rhitee93 Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 I made this knife as a gift for a coach who has made a big difference in my daughter's life. The blade was going to be just 1095 and 15N20, but I ended up with a big flux inclusion when drawing out after the second round of welding. By the time I cut out the bad part, I was short on material. I drew what was left out to about 8”, cut it in half, and welded the pieces on either side of a piece of 1084 - san mai style. I was pretty diligent about keeping the hammer blows even on each side after this step, but the result is still a bit off center. The blade was quenched at 1500F in 140Fmcanola and then tempered at 400F for 2 hours. The guard is nickel silver, the handle is a piece of ash burl, and the pin is 316 stainless. This is my 3rd knife attempt, and the first time I have tried a knife with a proper ricasso and guard. I’m really new at this, so feel free to throw out some constructive criticism. I’m starting work on a sheath now. I’ve never done leather work before, so this should be an interesting experience. Thanks for looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero_sum Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 That is a strikingly beautiful knife. Really, well done. I am wondering now what good that coach must have done in your daughters life to deserve such a skilfully created gift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhitee93 Posted October 10, 2014 Author Share Posted October 10, 2014 Thanks for the nice words. The coach got her to believe in herself. That is a debt a father can never repay... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windancer Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Exceptional knife, coach, and father here! Good all round.Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhartironwerks Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Great answer rhitee. Enough said. Btw, that's a terrific knife. Flux is a contaminant, ie, possible inclusions. If you have a controlled forge, there is no need for flux when welding flat bars. Welding cable is a different monster. You can get a clean and better weld with out flux, and it's a simple process. Research fluxless damascus welding. If you are having problems after having tried it, just post a request. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero_sum Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Great answer rhitee. Enough said. Btw, that's a terrific knife. Flux is a contaminant, ie, possible inclusions. If you have a controlled forge, there is no need for flux when welding flat bars. Welding cable is a different monster. You can get a clean and better weld with out flux, and it's a simple process. Research fluxless damascus welding. If you are having problems after having tried it, just post a request. John <script type="text/javascript"> // I remember reading and then seeing a video of a guy who used kerosene. When it flash burned off in his gas forge it created a layer of carbon around the piece. Gives enough time to get welds with no oxygen making too much scale. I don't know too much about this stuff having never done it but he had good welds it seemed. Just interesting really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loneforge Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 Nice job for a twenty third let alone a third! Keep those coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitch4ging Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 Awsome job, great profile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhitee93 Posted October 14, 2014 Author Share Posted October 14, 2014 Thanks for all the compliments. I learned a lot, and will bring those lessons to bear on the next one. The flux issue was interesting. I am pretty aware of the flux-less welding that people have been doing. I had actually intended to try it that way, but seeing the scale form when I removed the stack from the forge and put it on the anvil caused me to chicken out. I'll get around to trying it that way soon. For the other novices out there, here is my encounter: I realized I had some sort of inclusion because there was this darker spot when the billet was otherwise up to temp. It almost looked like a bubble or bulge in the billet. I figured I had nothing to loose so I brought the hammer down on the spot with heavy blow, then a lot of molten flux splurted out the side. It created some cracks in doing so That I ultimately decided to cut away. Had I been a bit more careful in welding from the center out, I wouldn't have gotten the inclusion... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 Exceptional knife, coach, and father here! Good all round. Dave Couldn't have said it any better, Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loneforge Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 Rhitee if you see that shadow again when forging up a billet....before the unrelenting hammer blows try driiling a small hole in the center of the void. If it is a flux inclusion it may correct itself if it has a place to go.....Are you seeing what I'm saying here. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhitee93 Posted October 15, 2014 Author Share Posted October 15, 2014 Rhitee if you see that shadow again when forging up a billet....before the unrelenting hammer blows try driiling a small hole in the center of the void. If it is a flux inclusion it may correct itself if it has a place to go.....Are you seeing what I'm saying here. :) Well, that makes a lot of sense... Some could summarize me by the following: Intelligence - I have. Street smarts - Well,not so much. Common sense? Naw, I don't carry spare change... FWIW, here is snap-shot of the finished sheath: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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