some recent work

[NickWheeler]

Hey Guys-


I had a bit of a hiatus from finishing anything in my shop for about 3 years due to a combination of work, going back to school, and ADD. Fortunately I got all that under control and got back to a following through mode, and not just a "start something and throw it in the drawer" mode.

So without any further blabbing, here's some recent stuff I've finished.


This is a fighter bowie, forged down from 1-3/4" W2 roundstock, clay hardended and fully polished (with "my" modern methods), 416 stainless guard, copper and black micarta spacers, primo Ironwood handle.

Out of this world leather sheath by MASTER leather craftsman Paul Long.


Here it is dressed in Paul's amazing leather work


This was my big road-block... I started thinking it was never going to get finished on several occasions. W2 integral bowie/fighter. Forged down from the big roundstock, clay hardened and polished, fluted/cut integral bolster, stabilized Afzelia burl handle.... Paul Long leather.


In Paul's leather

[NickWheeler]

A random pattern damascus fighter... More Paul Long goodness

[HWooldridge]

WOW...I'm speechless. Outstanding work (pics are great also).. :D

[NickWheeler]

A huge bowie I put together for the American Bladesmith Society all forged blade Exposition in San Antonio, Texas.

11-1/2" blade forged down from 1-3/4" 52100 roundstock, 120ish layer twist damascus fittings, fluted/line cute spacer, Ironwood handle, domed 416 pin.

Thanks for looking folks!

[NickWheeler]

Thank you!!!

Jim Cooper, Chuck Ward, and Eric Eggly are fantastic photographers. I couldn't take a pic as good as these with a gun to my head. The cost of having these guys shoot your work really is worth it in the long run!!! :)

[HWooldridge]

I live just north of SA and went to that show to hear the Jim Batson presentation on Bowies.

[Rich Hale]

AS has been said..really fine work..and we know to expect that from someone with an abs rating. Your work is tops...The first knife you show with damascus is shown as a random...looks a bit like a ladder pattern? and did you make the billet or who did and wot is the makeup? I know I am nosy, but thanks for sharing

[NickWheeler]

Thanks Rich-

You're right... it has a bit of a ladder look to it because of how I forged it. I made some really tight radius drawing dies for my hydraulic press. When you draw the billet down with these dies, it pushes the layers around enough to leave a lasting effect on the final look. But it is just random and not an actual ladder.

Steel is 1084 and 15N20

Thanks for asking :)

[Don A]

That integral is outstanding.

I'm not one who is obsessed with all the hamon business, but the way the blade figure blends with the figure in the wood is incredible.

Beautiful indeed.

[NickWheeler]

Thanks guys

It's funny the relativity of things. Let me preface this by saying this is simply an observation and NOT A DEFENSIVE thing on my part: Don said he isn't obsessed with all the hamon business. I guess I am! LOL It's just very interesting how we all have our different likes and dislikes. I've spent many years trying to do it, and after all that you have some folks who love it, and some folks who want to know why you have a weird, squiggly line in the blade!

Like I said, just observing something. I came to grips with the fact that not every piece (or sometimes any) will make every person happy and that's part of what makes the world go round.

Sorry, I don't really know where that all came from... maybe my ADD meds are just making me introspective or some such bullshit

Thanks again folks :)

[Sask Mark]

Amazing pieces! Nice work Mr. Wheeler.