LDW

Read this article by MS Ed Caffrey on heat treating 5160. Because the tip is thinner than the area by the ricasso you put the tip in first then rotate it to the back of the blade. JS article

I think I had the same thing done a couple years ago. Not sure which two vertebrae it was, mine was done by going in through the neck. I had instant relief and enjoyed my three day vacation. Makes you feel like a new man. That was the only time I had ever been cut on purpose. Good luck.

Thanks for the kind words. After putting in the lines and veins you can turn it upside down and place on a board while hot and hit the back with a ball pein hammer. I do this on the treadle hammer. I have now made a curved chisel to do the lines down the sides and it looks much better. In the Gallery under events or meetings I posted pictures of Ernie Dorrill doing the demo on these leaves (with Glenns help). They are in the July 08 MS Forge Council meeting.

I make leaves like these as key chains and make them from 1/2" square stock. I do not use tongs, till drawing out the stem. If you clamp the end of the leaf in the tongs with a tong clip you never have to turn it loose. the stem portion that is left will heat up very quickly.

When I weld cable I just stick the tip in the fire and get it red then flux it with 20 mule team borax. Heat it till it is orange and tighten the end on the step of the anvil (this way each blow is hitting on three sides). Once you have removed the air space re-heat but this time heat it till it is the same color as the hottest part of the fire, if you get a few sparks wait till they stop flying then forge the tip solid. Once it is welded stick the tip in the vice twist to open the cable re-flux, tighten back up, and repeat till you get enough cable to work with. Remember to tighten first at an orange heat to get the airspace out then heat to yellow and weld. That is exactly how this knife was made.

I have seen them made by bending the tip down at a sharp 90 degree then forging out the blade. I think I can find a picture of one someone made. Personally I have always done as Jerry said.

Looking forward to it Jon, always interested in learning new ways to decorate something, (especially a knife handle). Lorolei used the board we have so I know we have some new markers now. Where do you get the silver wire? Does it come flat, or do you have to do that. Thanks for jumping in there to demonstrate, we will be looking forward to it. This will be a great demo for the hottest month of the year. Lyle

Here is my second attempt at duplicating the process Ernie demonstrated at the July meeting. Another one of Otto Schmirler's leaves.