I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still have to peen the end of the handle pins as well as to sand & finish the walnut scal...

Adding the pommel wrap: This is 16 gauge sterling silver. Once the epoxy cures, I will drill & add two silver through pins and peen the heads....

Mike, I'm not familiar with the tank that you mention but 5 gallon is a very good size. Beyond that it should have some type of removable lid an...

The handle scales attached (the masking tape is only to protect the pre-engraved escutcheons): To attach the scales I used 1/8" stainless tubing....

Thanks Brion. Turning the domed pin heads:

Getting started on silver plating the filework. For this I am using 30 gauge sterling (dead soft). The second photo is my homemade tool for shap...

Progressing with the No.1: At this point the silver just ahead of the handle scales is soldered to the blade (Low temp solder 381 degree so as no...

Here's the blade with the filework completed and ready for tempering. In order to match the original James Black knife, I gave it 19 rolls on the to...

Getting started on the tang filework: The original James Black knife had 19 rolls on the top of the tang and 22 on the bottom. The...

Adding a wedge shouldn't destroy the handle. It's sometimes hard to get one driven into the handle though. I've had the best luck using a hardened ...

Congratulations. Well done!

Here's the completed dagger:

I've still another day or two of handle work but it's getting to where I can see the end of the tunnel. {There will be a spacer of 416 between ...

I've got the snakewood roughed out. Time to do some handle carving: This was done with a small half-round hand chisel. The snakewood was...