WIP - Halstatt inspired dagger

[JacksonRobinson]

Hello everyone. I started a new project and thought I would give a WIP thread a shot to share my progress. I will be creating a Hallstatt "Antenna" inspired dagger. I will cast the grip and guard out of bronze and make the blade out of Damascus. I've always loved the aesthetics of the Halstatt-style daggers and swords.

Here is a concept rending I did of what I'm shooting for. The final design will most likely evolve a bit, but this is my general direction. I will be modeling the handle and such in 3D then 3D printing them in a castable resin that I will use to do a lost wax casting process with the bronze.



The Sword on the right is my main source of inspiration.

 

[JacksonRobinson]

This is my first go at grinding fillers. Completely botch my first attempt and had to start over but here is my progress on the blade. I took out the Leaf shape and added a fuller from the concept.

 

[JacksonRobinson]

 

[JacksonRobinson]

 

[Lorien]

following!!!

 

[jfk1110]

Looking good......

 

[1911bphil]

Looks great. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Dawkind]

Man, that’s quite the endeavor!!!

Great job!!!!

 

[WValtakis]

Looks great so far!

 

[scarysamcary]

wow, this looks like it will turn out absolutely amazing!

 

[JacksonRobinson]

Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement. I have the tang welded on and have given it a normalizing cycle. This will be the first time I have welded on a tang but I only had so much Damascus for this project and I didn't want to waste 6 inches of Damascus on the tang.

 

[JacksonRobinson]

Here is the blade and grip rough out in 3D. Once I have the blade finished, I will model the blade to its real size in 3D and be able to make the hole in the handle fit perfectly over the blade.

 

[Forrest Taylor]

It makes my head hurt trying to figure out how Id make that handle. Dang

 

[scarysamcary]

It makes my head hurt trying to figure out how Id make that handle. Dang

I'm afraid I know all too well how I would make it... Have someone else do it for me lol

 

[JacksonRobinson]

I did a rough casting a few weeks ago to test my DIY vacuum casting chamber. Some parts are rough, as I didn't mix the casting slurry correctly.

 

[jfk1110]

I did a rough casting a few weeks ago to test my DIY vacuum casting chamber. Some parts are rough, as I didn't mix the casting slurry correctly.

View attachment 2240326

Still for a first go at it.looks damn good..

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

I did a rough casting a few weeks ago to test my DIY vacuum casting chamber. Some parts are rough, as I didn't mix the casting slurry correctly.

View attachment 2240326

Very nice work! What equipment did you use for melting?