They are exactly what they look like. I peened the spine and accentuated the divets with a vinegar etching. It was done deliberately to give the knife more character. its what i envisioned in its final appearance. I know some might not like the look, but i like it.
thanks guys. im trying to refine my forging technique and push myself into new areas on every knife i make. yes, this is the first bowie ive made..lol.
I just completed this bowie for the new year. forged from 5160 and edge hardened. the handle is brazilian cherry. i made the sheathe with some new tools my wife gave me for christmas.
Maybe a water jet can cut the shape you want? Or an eight inch grinder with several metal grinding discs. I've seen a couple of guys attach a piece of tool steel. But if your just going to hammer hot steel on it, I don't think hard facing it will be necessary.
ive seen a video where a guy built an attachment for his tow hitch on the back of his truck. He would heat the face of his anvil with a makeshift coal forge with a leaf blower attachment. then they would mount the anvil on the truck and drive the truck in reverse and lower the anvil on the attachment into a pond.
http://youtu.be/b5noM1NnXeE
i saw some guy on youtube using one as an anvil to make a knife. i guess there are a thousand objects out there that can be used as an anvil. if it works, what the heck. use it. try scrap yards, they usually have segments of rail tracks for sale.
I've done a couple of elk horn handles. I sanded with a fine grit, then applied a couple of coats of minwax paste wax. Let the wax harden and buff to polish, and sand with 1000 grit paper. It stays smooth and the wax seals the surface.