Zachary Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 I was trying for a feather pattern but it didn’t quite work out like I was hoping. The handle is zebra wood and a homemade sheath. Steel is 15N20 and 1084. I’m pretty happy with it although there’s plenty of room for improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 Ooh, NICE pattern I LIKE it! So call it a "ruffled feather" pattern and tell folk how long it took to perfect. Remember, BlackSmith and Bull Shooter are abbreviated exactly the same way for good reason. Frosty The Lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zachary Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 Thanks Frosty I'll have to remember that!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPH Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 Hello: Well I for one don't see a problem with the pattern at all...but then again..what do I know anyway?? I am just and old man working in his front yard...I don't see any bad welds or inclusions so...you done a really decent job on the steel.. FAB JPH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zachary Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share Posted January 7, 2019 JPH thank you sir. The only problem is it didn't turn out like expected but then I kinda expected that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhitee93 Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 I'd call that a win. What did you use to make the center cut? The only nit-pick I'd throw out is that the handle doesn't quite live up to the steel. Great looking piece of work none the less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John in Oly, WA Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Very nice pattern. I like the "ruffled feather" effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 15 hours ago, Zachary said: The only problem is it didn't turn out like expected but then I kinda expected that! Then it DID turn out as expected! Frosty The Lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zachary Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 I used a handled hot cut to cut. That’s the only wood I have that was big enough to do the handle. I’m trying to find some more nicer wood. Frosty I try to manage my expectations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FivePointsForge Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Very nice work. I absolutely think the feather pattern turned out wonderfully, but I can certainly relate to that feeling when something doesn’t necessarily match the picture that was in your head beforehand. I think the zebrawood is fantastic. I used to use it occasionally when building fretboards for electric basses and guitars. There’s a bit of a glare on the handle in most of the pics which detracts from what I’m sure is a much deeper and bolder grain display and contrast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 On 1/7/2019 at 5:45 PM, Zachary said: That’s the only wood I have that was big enough to do the handle. I’m trying to find some more nicer wood. I hope this is an OK post, if not, Glenn, Steve, I apologize and feel free to remove. I'm just trying to help out a fellow knife maker. Zachary, if you really can't find any acceptable handle material, I'd suggest checking out https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/for-sale-knifemaking-supplies-tools.765/ And no, I'm not merely trying to drum up business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eutrophicated1 Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 On 1/7/2019 at 2:30 PM, rhitee93 said: I'd call that a win. What did you use to make the center cut? The only nit-pick I'd throw out is that the handle doesn't quite live up to the steel. Great looking piece of work none the less. I believe the handle perfectly compliments the blade, doesn't overshadow or detract. Very nice work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cincinnatus Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 Great pattern on that blade - really like that ruffled effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 I, too, like the look of that pattern. In trying to figure out how you did that, I'm wondering how you cut and stacked the layers before splitting. It looks to me like you stacked them with the layers lined up longitudinally with the blade instead of perpendicular to the blade, which is how the standard feather pattern is done. as always peace and love billyO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zachary Posted January 27, 2019 Author Share Posted January 27, 2019 I split them like your standard picture. I'm not sure that I had everything standard before that though! That's pry why the pattern turned out that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillinomics Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 Very nice, and that's why we're craftspeople first with some scientist secondary, we're allowed to let things go unexpectedly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 I'm still trying to figure out how that happened, so my other thought is... Did you forge this by hand? My guess is yes, and if you've noticed, while drawing out a billet, because of loss of material due to scale top view the bar ends up looking something like this: So when stacking for the chisel cut, you wouldn't get the exact alignment I showed in the 'standard' above, which could cause what you ended up with. When using power, there is less loss of material, so it's easier to keep the layers aligned like the 'standard' pattern. I'd appreciate some input from those smiths who have been doing this longer than I have. as always peace and love billyO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zachary Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 I used a press and a power hammer. I think what happened is I forged the bar on edge a little to keep it from getting to wide and in so doing rolled the edges over to look like your picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Hmmm...I don't use a press, but do use a #250 chambersburg with big flat dyes and haven't had that happen on the 3 billets I've made yet.... sigh - I guess I have to keep trying.. as always peace and love billyO PS- whereabouts in norther IN are you? I'm from the Chicago area and thinking about moving back to somewhere on the south side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 then why does your tag say Washington ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zachary Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 I’m in north central Indiana. About 20 minutes south of the toll road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 Steve - I grew up in the Chicago area, have lived in Washington for 25 years, and am thinking about moving back to the South Side, like I said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxwellB Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 Billy, don't do it! At least not this week! -20ish tomorrow. -15ish Thursday. Won't see "normal" winter weather until February. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zachary Posted January 30, 2019 Author Share Posted January 30, 2019 Sadly Billy I’m not sure I could duplicate the pattern either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 I hear ya, Maxwell. My brother is expecting -40 in Minnesota.... But to be honest, I'm more concerned about the 95 deg summers with 90% humidity that cools down to 90 deg with 90% humidity at night. You can always put more clothes on, but only take so much off. Stay warm and safe. As always peace and love billyO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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