Work in progress - Anyone interested?

I

irbailey

Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
684
I'm currently doing a work in progress thread on another forum, and wondered if anyone on BF would be interested? I've noticed a couple of people have said they like them in the past, and if this is the case I'll edit this post and add a link to it.
Chances are you've seen it all before, and it is a bit tounge in cheek, but if theres a few people interested I'll do it.
Let me know what you think.

Regards, Ian
 
I love WIP threads, but I prefer when they are posted here rather than having to visit another forum to read them. Not that I have anything against British Blades.
 
Fair comment Keith. The reason I did it this way was due to the ammount of photos I need to post, and the fact that I haven't actually finished it yet. Sorry!
I'll have to do another one sometime on this forum.
Thanks,

Ian
 
I checked out the Brisish forum thread Ian. Well done! I like your knives VERY much.

If you've spent much time here, you probably know there are many that believe "brass has no class", but it looks good on your knives.

Thanks,
Peter
 
Thanks for looking, and for your comments.
I've posted a few knives on here now, and it would come as a surprise to me if I didn't get a few "would be better without brass", "I don't like brass", "stainless would be better" type comments!!
Thats ok though, each to their own tastes I guess. I like the extra bit of colour that brass adds. Its also nice and easy to work. My attempts at soldering stainless have not been very successful, so I'm gonna stick with what I know at the moment.
I did ask about stainless for guards on here some time back, and was told to go for 416. Unfortunatly it seems this only exists in the US. I've no idea what grade I tried to use, but it was a nightmare!!

Hopefully brass will make a retro style comeback as the "material of the moment" some day.
Until then, I guess I'll carry on making knives with no class!

Cheers, Ian
 
Ian,
Do not use 416.It is indeed a nightmare.Go for the 303 free machining grade,it works just like brass.Or you could use ' alpaca '.That's an alloy of copper,nickel and zinc (64,12,24%).
In dutch it is called 'nikkelzilver',but there is no silver in it.Just looks a bit like it.BTW I think your knives are great.

Good luck

G
 
I've decided that I'm not going to comment on brass anymore. The knives being shown here aren't mine and the people purchasing them obviously don't have a problem with it.

When I checked out the other thread I realized that it would have been a huge job to post all that stuff again here, so understand your reluctance.

Both those knives look great. I especially like the fighter.
 
irbailey said:
Hopefully brass will make a retro style comeback as the "material of the moment" some day.
Until then, I guess I'll carry on making knives with no class!

Cheers, Ian
Click to expand...

Brass is not going to make a "retro style comeback"...it was the best material that makers back in the day had access to...not too many people want to go back there.

It isn't that your knives have no class....but they are retrograde compared to what entry level makers in the U.S. are doing. Tapered tangs are great, and you do it well, but full exposed tangs on carbon steel are less preferred due to the difficulty in maintaining a clean(no patina) surface. The choil/ricasso on the fighter is too high, and what is up with that swedge/false edge? Could you have made it any thinner?

Going your own way is all well and good, but you can really do a much nicer knife from an aesthetic perspective.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Last edited:
Good stuff. I *love* the commentary.... ;)

Ian Bailey said:
....and obviously if you take out too much material you have to throw it in the hedge whilst shouting rude words.
At least thats what I do. :D
Click to expand...

Thanks. Your following adores you and the thread. Keep it up.

Coop
 
I never understood the concern over Brass until I saw a Twig custom knife with an ivory handle and brass pins. The brass had corroded around the circumference of the pins, which seems to have fractured the ivory and seeped green corrosion into the cracks of the ivory. Really sad to see since it was a nice little knife.


Mitch
 
braillediver said:
I never understood the concern over Brass until I saw a Twig custom knife with an ivory handle and brass pins. The brass had corroded around the circumference of the pins, which seems to have fractured the ivory and seeped green corrosion into the cracks of the ivory. Really sad to see since it was a nice little knife.


Mitch
Click to expand...

I have two of Keith Davis's(Twig) knives, he learned his lesson, but he did use a LOT of brass.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Brass is not going to make a "retro style comeback"...it was the best material that makers back in the day had access to...not too many people want to go back there.

It isn't that your knives have no class....but they are retrograde compared to what entry level makers in the U.S. are doing. Tapered tangs are great, and you do it well, but full exposed tangs on carbon steel are less preferred due to the difficulty in maintaining a clean(no patina) surface. The choil/ricasso on the fighter is too high, and what is up with that swedge/false edge? Could you have made it any thinner?

Going your own way is all well and good, but you can really do a much nicer knife from an aesthetic perspective.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Oh dear:(

Ian
 
irbailey said:
Oh dear:(

Ian
Click to expand...

Not exactly sure what your response means, but am trying to be helpful and constructive....just another perspective from a collector...take it for what it is worth.

If you are happy with the way your work is turning out, and have no want for new customers, you can ignore everything I have to say.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Retro can be fun...different boats for different folks.

One of my favorite knives is a 15yo Don Hanson...thick brass liners, nickel silver bolsters, remington bullet pattern, 01 steel, jigged bone handle, classic minimal brass pins with a steel pivot. Personally, no offense Don, I like my old retro one better than the more ornate damscus folders he makes now. With brass, nickel silver and carbon steel, the knife shows its age and has character. The gouges and pits have history :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top