gearhartironwerks Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 I'm sure we all throw billets in a drawer that we think we'll get back to later. This is one of them for me. Since my assistant is leaving in 2 weeks, I thought it may be a good time to get something out the door if possible. So, here it is. The handle is tulip wood and ebony. Unfortunately, the photo does not show how pretty the tulip wood is. Comments/critique welcome. Thanks for looking. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve McCarthy Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 OUTSTANDING! The contrast is amazing. What materials did you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitch4ging Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Beautiful knife! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhartironwerks Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 Steve, I used 1095 and L6 saw blade. The key is to etch,sand,etch,sand etc so the etch is deep enough that the L6 (the more noble of the two) stands slightly proud of the 1095 and is the more polished of the two. It's important to sand the L6 highlights to about 1500-2000 grit to get non muddy highlights on the L6. If you can see grind lines on the L6, it will come out muddy. I typically use a painters stirring stick with some gasket material glued to it as a backing block for the sandpaper. Unfortunately, there aren't many shortcuts for hand work. Anyone care to chime in here? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitch4ging Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 John, thanks for the overview of your knife! Did you also make your own mosaic pins? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Frisse Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 That's arguably the most beautiful pattern I've ever laid eyes on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhartironwerks Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 Mitch, I buy the pins . They're about $30./per foot. Expensive, but good eye candy. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 One trick I have used for extra dark is Cold blue solution between etching sessions in nickel damascus. After I get the feric chloride to about as dark as I can get it, hand sanding between 20 minute sessions, I use the cold blue, then hand sand again lightly, then 10 minutes or so more back into the etch of ferric chloride and a final hand sand/polish. this way its an even very dark finish. (ever try to get a good and even finish with cold blue alone? if ya do please tell me how) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhartironwerks Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 Steve, I like to soak in battery acid diluted 1:1 with distilled water about 15 mins as a cleaning for the blade. Then neutralize and into the ferric. A slight etch begins in the acid. John Maybe this should be in fit and finish? OK its moved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve McCarthy Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Thanks John. I'm not a very patient person, so I'm pretty sure knives will never be in my future. I do make pattern welded steel from time to time and I would like to give that a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windancer Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 John, you have outdone yourself with this Damascus and this knife! That pattern is a killer! Did you accordion the billet or just smush it? Very, very beautiful. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhartironwerks Posted August 27, 2014 Author Share Posted August 27, 2014 Steve, If you never want to make damascus knives, don't make the first one. It's a slippery slope. I said the same several years ago. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 Beautiful pattern, I really like the high contrast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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