Finally Back In The Shop

[BrokenolMarine]

I got out in the shop tonight and waxed them all, left them overnight to dry, will buff them in the morning and add at least one more coat of wax, then clean any old tape adhesive off the blades, finish off the ribs, and brass pins, and we'll be golden. I'll start practicing to start on the sheaths. I have already watched a couple leather working vids to refresh my memory. It's been a year.

[daytime dave]

Nice work so far sir. Very nice indeed.

[zara_puppy]

Those are gorgeous!!! You, sir, have skills.

[BrokenolMarine]

Out in the shop yesterday. Buffed out the wax and the knives are glowing beautifully. I haven't cleaned the blades or checked the sharpness of the edges. I'll leave that until I have finished the sheathes. My daughter called. She wants a single feather carved into her sheath. I have been watching videos in preparation to refresh the old memory. That is the next task... the first sheath. Stay tuned. A few practice carvings of a feather, then drawing the pattern and away we go....

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Oooh, shiney.

[BigAl52]

All three of those look awesome especially like the one in the center.

[BrokenolMarine]

So does my daughter Al, that's her's.
She chose the blade blank, and the slab of curly cherry.
I made her a smaller knife years ago, she still carries it every day. She just wanted something bigger for skinning.

[BigAl52]

Where are you getting the blank blades at and how are they at holding an edge

[BrokenolMarine]

Most of the blanks come from woodcraft. I haven't had any issues with holding an edge, in fact I bought a damascus kitchen knife blank and made it for Miss T and it's her go to knife in the kitchen. Now that I'm back in the shop she wants me to make the paring knife to match.

I found a knife makers supply (Jantz) in Davis Oklahoma that carries everything.
knifemaking.com

I plan to pick up a few things from them in the future. Some damascus blanks, mosaic pins, etc. I'll never hit the level of the knives displayed in "their" cases, but it gets me out of the recliner.

[BrokenolMarine]

I mentioned Jessie's knife I made several years ago. She carried it every day for a couple years, then called and asked me to make a sheath. Wanted me to carve something in it. I told her I hadn't done that. "You Tube it." she said, and hung up. I called her a few days later and told her I'd need the knife back. She drove up to visit her mom and brought the knife. It was looking sad, she hadn't kept the handle oiled and waxed and the blade was chipped in several places.

I refinished the knife, and sharpened it, between steps in the leather work. I pointed that out when she came back up to pick up the knife and sheath. "I knew you would." she grinned.

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She still carries the same knife today. The new one will be for special duties.

[zara_puppy]

That is beautiful. Perfect for every day carry.

[dave77]

That curly cherry handle is beautiful, almost looks like it has inlays.

[Jdl447]

Really cool stuff. Now that I am retired, I may look into this.

[BrokenolMarine]

Really cool stuff. Now that I am retired, I may look into this.

Woodcraft sells everything you need, even scales and sheath kits, mosaic pins, and the bits to drill the proper holes in the scales. You can put together a first knife with minimal custom work to get a feel for it. I put more and more "me" into each one as my skills grow. I had hoped to start forging the blade blanks...



... But with the various injuries and arthritis worsening, banging a hammer on steel against an anvil no longer seems wise... Guess I'll continue to SHOP for my blanks rather than banging them out in my shop.

[Jdl447]

Thanks. I’ll look that up.

[BrokenolMarine]

Spent some time in the shop over the last few days working on the sheath for the daughter's knife. First things first... I had to practice with the leather tools, carving, stamping, and using the various cutting tools. I used a half dozen pieces of scrap leather to play with various designs, and worked on drawing, outlining, and detailing a feather. Yup, that's what she wants on the sheath.

Then I laid out and designed a left hand sheath for the knife. Finally I cut one out, then began the process. First I laid out the feather and detailed it, stained it, and set it aside to dry, along with the loop for the back of the sheath. Below is the result of that process. Still lots to do. I have laid out the holes to be punched for sewing the edges, but there's a bit more to do before THAT happens... Miss T and the kid like it so far... so I'm good.

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If the finished sheath doesn't turn out, I toss it in the drawer and start over. At least I'm no longer sitting in the rocker staring out the living room window.

[markiver54]

Looking good!! It's great that you're back at it!

[CT_Shooter]

Beautiful!

... so I'm good.

Agreed.

[BrokenolMarine]

Beautiful!

... So I'm good.

Agreed.

... So I'm good.

^^^^^^ I meant happy.

[CT_Shooter]

... I meant happy.

Nonetheless, I meant good.

[BrokenolMarine]

Thank you sir, I'll be back at it this afternoon. Errands all morning. Therapy and then summer haircut at 2:30. Plus, we dropped the Titan off yesterday... Oil change, new tires, a few minor things. Should be ready for pickup today.
(That bill will sting... )