching it out as much as possible. Knives can get much smaller than what they are now also. Looking forward to seeing you again, I still got one banquet ticket left if your interested......

J. Neilson · Apr 9, 2004

Those things always look cool Ray. Thanks for sharing.

Bruce Bump · Apr 9, 2004

I bet you would make minitures so you could stretch that steel for years!

That banquet ticket is for last year Ray.

This year they are having a social (happy hour) See Ya there buddy

Raymond Richard · Apr 10, 2004

Bruce, I can do the small blades without much of a problem but the fittings would be a different story. Now if I could just grow some smaller fingers that would be the ticket although with as many times they have met the grinder and have been burnt there still pretty big. I still got them all.

I was planning on using the ticket I had left over that you had given me for this years banquet.

L6steel · Apr 10, 2004

Those are beautiful Raymond!
The curve of the blades flow into the curve of the handles perfectly, outstanding!
I really like the way you finish off the butt ends of the handles with the rings through the knobs. Are the knobs the ends of the tangs?
Mind sharing your secret for dying that antler, that is gorgeous!

Raymond Richard · Apr 10, 2004

Michael, the nob is a nut. On these two knives both nuts are made from wrought iron and are made individually for each knife using my grinder to ruff them in and then finishing them off with a drill press. As for the dye job I can tell you what I use and the order I apply it but its more a matter of what works for you. I first coat the piece of stag with potasium perm. then I use black leather dye on the butt, in the middle chocolate dye and then try to blend it together. Durring the process I'll add more of one than the other. The pp will for the biggest part cancel out the other two if put on afterwards but at times thats a good thing. Like anything else it takes some messing with but the results are pretty outstanding if done right. My fingers match my knives....