Machete |
Machete |
Jun 22 2012, 09:42 AM
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#1
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Moderator Group: Members Posts: 4,459 Joined: 25-August 09 From: way on up thar Member No.: 6,983 |
Woody gifted me a machete blade which he crafted on a bench grinder from some good steel. He did a great job! It is the classic machete shape and the blade length is 20". The steel is 1/8" thick, it is a beast. He had given it a rope-wrapped handle and suggested that I may want to craft a better handle at some point.
Thank you again Woody! ... and as you know, this will be a very useful tool at our claims. I accept the handle challenge and after doing lots of internet research on knife-making I have begun to fabricate a Sugar Maple handle for it. Bad thing is... I've discovered that the world of knife-making is a whole new creative avenue that I intend to pursue! I'm not a knife freak, but this is fun. Just what I need, another set of irons on the fire (literally). However, the good thing is that I can combine lapidary with knife building... and even use my minerals from the placer mine. High-end fancy knives often incorporate full stone handles and stone inlays which are polished and shaped to perfection. There is one famous knife-maker I was researching who has a knife for sale that has a handle made of Unakite (about $2K, not cheap). Link: Unakite Knife Handle I recall a recent CP Forum thread discussing whether or not Unakite may be lap-able.... definitely YES! Click around his knives and you'll see other gemstones and minerals that he uses to create beautiful knife works. He is an incredible artist. Unakite is abundant on my claim.... along with other minerals that would work well for knife handle materials. Anyway... I still have a LOT to learn before I try to tackle stone handles. A man can dream, right? For now... this is my progress on the Maple handle I'm constructing for the machete. I've also done quite a bit of blade work on it but those pics will have to wait. -------------------- /l ,[____], l---L-OlllllllO- ()_) ()_)--o-)_) BLACK SANDS MATTER! Very Happy CP Lifetime Member CP CORE TEAM Referral Code CE213 |
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Jun 23 2012, 09:34 AM
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#2
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Master Mucker! Group: Admin Posts: 7,189 Joined: 7-October 03 From: Colorado Member No.: 4 |
That's looking great Chris! Very nice wood choice. Are you going to woodburn "Yooper" on it?
Cool link and some very fine looking stone knife handles!! I have no doubt that you will make just as amazing handles from stone someday Chris. Was very cool of you to give that to Chris Woody, your tops. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product. Keep up the good work. -------------------- Education is the key to the future,
and participation opens the door to opportunity. Discover your prospecting independence & success! ColoradoProspector.com Owner/Webmaster Core team member ♥ |
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Jun 24 2012, 08:38 AM
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#3
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Moderator Group: Members Posts: 4,459 Joined: 25-August 09 From: way on up thar Member No.: 6,983 |
Thanks!
I've done some shaping and fitted my handle. Now I'm using a ball-pein hammer to pound 1/4" dia brass rods into rivets. -------------------- /l ,[____], l---L-OlllllllO- ()_) ()_)--o-)_) BLACK SANDS MATTER! Very Happy CP Lifetime Member CP CORE TEAM Referral Code CE213 |
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Jun 24 2012, 07:10 PM
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#4
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Rock Bar! Group: Members Posts: 637 Joined: 5-April 11 From: All of Colorado Member No.: 15,615 |
I'll bet that fits good in the hand. Can't wait to heft the finished product. I knew you would do good stuff with it and you certianly did not let me down. Woody
-------------------- Proud CP Lifetime Member
(currently working hard in the procurement department) |
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Jun 24 2012, 07:43 PM
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#5
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Moderator Group: Members Posts: 4,459 Joined: 25-August 09 From: way on up thar Member No.: 6,983 |
Thanks Woody... just my kinda project.
I have completed it. Just need to stain it a little darker, apply Tru-Oil for a finish, and she's good to go! I will order a belt sheath too, they're inexpensive. It is a "Full Tang" handle... which means that the metal behind the blade (Tang) runs all the way through the handle. I did some fancy work on the blade for fun and practice [/CrocodileDundee voice]: ".... now that's a knife" -------------------- /l ,[____], l---L-OlllllllO- ()_) ()_)--o-)_) BLACK SANDS MATTER! Very Happy CP Lifetime Member CP CORE TEAM Referral Code CE213 |
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Jun 25 2012, 05:00 AM
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#6
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russau Group: Members Posts: 2,841 Joined: 4-December 03 From: st.louis missouri Member No.: 43 |
mighty good lookin! you both did a nice job! but it makes my "store bought" look pretty cheap! haha
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