What have I been up to? Well, I'll tell you anway.

Mark, I did orient it that way on purpose after checking the grain on all the block faces. Didn't know about the flash of color though! Actually, I'm seeing that in the handle now... speaking of which, here's another update.

I worked on the dagger most of the morning, but around 3 or so I wandered over and picked up the kukwie project. The epoxy felt good and set.

First order of business was to rough the sides clean on the grinder to have a look. Here's the result:

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You can see a bit of glue line near the end of the tang on one side mainly. Since the epoxy is black, the glue will disappear later- I'm not sweating it. This being my first keyhole handle, I'll be fitting subsequent models tighter.

Second order of business involved drilling the pin hole through the handle block, and upsizing it to 3/16". I put a stainless pin through, and hammered it tight on both sides as I would pins for a bolster. The idea was to swell the pin in the tang metal, and thus to be able to grind it flush. I didn't want a domed pin creating a nub in that part of the handle.

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I ground the top and bottom surfaces flat. Not a perfect color match with the pin, but good. I like it.

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And then I got carried away and completely shaped the handle and bolster, and sanded up to 220 grit before taking more pics!

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The glue line completely disappeared, and the fit looks eerily perfect now. I'm actually very happy with how it's going. I slapped a coat of teak oil on it before setting it aside. I'll be putting several coats on as I sand it finished.

At this point I'll concentrate on the hamon polish until that's done, then finish the handle up. Stay tuned for more!
 
Thanks guys! Again, Greg, I am really enjoying this blackwood and I really appreciate it. I'm getting excited about doing some other types of integrals with it now!
 
This is beautiful. Makes the dinky first knife of mine look super sad thats for sure. Handles a really cool idea. Love it all.
 
Keyhole handles ARE a cool idea. The first time I saw a Rodrigo Sfreddo knife with one, I was floored. I don't know if everyone should try these, I don't even know if I should make many of these, as Rodrigo and a few others kind of own them, but I had to try... and will probably try some of the more advanced shapes too. Andy, you should look for pix of Sfreddo knives on the net, if you're not familiar with his work. Some of them will make you outright exclaim in awe if you're anything like me.
 
Salem Straub said:
Thanks guys! Again, Greg, I am really enjoying this blackwood and I really appreciate it. I'm getting excited about doing some other types of integrals with it now!
Click to expand...

I'm just glad to see it being used in such an expert way. It was worth it to me just to learn the potential of the wood I have. And yeah, it is fun to work the dense stuff.
 
Argh. 3 hours of hand sanding into this big-ass blade. Now to do the other side! I sanded the handle up to 400 and oiled it again.

The hamon is teasing me along, with the wispy stuff becoming more clear with every grit step.
 
Just finished up the hamon polish, 1000 grit base, then two ferric chloride etches and scrubs, followed by hand sanding lightly at 1500 grit. Then heated lemon juice with dish soap etching cycles, oxide removal with 1500 silicon carbide grit in oil. First time I've used this combination of methods, and I love it. The darn lemon juice made me hungry for lemon meringue pie the whole time, though.

I think it turned out pretty good. Some white smoky stuff and wierd activity. The clip has a cool line, too. I cut myself on it a little while polishing!

Tomorrow it's trademark etching and handle sanding, and more handle oil. Then it'll be done. The thing is a beastly blade for sure.

ETA: Sorry, forgot to add some quick hamon shots.

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Aargh! I just finished the knife, went to take pics, and discovered the camera had gone to town with my wife! No finish pics today then, since this knife has to be shot outside in daylight. My lightbox is too small for it. I doubt I'll be able to take a pic of it I consider satisfactory- lots of different angles, especially with the hamon to try to capture. I really would like to send this one to Coop on its way to wherever, don't know if I can afford it right now though. We'll see.

Pics tomorrow, I promise.

In other news, the dagger is up to 600 grit now and fittings are being worked on. A mild steel basket-weld handle has been made for it, should be interesting.
Also I went and looked at a vertical mill for sale in town the other day, a gorgeous machine- Index model 645 9"x48" from the 60's with power feed all directions plus power quill, and an oiling system. 3 phase motor so it'll slap right into my VFD system. He wants $1200 for it- I said I would DEFINITELY take it and he's holding it for me! Think Bridgeport but actually a heavier, arguably better machine. American iron! Wow, I'm obsessing over it. That, and all the hydraulics have been shipped now to me for my press. Exciting times in the shop here.

BTW, thank you Mr. Shahan. That means a lot from you. (Not that it means less from anyone else necessarily.):foot:
 
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