markb

Jake, I understand now, but the magnitude is unimaginable. Kinda like a colossal log jam, every spring. After months of darkness and cold, now hours of light and life, like the world woke up? Very extreme, dramatic place. Hard to imagine. Hope things are OK Mark

Just wondering, is the ice flow-breakup noisy. Trying to imagine this, seems so big and quite, then could be raging rapids with ice? or rising spreading engulfing, looks like wide valley in pics. Regardless, I wish you well and hope this passes without ill effects.

Rich, It's those gaps, scratches, and pits that really drag the quality down but seem amazingly hard to eliminate. Your tip will help clean things up. Thanks for taking a look. Mike Hope we can get together this summer. I've really been enjoying the time off, lots of time in the shop. Your granddad probably went through the depression, and I think about those folks alot. They made it, so can we. Hey Steve, maybe I could do electric knives LOL. that roll of rope was sit'n on the floor beggin' to be used.

Thanks Looks like madrone burl from the woodcraft site.

Garage sales are starting so today I got a LOT of knife handles, The burl is?- madrne, myrtle wood, the base is very heavy, Iron wood? Nice hose reel, gauge and 6#'er Found the Mother of pearl last week. Any ideas on the wood, ways to ID? Thanks Mark

I like your style.

Thanks for all your compliments, much appreciated, it inspires me to do more. New Guy, blacksmithing, knife-making has been an interest for 30 yrs. but I'm "beginner" still. I forged a bunch of spike knives but no heat treat or handles, a bunch of unfinished stuff, this is the first completed one. Dodge, I didn't see the knotical side ,but it is on a coil of "rope";) Kevin, I quenched in ATF at 140 degrees, and those scratches, gaps and pits drive me crazy. I was hoping for perfection but got realistic and finished it. I'm inspired to do more and learned alot. I've been watching your builds and am amazed at your speedy progress.

It's taken me along time. Tell me what you think. Lots of mistakes, some obvious, others not so much. I started this with 1084, and it was going to be a double edged dagger w/ full tang. Started following the steel, big mistake, lots of extra work. Decided to pattern after a pic of a Scagle repo. Things started to go much better. Thanks Rich Hale, you sugjested having a pattern and following it. Mostly all files and sanding on the blade, flat grind (draw file) tempered 2 times @ 400 F. 1hr. each. 41/2" blade 5" handle of hickory(axe handle) tapped a piece of 1/4" brass rod to 8-32 for butt. Tell me what you think. I need all the help I can get.

It's NOT boring. Nice job, it's got a beauty in it's exaggeration.

Try PG&E again. I lived in Ca., (Mariposa) and as an electrical contractor did a lot of this. Ask that they come to your site for an estimate. Beforehand call 1 or more electrical contractors and tell them what your plans are and ask about procedure. People love to hate electricians but they are not all bad, look for a helpful one. Sometimes the utility is reluctant to provide new service because they think maybe you aren't going to use very much power. Used to be you could get a seperate "well service" or shop service no charge, also min. distance has changed, in general they are charging more for less. I contract in Oregun now and things are the same here.

Heres pics of my best example of old branding iron. I have a couple more done the same way but no twist and much simpler design.

I've been hand sanding a knife and have concerns also, using a no name brand that I got at a local tool store. I've read at other knife forums that grits from different brands vary so stick with one brand. 3M wet dry seems to be a popular choice, I'm going to try it and compare.

Red....................

Mission accomplished, congratulations. I have a 25# LG that I found years ago, needs a rebuild, broken arms that were brazed back together! Can't believe they ran it that way. Yours looks great- plug and play. You are going to do something with that electrical set up. Reaching up to turn on-off looks a little scary. You did good and the adventure has just begun. Mark

Smith, under a hot tin roof

no one wants to read these days, I think they are waiting for the movie...

Elvira!!!!!

Hi Mike Have you repaired or made the new part? just courious as to what you're into, Pics?

..............."daddy's little fatty"

Nice hammer , you guys are brave.

Micarta is an electrical product.

Siegfried and Roy