basher Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 I am working on a great project. One that is quite a honour. I do not generally make comissions any more but could not turn this one down... The SEAL insignia is an Eagle holding a trident and a flintlock in front of an anchor. I am Making a Trident for US Navy SQT (SEAL Qualification Training) Class 312. It will be a Graduation Gift to NSWBTC (Navy Special Warfare Basic Training Command). US Navy SEALs tradition to give a graduation gift upon completing training required to become SEALs. So I am making a pattern welded Trident, not a fishing trident but a hero piece, Neptune's trident suitable for use against (big)sea monsters . I have taken my inspiration from the sea, using heavily laddered wavy material and of course pattern weld............I wanted the piece to be reminiscent of harpoons and anchors and wieldable by a by a (very) strong SEAL but not a trident for a mere mortal....... as forged the head is 14lb...... I have found this to be a very challenging piece and I am now on version 3, which ironicaly was my original idea (thanks Mick Maxen for putting me back on the right path towards simplicity). I tried to split the forks from an 8 bar patternweld, but alas it was not to be. and I have a monstrous billet of not wavy enough patternweld that will make some lovely (big)seax....... anyhow here is where I am at the present, the handle is to be wavy ash with a damascus spacer and buttcap.....The prong are wavy random lap welded onto a 3 bar patternweld and the core is the same with 4 bar and forge welded socket. hard to tell size from the pic but its big..... the tips are cod mouthed and forge welded shut... Its a very blacksmithy piece and lots of lap welds , this is the weld between the socket and middle prong... I will up date as I finish the piece... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwenK Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Outstanding! Really looking forward to seeing progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Really cool project, can't wait to see the finished product! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted March 1, 2016 Author Share Posted March 1, 2016 I have been polishing for a couple of days.....hard hard work on the arms. 24 120 240 400 grit almost there... getting there though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Awesome project. Will be watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forging Carver Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Cool project! Can't wait to see the finished piece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Ling Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 14 pounds! wow! Littleblacksmith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 What an honor Owen! You do us all proud. Thanks for the pics, I'll be watching for the rest. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzkill Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Cool stuff. Can't wait to see the finished product - and more WIP pics I have to ask about the attachment you're using for polishing though. Is the small belt around the 4 wheels to increase resistance for slack belt grinding, or is there another purpose I'm missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 see beaumont metals rotary slack belt attachment https://www.google.com/search?q=rotary+slack+belt+attachment&client=ubuntu&hs=sxV&channel=fs&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiXpY37raLLAhWDGx4KHX91BZ8QsAQIKQ&biw=1252&bih=536&dpr=1.09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzkill Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Thanks for the link, Steve. I'm still not 100% clear on the purpose of the smaller belt. Is it to prevent belt drift side to side when slack belt grinding or to provide a happy medium between a flat platen and a slack belt with no backing - or both? Regardless it looks like a very useful attachment that I need to look into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted March 2, 2016 Author Share Posted March 2, 2016 the timing belt acts as a more resistant concave backing , on this piece all the grind marks have to blend so all the faces of the trident are slightly convex.....the attachment is awesome, I have just bought a couple of grooved wheels off of US ebay to make the same thing for sharpening. you can hog and leave a convex edge , I highly recommend it. the forks are etched... Off to get wood tomorow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzkill Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Thanks for the explanation, basher. Awesome work on the trident. Loving it! Then again, based on your other work I've seen I'd expect nothing less than something darn near perfect - and it looks like you'll deliver again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Hope you have enjoyed making it as that's likely to generate requests for more of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted March 3, 2016 Author Share Posted March 3, 2016 I am not sure anyone would be able to afford my "I've done this before and know what it entails" price....I have enjoyed making it but it has been challenging..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted March 3, 2016 Author Share Posted March 3, 2016 I am working on the trident end cap, a rolled socket to have at the foot of the trident, high layer damascus. Rolled and forge welded:- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted March 8, 2016 Author Share Posted March 8, 2016 ts getting there:- just some leather round the central "connecting tube" and some pro photos...... ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Extraordinary work Owen. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 That looks amazing right down to the joinery. Did you use Damascus for your rivets as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forging Carver Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 That's really good work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted March 9, 2016 Author Share Posted March 9, 2016 well it is finished . here are a couple of macro photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 "Dinner Fork; by Basher" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Basher, you weren't kidding about the size of this. I didn't realize how big it was until now. Very awesome work! It is beautiful as well as huge. I think some whale harpoons are smaller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 It'd be even more impressive if Owen weren't one of the Wee Folk. Seriously a heroic piece Owen, Poseidon would feel right at home with it. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 while I love the fork, I have to mention the details you put into that shaft is a great touch as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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