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

[Phil Dwyer]

:thumbup: Cool news bout the shop equip!

 

[Burl Source]

Great project Salem.
More photos........please!

 

[Salem Straub]

You asked for it, Mark!

Quick specs:
18” overall. 13” tip to bolster front. 13.5 oz. weight. Handle ½” thick. Blade 1-5/8” wide at heel and widest point of swell. Blade thickness is .204 at thickest point where the grinds meet, and .180 at the ricasso/bolster junction. The clip is 10-1/4” long and is sharp for 7-1/2” of that length.

I found this knife very difficult to photograph- the best lighting was outdoors but I still had to take a bunch of shots to try to capture as many aspects from different angles as I could.
This blade has got some well defined utsuri, of a gunome-type shape. I took the pics at the end just to pick that out better.
The only thing that bugs me about it is that my etched mark could have come out cleaner. It's not that bad, but it's uneven. (Sigghhh.)
The hamon came out dynamite, at least for me... pics just can't fully capture the frostiness!

 

[David Stifle]

Not to knock your pics, Salem, but that's just gotta go to Coop for some glam shots! Well done, man, just very well done!

 

[tryppyr]

Just gorgeous.

 

[Salem Straub]

Thanks David. I know about the pics. It was a frustrating photo shoot. I'd send it to Coop in a heartbeat, it would be a good investment and totally worth it, but I have other upcoming investments that are warring with it.

Glad you like it Greg. You were a part of making it happen.

 

[Andy Johnston]

Beautiful! All I can say is its beautiful and I'm jealous.

 

[Burl Source]

Beautiful!
Thank You for all the photos.

 

[tryppyr]

Now... back to work on that dagger.

 

[tinkerer]

Drool, gasp, cough, want. In absolute awe of your talent.

Larry
Tinkerer

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

That is so ridiculously sweet.

 

[synthesist]

I've waited with bated breath to see how this would turn out.

I'm stunned by your work.

I can't tell you how much I, personally, appreciate your sharing your journeys.

Corey "synthesist" Gimbel

 

[Salem Straub]

Thanks guys, really. It's sure not perfect but I will be sadder to see it go than any other in recent memory. It was a little exhausting truthfully, the dagger is a fancy idea too but a knife that I'm more comfortable with making. Now, back to it.

Corey, shoptalk people, I can't tell any of you how much it means to me to have a sounding board of skilled peers and comrades here. Out in the sticks where I live nobody knows or cares much- hell I hardly ever get an actual other maker in my shop! I've greatly enjoyed visiting with the few who've made the trip.

If I make decent money on the knife I believe I will get it snapped by Coop. I'm capable of listening to sound advice occasionally!

 

[G. Shahan]

Fantastic Salem!

Greg

 

[tryppyr]

Hey speaking of visitors, my wife and I might be doing the Cascade Loop trip again this year. We're planning a trip to Chelan, and we have to get home SOME way... might as well be by passing your way.

 

[Salem Straub]

Consider yourself invited con mucho gusto.

 

[Shawn Hatcher]

Bravo, Salem. That hamon made my heart skip a beat or two!

 

[winterbear]

Man that came out awesome!! I hear ya on living in the sticks, as a want to be maker I have only been to one makers shop so far. Maybe I can sneak your way and be a shop assistant for the day sometime. Chris

 

[Salem Straub]

Thanks Shawn! Winter, please do come by if you get a chance!

 

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Next time, think about some Wolfgang Lorchener style flutes / carving in the bolster