What's happening in the David Mary Custom shop?

[David Mary]

Larger diameter wheels, by the way, for those who might not know, are a little more energy to accelerate with, but once they get rolling they just want to keep rolling. I'm able to maintain higher speeds with better pedaling efficiency, meaning I spend less energy overall on my rides.

 

[GAGL]

My bike before this one was a Specialized Rockhopper 29'er. It was my first one with such large wheels. Why, at six foot five, I never was steered towards large diameter wheels before that, I don't know. But it was Ben who recommended it to me. And ever since feeling the difference between that and whatever the standard size was (26, IIRC?) I was determined to always get the larger wheels, and I was very specific with Ben on this bike when I ordered it a few years ago that the wheels be the larger size. And the tubes seem to fit properly.



I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but despite being an avid commuting cyclist ever since grade school, I am not super knowledgeable about bike maintenance. I have always gotten by relying on bike mechanics. I can tune things a bit, but I have never replaced anything other than a tube (I installed and programmed a few bike computers, before I realized - or admitted to myself - they were ultimately unnecessary for me), and don't necessarily know what to look for.

no reason to be ashamed some people are good mechanics but lazy/bad riders

this is a rim tape, it protects your tube from the spoke welds


i think your problem is the sidewall falling apart

29" is the way to go, except for downhilling. 26" is more precise easier to steer..

YT is your friend when it comes to bike maintenance..it's handy to know how to adjust a deraileur or bleed brakes.might save you in a pinch, as those failures often happen in the worst moments possible..like a rain/snowstorm.

 

[David Mary]

Ah thank you. Yes, the tape is intact, and I felt inside the tire for debris as well.

i think your problem is the sidewall falling apart

Agreed.

 

[David Mary]

I started late and ended late, but the skitters were eating me alive

I told Chris "those skitters will make a morning person of me yet!"

And here I am. Reset complete. Good morning everyone.

 

[woodysone]

I told Chris "those skitters will make a morning person of me yet!"

And here I am. Reset complete. Good morning everyone.

But did you get much sleep? Don’t have time for accidents.

 

[David Mary]

I did.

 

[jbmonkey]

I told Chris "those skitters will make a morning person of me yet!"

And here I am. Reset complete. Good morning everyone.

I'm a night owl, I dislike mornings...but i have to work in mornings, so I end up switching weekends, I dont work...to late nights. back to early mornings Monday. if I was smart id stay on early mornings. but I've never been accused of that.. .....

 

[David Mary]

Okay mornings rock. Up at 7:50 am, puttered around on computer, played some chess, had a visit from a friend, then got packed up to go to work and headed out the door with my bike, backpack and my two big kettlebells. Got a nice fifteen minute or so workout in with them, then put then back in the doorway and went to work. Got to the shop at 11:00 and finished at 9:30. All four knives that that I had mentioned experiencing setbacks on are corrected and finished, another knife I had issues with is fixed, and I made and finished three AEB-L and micarta marlin spike/toothpicks with their sheaths, got a camp knife mostly done just needing a sheath, maker's mark and sharpening, and got a khukuri ground that now has the handle attached and is curing over night. My phone battery was low though so no pics from the day at the shop. Nevertheless, 'twas a good day.

 

[David Mary]

Sometimes I just have to horse stance. I will get to the pics, I promise.

 

[David Mary]

My original thought to use the semi-satin/forge scale finish on failed to take into account that the maker's mark would etch poorly. I actually did one, and then refinished the belt over because of how poor the mark was, then lined the stencil back up with what was left of it after for round two. This revealed a slight concavity on this side which would require significant grinding, which would eat into the stock thickness but from only the side with the maker's mark. So instead I left the blade geometry alone with a birth mark accompanying.



I wish I could show you the camp knife right away. I'm really stoked about it. And I hope to feel the same way after I get into the khukuri's (or KLO, as some might call it) handle. Both are sporting green/grea(?)y Frogblanks wood.

By the way that's the emoji for I'm still up at two eh, em?

 

[David Mary]

These are starting to shape up

 

[David Mary]

Better view


Still dialing in ergos

 

[Hurrul]

Better view

View attachment 1822793
Still dialing in ergos

Smaller blade looks like it would be a fun all around, knock about, nature bumming type blade. Some edge belly, but still a keen and useful point. Nice work on both, David.

 

[David Mary]

Thank you!

Both have evolved since.

 

[David Mary]

And I started this:




And this:

 

[Currawong]

Is your workshop insulated and heated? If not I guess you're glad it's coming into Summer. Winters must be brutal there.

 

[David Mary]

This is my first month in this shop. Come winter there is a wood stove here to keep me warm

 

[Wild Willie]

This is my first month in this shop. Come winter there is a wood stove here to keep me warm

Nothing like a wood stove to keep the chill away!

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Did you thin down the short sword? I thought it was wider in the belly?

Unless it's a different, I thought it might be one from an old batch?

 

[David Mary]

Did you thin down the short sword? I thought it was wider in the belly?

Unless it's a different, I thought it might be one from an old batch?

It's the only blank of its kind I have done so far.