My latest blade...

[Don A]

Here's my submission to the "scrounged materials" Knife in the Hat over on the Primal Fires site:





The full-tang blade is an old Diston file from a hand full of "throw aways" an old gentleman gave me.

The handle is black walnut from my 2003-04 wood pile.

The guard is pewter from a melted-down yard sale tea pitcher.

The pins are 10 penny nails.

Over-all, about 8 5/8" with the blade around 4.5".

[elkdoc]

Not too shabby, mister! Looks like a great utility blade.

Maybe I'll get in on the next KITH...

[Ray Plank]

Very Nice ! I must be scrounging in the wrong places, since I've never found anything that nice ! LOL
I do have a question. I assume you have the blade heat treated ( Normalized, hardened, tempered to the right hardness) before you put the handle on it. When you pour the pewter for the front guard, does it affect the heat treating of the blade enough to worry about, or is the temp of the melted pewter lower than your tempering temp ? Or, do you have the blade wrapped in wet cloths to keep it from getting too warm ?

Ray Plank

[Don A]

Thanks for the kind words. I really had a good time with this one.

Ray,

If you look real close at the pictures, you can see a slight halo on the blade that follows the shape of the guard. I was supposed to have this all polished out, but flash photography will show stuff you'd rather it didn't :wink:

Anyway, this halo originally ran to just a light bronze color, and only as far as it shows, so the heat would have had no negative effects on the blade. I heated the pewter until it would just begin to scorch a sliver of pine wood (like a tooth-pick) and then poured it. This was my first try at pouring pewter, and I'll definitely be trying it again.

[Ray Plank]

You're right, I had to look Real hard to see the halo ! I haven't tried pouring a pewter guard yet, but I have been collecting mugs from various thrift shops for the day when I get brave enough to try it. Thanks for the info !

Ray

[oakwoodforge]

Don,
Beautiful Blade, one question how does the pewter stay on is there holes drilled through the tang to let it flow through or pins or something, I wouldn't think the the pewter "just sticks " But I have never used it before so, Let us know Ok, Thanks

Jens

[Don A]

Jens,

Good question; let's see if this works:



You are correct... one hole drilled thru (just like for a pin) and two half-circles filed top & bottom (with a small round file).

This should keep it locked in tight.

[primtechsmith]

When pouring the pewter do you have a roughed out mold to keep the pewter from running all over the place? The knife looks great Don!

Peyton

[Don A]

Peyton,

I built the form for this one from aluminum foil. The foil did stick a bit, but I cast it oversize and filed it to shape along with the handle.

I used foil to try and accomidate the curved shape, but most folks use a heavy paper like index card stock.

Whatever you use, tape it good and tight. The molten pewter flows like water and it will quickly find any cracks or holes in your form. You can easily end up with pewter-plated boots!