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Posted by: EchoBravo Apr 8 2018, 02:38 PM

Had an opportunity to buy a couple Damascus Chef knife blanks. That folded metal looks so cool, I figured I would try to make a knife handle for them out of stone. Unfortunately I do not have a saw big enough to cut some slabs of my own (someday). So I bought a real nice slab of Stone Canyon Jasper off of Etsy. Then attempted my first knife handles. Was a bit of a challenge with my machines but thought It turned out decent. Now to find the right slab for my second knife :^) (yes this was spurred on by that Forged in Fire show ha ha)

Knife came well oil & wrapped in plastic.

Posted by: Crusty Apr 8 2018, 04:53 PM

If you check out Swizz's knife making thread you'll see some of his amazing work.

Posted by: swizz Apr 11 2018, 07:38 AM

Thanks Mike!
Stone is incredibly difficult to shape for knife scales unless you have serious lapidary equipment. It's extremely beautiful when done properly... but also impractical, unfortunately. The primary reasons being weight, balance, and stone is brittle if dropped. They make for some of the best looking show knives for sure. Check out the works of http://www.jayfisher.com/ for some eye-popping creations, very inspirational.
Keep up the great work!!

Posted by: Denise Apr 11 2018, 08:16 AM

That turned out great EchoBravo! Chris does do some amazing work!! Another one of our lifetime members was making stone knife handles also. You can see a couple of his at this link in the forums...

"http://www.coloradoprospector.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1018"

Keep up the good work!

Posted by: EchoBravo Apr 17 2018, 12:07 PM

Thanks for the kind words. Yes Jay Fisher has some breath taking stuff, that guy is insanely talented. I wasn't sure how stone would behave as a handle and wondered why you don't see many (a lot of work to make). But now that I have been using my chef knife for a bit, I can absolutely say this is my go to knife. It feels good in my hands. doesn't scratch or stain and is surprisingly well balanced. Got lucky as I had no idea what I was doing. lol. I just approached it as I usually approach new challenges for the first time.. (measure 100 times & cut once & then grind it into submission) ha :^). I've got another blank that I am itching to do, & thinking I might add a mosaic pin on this one :^).

Swizz.. I liked that Air Force knife (only an Army knife would have been better ) and your leather work is Awesome! Chris's tiger iron was really nice also! Smooth lines. I really enjoy all the talent on this site. Makes me feel like I am in the right place to learn a thing or twenty.

Posted by: Epadilly Aug 1 2018, 04:20 AM

QUOTE (EchoBravo @ Apr 8 2018, 03:38 PM)

Had an opportunity to buy a couple Damascus Chef knife blanks. That folded metal looks so cool, I figured I would try to make a knife handle for them out of stone. Unfortunately I do not have a saw big enough to cut some slabs of my own (someday). So I bought a real nice slab of Stone Canyon Jasper off of Etsy. Then attempted my first knife handles. Was a bit of a challenge with my machines but thought It turned out decent. Now to find the right slab for my second knife :^) (yes this was spurred on by that Forged in Fire show ha ha)

Knife came well oil & wrapped in plastic.



Stone Canyon Jasper.



Midway thru the process with temporary pins in the knife to steady the stones so I can monitor how close to the steel I was getting. A couple different angles.




Finished product with brass pins & tinted epoxy for seal/waterproofing handles to the steel (this is where I need a little more practice).