What's happening in the David Mary Custom shop?

Thank you Sam! I have been playing with this knife more than usual in the woods. If you haven't named it yet, may I humbly submit the "One Shot"? Because that describes what it is doing to everything under two inches!
 
After a private discussion with Sam regarding the results of the testing, and a few cautionary notes due to the narrow precipice upon which we balance performance with toughness, we're calling this one done. And it only took 13 hours straight with no food. :)

And may I add: this knife out chops every knife I have ever made or grasped with my own two hands.

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Well it isn't really full tek-lock up front I guess now that I look at it again. Anyway, Friday, Canada Day, Smokey's estimated/nominal birthday was partly a social day and a staging and prioritization day on the reblade project.

Recon 1 first, then the Airlight, in honor of knives on loan to me, and then I'll see where I want to go next between Code 4 and Manixes 2 and 2 XL. I'm learning as I go, and there are differences in the action now that didn't exist before heat treatment, which I'm going to have to adjust for. I made good progress on a Recon 1, but now I have to try to perform the job of a surface grinder. What about removing the teflon washers.... I should give that a try....

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Chris was kind enough to both procure me some old oak stair steps never use, and loan me the saw to process blanks with.

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I did something foolish and broke my hammer that I broke before, and fixed with CA glue, then broke later when using it for an extended time as if it had never broken, at which point I was ready to chuck it, but Chris fixed it with wood glue. And I had been using it flawlessly for setting eyelets in my sheaths. 7 taps of the hammer at the speed and force of muscle memory. Well I can kiss all that good bye as I transfer my differently balanced, locally sold, Chinese made, home hammer to the shop tomor... later today. 🤷‍♂️ I'm sure I'll get the swing of things...

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Chris' wife has a paring knife from the dollar store which despite my guess of 420 looks to me to be a great design and beautiful lines. I'd like to make something similar to this design.

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It reminds me of the idea that I ran with on steel cutting day based around the idea "knuckle clearance neckers". Like the ones at the top and bottom in this pic:

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Shortly after this I heard the pop of Canada Day fireworks. But this was the only sight I needed.

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Crag the Brewer said:
Did you weigh the Big guy? Lol
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2 lb 13.4 oz ;)

And a customer sent me Damascus and handle material. Here are the three knives I've begun for him. The Damascus sheet was not quite long enough for a third full sized knife, so the cheffy looking one will be a hidden tang. This is as far as I've gotten on them so far for Monday.

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It was quite rainy today, and only lightened up slightly in the afternoon, at which point I went to the shop and worked on some general prep for a few knives. The mosquitos got thick around seven, and so I headed home. They are always around, but won't be so bad in the day time. My job history has groomed me for an "afternoon shift" schedule, with wind down time after work. But now it's eating me alive. Switching to days again. It's going to be the best way for me to get things done, at least until fall. Wish me luck.
 
I tried. I turned everything off, complete silence and darkness, and laid awake for two and a half hours... well there a write up I have been putting off I can start that ... I even did a few extra kilometers on the way home up and down hills to tire myself out.
 
"Late at night and I still can't sleep
My body's tired, but my thoughts are running deep..."

It is hard to change an ingrained sleep pattern.
Bill
 
I left the shop yesterday evening around 7:30 and told Chris I was switching to days. I said I might be back at 5 am or 7 am.... Was looking for a 12 hour day in the shop. Oh well, I still have time to put 8 in.

lmalterna said:
It is hard to change an ingrained sleep pattern.
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I texted Chris a few minutes ago to tell him about last night, and he said the same thing... "It's a process" in his words
 
David Mary said:
After a private discussion with Sam regarding the results of the testing, and a few cautionary notes due to the narrow precipice upon which we balance performance with toughness, we're calling this one done. And it only took 13 hours straight with no food. :)

And may I add: this knife out chops every knife I have ever made or grasped with my own two hands.

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Click to expand...
it's a force of nature is what it is.
 
With the timing of Jarod completing heat treatment orders I have reached a point of some discretionary time outside working on the damascus knives, before the new river knife works hawkbills arrive.

But in a bid make my use of time on exchange bound knives more productive and encourage preemptive interest here first, I have used some of that discretionary time to grind some blades and assemble materials that can be used for the handles. What can you build yourself or a friend with these?

Pic Post incoming
 
Internet is slower again but not terribleness for a quick sit for some PEPPA.
 

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