I like making what I like to make, and sometimes the pendulum swings quickly from one end to the other. Both of these were finished in the last couple of days.
First, a very substantial bowie. This knife is 1080, stock removal from 3/16 stock with a flat grind and convex edge. The blade has a very clean 800 grit hand finish with great grinds and a good tight guard fitup. The guard and butt are satin finished 416 stainless, and the handle is a great Sambar stag taper. Overall length is 11.5" with a 7 inch blade. Interested in your thoughts on the guard. I'm not sure I like the way I did the top, instead of the more traditional sweeping top guard like the bottom.
Mark side
Back side
Second, a small utility, bird and trout, or desk knife. This knife has a north/south connection. My brother Travis forged this Damascus steel with Jim Clow (and maybe Ed Caffrey) from 1084 and 15n20 while he was on a one year assignment in Canada. He gave me the billet, and I made this knife out of it. The knife has jigged bone handles and double nickel silver bolsters. I was shooting for the old fashioned slipjoint look. The knife is 6.5 inches long with a 2 3/4 blade.
I apologize, these are just Iphone pictures. Cory Martin's going to shoot me a good pic next week on this one.
Mark side
Back side
Very tight! No gaps!
Thanks for looking.
Jason
I'm agreeing with what you are seeing Jason about the bowie guard. I would prefer the top to sweep more like the bottom. But I have to say that it is very clean work with top notch fit and finish. The little knife is so cool.
If you ever get up this way again, maybe we can do some forging together.
Very nice work Jason. Yea, the guard could have used a little sweep to it. But, not a major issue. Good clean work!
I like them both Jason. Sure, the guard on that bowie may look more balanced if the radii (is that right? or is it riduses?) on the lugs matched up, but the execution looks good and the handle and blade look great as well. Besides, if you decide you don't like it, you can always get back in there with a few files and sanding blocks and make the bottom lug match ex post facto.
That bird and trout also looks terrific. I really like that slipjoint look, and the knife looks like it would be a pleasure to carry and use. In fact, you could have a lot of fun with that design, maybe making that knife a few cousins with stag or ironwood or ivory scales and satin finished stainless bolsters, or damascus bolsters and carbon steel blades, or variations on blade and handle shapes, or, or, or... <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//wink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />
