WIP questions

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
Messages
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Nope, this is NOT a work in progress thread. Rather, it's a thread with questions regarding them.

Very soon, I will be starting on our local friend Lorien Arnold's big 'ol chopper. Right from the beginning, Lorien and I had discussed doing a photo tag-along of the construction.

I've noticed in many WIP's, you see the knife in stages, but don't often see the actual process that got it from point A to B. (of course there are complete exceptions like Bruce Bump's very detailed threads, Kyle Royer's outstanding video tag-along... etc).

In the last few months it's been floating around my head to do one with REALLY detailed shots trying to show what I'm doing, what that step does, and what I'm looking for along the way.

This was spurred on even more by Lorien's "kid before Christmas" enthusiasm and excitement build up like showing pics of a box as he receives it in the mail, opening it, etc.

I would want it to be 100% clear that I would in no way, shape, or form be using this as a teaching tool as I don't think I'm in a position to do that... rather just a detailed shadow of how I work in the shop and what works (or DOESN'T) for me.

So with all that said, is there anything you guys would want to see specifically??? Angi and I will be taking the pics as I work and sending them to Lorien for posting and his thoughts.

The knife is going to be a large chopper, forged down from big W2, ran through a salt bath, clay-coated and hardened, 416 ss guard with some spacers, and a wood handle. Pretty simple in the grand scheme of things (even though simple does not equate to easy for ME).

Any thoughts would be appreciated! :)
 
hey guys, we'll be doing this thread for your benefit, (and my entertainment, as I love sharing this stuff) so please give Nick a little feedback.

Your lackluster participation in this thread will result in a lackluster WIP thread from me, I promise;), (not really I'm lying, I'll do my best anyway, but c'mon- is this thing on?):).

This upcoming thread has a very good promise of being totally kickass. With Nick's amazing attention to detail and my knack for mediocrity, we'll have something pretty interesting happening here. This is a collaborative effort and you guys are also collaborators, so please use this thread here to collaborate with us.

What DO you want to see and read?
 
Well, I'm looking forward to it, and the more detailed the better. I just wish Nick would finish the last WIP he started. :D
 
I always love seeing how others do their clay. How they apply it and what patterns they use. Also, I like seeing how spacers guards and handles go together (pins etc.) Oh and don't forget the gizmos doodads and jigs. This should be fun.
 
nick....i would be really interested in seeing how you fit your guards, shape the handle, etc.....and of course any little gadgets if any you use to help you with the process.....ryan
 
I want to see some HOT shots on the anvil. I want to see spin shots when you are banging it out. When it's cool maybe hold it in your hand when it's in the rough 'being banged out state?' I'd love to see it before thermo-cycling in hand... Clay coating. that salt dip would be awesome.... um...
 
I'd also like to see your claying process. What kind of pattern you will be trying to get, the clay coat to acheive that pattern and the result, either showing success in getting what you wanted or the "happy accident" that the pattern ends up being.

Other than that, I think what you choose as important to convey will be more interesting than us chosing what you tell us. I remember in that polishing one, the little extra tools you made and stuff and it's things like that, that are personal to you that made the thread most interesting to me. Not only the knife being made but the innovation you bring to the common tasks we all have to do to make a knife.
 
My biggest interests would be in seeing how you do the clay on the blade for your killer hamons and how you shape/sculpt the handle.

This is a definite vote for a Bruce Bump style WIP. I know it will be a lot of extra work but we will really be grateful.

Thanks in advance.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys! :)

Lorien's post made me actually laugh (out loud and stuff ;) ).

I always worry whenever I post showing how I do something, that somebody who's better at it than me is thinking, "Who in the hell is he to post that?!?!" When the bottom line is I like sharing cuz it's fun and it opens up the potential that somebody will say "Hey, have you tried doing it this _ _ _ _ _ way????"

I also hear and read time and time again, that we need collector education so we can broaden the understanding of what goes into these things. Seems like a little "job shadowing" in the shop is a good way to do that. Hell, if nothing else, it will show people how NOT to do things! LMAO :D

I will be glad to take pics of the clay process, but I can tell you right now that I'm a hack and I just go with the happy accidents. I think there are guys that can write their name in the crystalline structure... but I am NOT one of them.

Thanks for posting guys, please don't hesitate to add to this as it will hopefully help me get new ideas on how to look at things as well as make Lorien's thread better!!! :)
 
now we're talkin.
 
Ok so lets start at the beginning, give us some insight from the customer/collector and from the maker side on how you do design, material selection ect. I of course want to see all of the other aspects especially forging but personally I lack some of the planning skills especially collaboratively and would like to see how you go about it.

Chris
 
Nick / Lorien - you guys have been here how long and don't know that Friday night is about the DEADEST time to start a new thread? :p

Nick - WIPs are among my favourite types of threads - I have yet to see one that I thought was too detailed. I'm more than happy to come along for the ride.

BUT - these threads take time. The more detailed you make them, the more computer time you are devoting and the less knifemaking time you have available. Know what I mean, Verne? ;)

Roger
 
Roger- I've gotta admit that being back on a crazy knife schedule I forgot what day it was. :o

And no worries, I need some "distractions" like this type of thing just to keep things moving along. :) I will let Angi help with pics and Lorien do the posting... which should give me more freedom to just get it done :D
 
Nick - Its was already requested, but I'd also love to see how you do your handles... how you maintain symmetry with that degree of sculpting, prep the tang hole, finishes..... etc.

Also... your grinds, plunge lines, and hand finishes are perfect....PERFECT! That's an area in which I can use a lot of help, so I'd like to see the tools and technique you employ.

Thank you!!
 
Nick, I have to agree with Ryan. I would love to see the step-by-step of how you do your guard fit-up. The more detail, the better from where I'm sitting. Your fit between blades and guards are simply as clean as any I've ever seen, and this part of the process still gives me fits! You can bet that I'll be glued to this one as it unfolds! I can't wait!
 
RogerP said:
Nick / Lorien - you guys have been here how long and don't know that Friday night is about the DEADEST time to start a new thread? :p
Click to expand...

hey man, over 50 views in the first hour or two! When there's a giveaway in the maker's forum, do you think it matters how dead it is out there?:p
Thanks you guys for chiming in:thumbup:. This thread will be awesome, and I'll try and get it 'out there' so as many people in our little world benefit from it as possible.
 
Hey Nick,
Sounds GREAT. I'll be looking forward to it. Your recent thread showing your technique for creating a hamon was VERY informative.

The more details the better in my opinion.

Peter
 
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