Knife Making Options

[Crusty]

I'll go with any color he decides upon.
Knife is charcoal colored steel with nickel-silver bolsters and deep blue Lapis scales. My vote would have to be black if I were making this for general sale based on that color scheme, BUT not sure how black would work with the pea shooter. Mike's call.
I know.... let's put Lapis scales on the pea shooter!

Dude, that's gonna be so cool! That lapis is going to look amazing when it is finished. That is going to be an amazing piece!

Black works for me if it woks from Brandon.

[Dypheron]

Dude, that's gonna be so cool! That lapis is going to look amazing when it is finished. That is going to be an amazing piece!

Black works for me if it woks from Brandon.

Black it is.

[swizz]

Slowly but surely.
I fractured one of the Lapis scales when drilling unfortunately. Hairline fractures but I couldn't live with it. I replaced that scale and am back on track but need nice weather so I can continue shaping it outdoors. It's still in rough form and too toxic for me to grind indoors. I'm going to give drilling another shot today, fingers crossed.
sneak peek
Work in progress... by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

[Crusty]

damn dude, that is gonna be pretty amazing!! I am so excited!

[swizz]

It's been nice enough outside that I've been able to work on the Lapis knife outdoors for the last three days.
It's still in the rough form and shape but I'm making decent progress, getting close!
Here's another sneak peek because I want to show off my tolerances, this is an excellent fit all around. Once I etch the Damascus that center spine will be black.
Progress... by ghostcreekmine, on Flickr

[fenixsmom]

That is just beautiful!

[Crusty]

It's been nice enough outside that I've been able to work on the Lapis knife outdoors for the last three days.
It's still in the rough form and shape but I'm making decent progress, getting close!
Here's another sneak peek because I want to show off my tolerances, this is an excellent fit all around. Once I etch the Damascus that center spine will be black.

I get more excited every pic you post! Hope the weather holds so maybe it'll be done by the time we hook up in April!

[swizz]

Really close to completion of your knife Crusty. I finished shaping the bolsters and Lapis yesterday.... everything is down to #600 grit. Many days to get it to this stage, that's a difficult material.
I'll spend the majority of today buffing those components, then re-etch the Damascus. Curious to see how my FeCl etching solution effects the Nickel Silver bolsters and pins. If all that goes well... she's done!
Next I'll start on your crossdraw sheath and I have some good ideas for that. This knife is large (long) and heavy. The Lapis weighs as much as the steel. That will present a few sheathing and carry challenges but not a huge obstacle. I got the knife to balance at the rear of the bolsters. This is a feat considering the weight of those scales.
I'll need to know the width of the belt which you'll primarily be using to carry this monster. I recommend a 1.5" - 2" wide belt for carrying both knife and gun.
I'm holding off on pics until the set is complete. Actually, I'll probably hold off posting pics until you receive it.

Brandon - I'd like to do a basket weave pattern on this sheath (in the spirit of all that is fancy). Would you like to do one on the holster to match? If so, I can send you my stamp tool so that we match patterns. I could send it to you either before or after I use it. Should be stamped prior to dying or holster assembly and sewing so might be too late on your end.

[Crusty]

can't wait to see it! Sounds like it is gonna be too purdy to use! :)

Can't remember if my belt is 1/5 or 2"; will measure when I get home.

Not to add work, but while you are measuring it for a sheath, if you can keep the measurements and whenever you get time, I'd also like to have a "normal" carry sheath for when I'm not packing heat. No hurry, whenever you get around to it; let me know if I can pre-purchase the materials for it. I did have an idea pop up, thinking of how cool the Damascus will look... think you could do something like this with a cutout to show off the blade too? Just an idea.

No pressure... whenever you have time, even if it's a next winter project

I am so stoked!

Attached image(s)

 

[swizz]

Sure, I can do another sheath for it that is not crossdraw for more practical carry.
I'll need more leather so perhaps we can work something out with that, maybe a 7-9oz double shoulder or half shoulder of Hermann Oaks from Springfield Leather. I would do that as a trade.
The open blade reveal isn't a good plan. Sheaths are designed to protect the blade and keep it dry... that would do neither. If it was just an ornamental wall knife, then I could be talked into it but this baby deserves to be used AND protected. You want to keep this blade free of moisture, and I recommend keeping it lightly oiled at all times. It shouldn't be stored in any sheath for long periods of time (no knife should). Damascus is very prone to oxidization due to the high carbon steels.

[Crusty]

Sure, I can do another sheath for it that is not crossdraw for more practical carry. I'll need more leather so perhaps we can work something out with that, maybe a 7-9oz double shoulder or half shoulder of Hermann Oaks from Springfield Leather. I would do that as a trade. The open blade reveal isn't a good plan. Sheaths are designed to protect the blade and keep it dry... that would do neither. If it was just an ornamental wall knife, then I could be talked into it but this baby deserves to be used AND protected. You want to keep this blade free of moisture, and I recommend keeping it lightly oiled at all times. It shouldn't be stored in any sheath for long periods of time (no knife should). Damascus is very prone to oxidization due to the high carbon steels.

Thanks, as always, for being so nice when you say, "these ain't no sissy hang on the wall knives, they're the real deal, stop trying to sissify them!"

Shoot me a PM with what you need and I'll hook it up!

[swizz]

Thanks, as always, for being so nice when you say, "these ain't no sissy hang on the wall knives, they're the real deal, stop trying to sissify them!"

This is how I can best sum it up....
Knives and sheaths are tools.
It's not a crime to embellish them, as long as it doesn't compromise the integrity or performance of the tool.

[Denise]

Brandon - I'd like to do a basket weave pattern on this sheath (in the spirit of all that is fancy). Would you like to do one on the holster to match? If so, I can send you my stamp tool so that we match patterns. I could send it to you either before or after I use it. Should be stamped prior to dying or holster assembly and sewing so might be too late on your end.

Brandon is in Germany for a couple of weeks.

[swizz]

Brandon is in Germany for a couple of weeks.

Oh that's right! He sent me a text saying he was leaving. International man of the world.

[Dypheron]

Oh that's right! He sent me a text saying he was leaving. International man of the world.

Yep. I'll be back sometime next weekend.


Truth be told I'm not very confident in my basketweave stamping abilities, I haven't had very much luck keeping the stamps lined up correctly. I plan on doing a wet formed two piece holster, which won't allow for the stamping anyway. Well I suppose I could, but it'd look like crap after the wet forming.

I should be able to have it done before the 4th, but I can't be 100% sure of that. Should have brought some supplies with me, with as much time I waste sitting here doing nothing I could have finished a whole bunch of projects.