Well, Whatcha Think??

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
<img src=http://members.aol.com/l6steel/ebay/bowie.jpg>
The hand rubbed satin finished flat ground blade is 10 1/2" of 440c stainless and was heat treated and cryo quenched by Rob Simonich to Rockwell 59.The knife is just a tad shy of 16 1/2" overall. I used three pieces of 1/8" brass to make the stacked guard. As you can see, I carved the middle piece. The guard is silver soldered onto the blade. The handle is crown moose antler from Pennsylvania and has been buffed to a nice shine. The butt of the handle has about 1 1/2" of good clean space for scrimshaw or inlay. The carving on the back of the blade matches that on the guard. Any comments, positive or negative, but constructive, will be greatly appreciated. Take care!! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"



[This message has been edited by L6STEEL (edited 19 December 1999).]
 
That sure is a nice looking knife, Michael. I'm afraid that I'm not experienced enough to offer any constructive criticism; it looks awfully good from where I'm sitting!



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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23


 
Michael, Awesome looking knife, you should be very proud of yourself. The only comment I could offer is, Focus the darn Camera, Please!
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Thanks for the kind words Forumites!! The camera is digital, and it is supposed to be an auto focus. Guess the light was hittin it weird. I wish someone would do a thread on taking knife pix.
Bill, just let it happen! Don't be overly critical of your work, especially the first 20 or 30 knives you do, kit or otherwise. You'll get the nack of it and learn some of the tricks that make the differences.
Take care!! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"

 
Very nice Michael! Looks like a REALLY knice knife to me. Don't mind Phil's comments about the focus, he thinks he is a great photographer, but I heard he used to take interesting photos of little girls wearing lingerie. Besides, we all have a little trouble focusing from time to time.

Paracelsus
 
Very nice knife ,I commend you ,the picture thing takes time though I have the same problem sometimes it help's to go outside an practice different shot's

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tbark
 
Very, very nice knife. Especially the crown stag is beautiful. I like bowies alot.

What is it? 440c? Huh? No L6???!!!
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Have a nice christmas!

Achim
 
Michael,
I love the knife you made, from the photo you showed I would buy one if I could afford it. The photo was fine, it just wasn't in focus, that's all. If you have the talent, skill and patience to make the knife, I know you have the ability to take a sharp picture, it would just showcase your work that much better.

I never said I was a Great Photographer, I was a very good photographer. I was the Head Fashion Photographer for a major NYC Dept Store, at 27, and I've taught Photography at F.I.T. I've been out of the business for a long time, and I don't own a Digital camera at this time. If I did, I would take the time to learn how to use it properly, and number one would be How to Focus. Your work deserves it, do it for yourself, not for me.
 
I'm using stainless steels now because alot of my customers are wanting it.It does seem that most people, especially those who buy fancy knives for display, want to do as little care and maintenance as possible, so stainless it is!!

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"

 
L6, You Just LOST ME as a potential customer. I like you. I like your work. But NOT everyone wants STAIN**** steel. Trust me.

Paracelsus

After sleeping on that one, I think I should say that you NOT lost me as a potential customer. We'll just have to work something out in L6, L6
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I saw the saw in that photo of you and the saw. Looks like there is lots more L6 remaining L6. I'm getting dizzy. Later.

[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 21 December 1999).]
 
That's a really nice bowie!
I wish the guard came out better in the photo, I cannot see the details of it.
May I ask a technical question? It's about the guard, how did you join the 3 layers of it - by epoxy, or soldering, or pins? Or you just soldered all 3 to the blade?

Alex.
 
l-6 made it for himself, by the way great blade, but why critise him for blade steel choice if he made it for himself. i happen to know, from experience, that 440C heat treated by rob simonich can hold a keen edge, and can withstand alot of abuse. just recently i cut inhalf a 1" wide peice of oak. 2 swings, no damage to the edge, no rolling, chipping, flattening, ect. i don't know what you guys have against stainless, ats-34, 440c, and 440v, are my favorite steels, they hold an excellent edge for a long time, and require very little maintence, they even take a better finish then the rest.
 
L6 and Magnum,

I was not criticising Your choice to make that blade from 440C. I guess I was reacting to the most customers want 440C knives to hang the knife on the wall comment. I personally prefer tool steels and like to use my knives. I don't find maintenance of plain tool steels is very difficult. I do get frustrated by makers who say 'that's what the customer wants' because that is Not always true. I appreciate your statement, Magnum, that properly heat treated 440C stainless can make a fine using knife. I am sure that is true. But I associate that material with some production knives that were not properly made, that are hard to sharpen and do not take a really sharp and durable edge. So I prefer plain carbon steels. Just My preference and thoughts. I love the knife, L6. Everytime you post a new one, I notice that your work keeps getting better and better. Congratulations! Keep it up! I'd be proud to own something made by you someday.

Paracelsus

[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 21 December 1999).]
 
Paracelsus,
Since you are into tool steels & forged blade s come over to the KnifeForum at knifeart.com and visit - we have a forum on ABS Forged Blades which I am co-moderating with Jerry Fisk & Ron Lamey and an Alternative To Steel forum moderated by Rob Simonich - it is just getting started but we have some interesting threads & some great people/makers lending their knowledge & expertise. Actually the invitation is open to everybody - come over & check us out.

Bill Wentling
Moderator - ABS Forged Blades
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"I'm using stainless steels now because alot of my customers are wanting it." This is what I said. No mention of 440c specifically.Thats why a customer gets together with a maker and settles on the particulars ahead of time. Everyone has different tastes and ideas on what makes a great kniufe. If I ever figure out what knife, short a free one, will appeal to all collectors. I'll let you know.

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"

 
Alex, after the center piece is carved I pin the three pices together.Be sure to conutersink the pin holes some and leave plenty of pin sticking out so it will fill in the countersink. Of course, if you leave too much pin, it will bend instead of peening, so you need to watch that too. Then I silver solder the assembled guard onto the blade.Heres a better picture of the guard.
<img src=http://members.aol.com/l6steel/ebay/bowie2.jpg>



[This message has been edited by L6STEEL (edited 25 December 1999).]
 
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