Here's a quick sgain dubh I did today, the blade isn't by far my best work, but this was just playing around with things I wouldn't mind losing and it wasn't an exercise in blade work but rather some quick casting. It's been a long time since I've done this, but I found a 16lb ingot of pewter (Lead free, iirc, just Tin, Antimony and Copper) under my work bench when doing some needed cleaning. I ran to the local foundry supply store and bought some sampling ladles because they only carry large crucibles but sampling ladles work well for this application. I cut an oz or so off and threw the whole ladle in my heat treat oven for the melt at 765F. Made a simple mold directly on my handle from some scrap cardboard and a little masking tape and poured. Here's the finished piece. The blade is an old damascus piece I also found under my work bench that I probably forged 4 or more years ago, so I figured if I hadn't missed it in all this time I wouldn't mind if I screwed it up. Here's the finished results. I had forgotten how much I liked this method. No epoxy, no fiber spacers, no soldering, nice clean lines and a solid fit. I'm currently refining the process a bit and this will probably be the subject of my next video that I plan on shooting sometime next week, so I guess this is a preview.

-J

Very nice lines and finish. It almost looks like an integral. I have been wanting to try my hand at pewter casting for guards or pommels, but had given no thought to casting directly on to the knife.

Very nice lines and finish. It almost looks like an integral. I have been wanting to try my hand at pewter casting for guards or pommels, but had given no thought to casting directly on to the knife.

Another quick shot of a piece I roughed out yesterday..

J

I've seen something like this only twice before and thought about trying it but never found a local pewter supply. I almost got some old pewter at a thrift store then thought about the lead and changed my mind.

Good point about the lead, I was thinking about getting some from a local flea market, might have to reconsider..

A video would certainly be welcomed - I've wanted to cast some pewter into a muzzleloader cap but never worked up the nerve to try it.

I've always bought my tin from rotometals by the ingot; they carry a lot of non-ferrous alloys (like 10 different Babbit alloys + damming stuff...)

If you are worried about content buying from a reputable source may be worth it.  I thought their prices were quite reasonable.

Thanks for that pointer, Thomas. I was there for no time when I learn there's more than one lead free pewter alloy. For some reason that surprised me lol.

Lead free solder is basically the same chemistry as some Pewters. Just Tin And Antimony.

and a lot more expensive by the pound, lol. the stuff I'm using is lead free and comes in a 6lb ingot.

J

Brittania metal at thrift store is sometimes labelled as such. Fun stuff. Due to low casting temps, you can also cast directly into the wood for inlays if you make a keyway to hold it in.  Of course, brittania metals seems to take a lot longer to get that lovely grey patina. P.S. Antimony ain't especially good for ya either.