- Joined
- May 2, 2004
- Messages
- 6,848
The sister of one of the sailors killed on the USS Stark, in a missile attack in the Persian Gulf back in 1987, came to me almost a year ago, asking if I would be interested in making a knife to commemorate this event. Being a man who served in the Navy, aboard ship, I told her I would be happy to do my bit.
I was given a section of the fantail from the Stark to work with. I spark tested the steel and found it to be mild steel. I figured the only way to make a knife, that worked, was to combine the mild steel with a steel of higher carbon, forge welding the two steels in the San Mai process. I choose 15n20 as the core steel, knowing it's welding qualities.
The butt cap and ferrel are made of a forged blend of the ship's steel and wrought iron.
I used copper and G-10 for the accents.
My son, Kevin, used our Bridgeport mill to produce the Stark patch, on the butt cap. The knife will be up for auction at the yearly get together that takes place in Florida at the home port of the USS Stark.
To all those who have served, my regards, Fred
I was given a section of the fantail from the Stark to work with. I spark tested the steel and found it to be mild steel. I figured the only way to make a knife, that worked, was to combine the mild steel with a steel of higher carbon, forge welding the two steels in the San Mai process. I choose 15n20 as the core steel, knowing it's welding qualities.
The butt cap and ferrel are made of a forged blend of the ship's steel and wrought iron.
I used copper and G-10 for the accents.
My son, Kevin, used our Bridgeport mill to produce the Stark patch, on the butt cap. The knife will be up for auction at the yearly get together that takes place in Florida at the home port of the USS Stark.
To all those who have served, my regards, Fred
