windancer

I really admire how badly you want tools, and the amount of effort you are putting into them. I am also certain that you will enjoy using them to the utmost :) Another good job! Dave

I have seen many, many knives with the wrap, I think mostly frontier style Bowies. Don't know if it is the same process or not. I will watch the latest movies posted but I don't think I want to hammer the copper into shape against any of my blades :) Anyway, thanks for the leads. Next time I see one I will SAVE the link and a pic or two. Dave

Thanks for the link! She was going too fast for my old etes to follow, though :) Dave

Anyone know of a tutorial about wrapping a blade with copper just above the guard? Thanks, Dave

Rich, I just added a 'Past Knives' page to my website. The first pic on that page is one of the 4 knives I made using Harley Motorcycle Chain Damascus, following the procedure I posted. The only difference was that this was made before I started using Stainless tubing. There was enough steel for two more knives but it welded to the Damascus so badly I could not use it. Almost all of the pictures on my old site were lost when the site was hacked, just before my hard drive burned itself up. I have sold over 400 knives in the past 15 years. I am older and retired now and I seem to be enjoying blacksmithing more than making knives. I did just finish up several knife billets made with steel items I had in the shop [farrier's rasps, some blocks of 4140, pieces of old hammers and saw blades, etc]. Those knives will be for sale on my site as I finish them up. Working on a larger Bowie right now that is already sold- will probably make two. Dave

Thanks, Jim! Dave

'Can' or 'tube' or 'container' Damascus just refers to the process itself: Start with a container that will hold the material [stainless works best because tool steel will not weld itself to the container] you want to weld Assemble the contents in whatever shape you want weld one open end of the container closed so it is airtight Slip your material into the tube [you can also weld your material to the end piece before welding the end piece in place] slip a piece of paper into the tube FILL THE REMAINING SPACE IN THE TUBE WITH POWDERED METAL Keep shaking and banging the tube as you fill it- voids left in the tube can make a huge mess of your results Weld the open end in place leaving a tiny hole Heat the container until you see smoke coming from the hole As soon as you see the smoke STOP coming out, weld the tiny hole closed Stick her in the forge and leave it there until the entire billet is the same color as the forge completely through the center Go ahead and work your billet down keeping it as square as you are able When you are certain it is completely welded, let it cool and cut the stainless container off the finished billet This is the same for whatever purpose you have for the finished Damascus There are probably as many steps that follow as there are blacksmiths. a pretty inventive lot :) Other folks may do it differently than I. The bottom line is to find what works in your shop for you with your equipment. Some of the patterns are used for mosaic Damascus that can end up with a repeating pattern down the center of a knife blade. The first one I ever was was a knife with repeating tiny American flags running down the entire blade. My favorite is still the Rainbow trout rising ti a dry fly. Hope this helps- Dave

I love this piece! Any chance of a few more pics, and larger photos? Dave

Nice piece! I enjoy making things I design more that making something to someone else's design. I like it :) Dave

You did good. Easily serviceable fry pan. I like it! Dave

Good onya! Your work fits very well with the rest of the cart. They need to put some finish on that wood before it is beyond repair. Couple coats of stain and some oil would make a world of difference. Selling something is still a treat for me after 15 years. The ultimate compliment- a checkbook gotten into play! Dave

These whatzit posts are some of my favorites on the forum. I've never made a useful guess and this time I just gonna skip it :) Dave

TJ, how are you getting such smooth compound curves on the edges? Been trying to make a hand die tool to forge them but the two curves at once in my hangup:) Dave

Good work and great for sharing with your buddy and us :) Dave

Geoff, now I am R E A L L Y wanting to see your shop! Seems like as I do more types of things in the shop I need to redo the layout. Think I am on Version8, rev3 over the past 10 years :) I like the 'clump' working areas that concentrate tools instead of all the free standing stuff. You did a great job with your layout, looks very workable. Just cut my welding table in half to make room for an induction forge. Seems like it never ends... Great work! What kind of classes are you offering? Dave

SWEET!!! Dave

Good job on the forge weld! Get your forge going and post more pics as you progress :) Dave

You do nice work! Amazed at all the things folks think up to make with RR Spikes. I like yours! Dave

Very graceful shape- looks like a good daily carry. Good job! Dave

Welcome, Natkova! I like your ax and also the pattern that you sort-of-followed. Don't worry about your English, we understood you just fine. I have never seen an ax with a claw or the shaped hole in the blade that could be used to pull nails. Good ideas, both. We LOVE pics here :) Dave

Making tools is one of my favorite shop chores! Looks like you were busy AND productive :) Dave

Sharing is exactly why I started this post. I had never seen or heard of anyone spraying a new stack with WD40 and I wondered if anyone had used this or heard about someone using it. Sorry you see a contradiction in the two thoughts, can't help you with that :) Dave

Nice design style. I never thought about doing the leaves that way. Lot's of little touches that make it your own. Your friend will love it! Dave

Bet you can hardly wait! That's a long time waiting for a tool to be in service :) You will like it a LOT! Dave

Good variety. Love the flat twist! Dave