January 9, 20233 yr On 1/6/2023 at 1:15 PM, Simian said: (I assumed the chrome in the 52100 would resist etch?) I don't think there's enough chromium in 52100 to have this effect. I believe it's around 1.5% chromium, which would pretty much all end up as carbides in the steel I think. I use 80CrV2 a bit. It's lower in chromium than 52100, but it takes a nice dark etch. 5160 is another alloy that includes chromium but etches darkly. The alloys that contain nickel tend to be the "bright" steel when etching pattern-welded steel. I think you'd have to be near the point where there was enough chromium content in the steel to approach stainless classification before you'd see etch resistance.
January 11, 20233 yr Interesting stuff, thanks Buzzkill As it turns out a batch of 52100 bearings have arrived, so I can go ahead and prove you right!!
January 28, 20233 yr I took a class last weekend with Nick Anderson of Nanda Knives at Jim Austin's fabulous shop in Oakland. It's been years since I made a knife and this class was about as much fun as you can have with your boots on. I took 12 pages of notes! I was particularly keen on this class because culinary knives are something I've struggled with in the past. 1084 around 6.5"at the cutting edge. Handle is curly koa with board butter finish. As that wears off I'm planning to try out Hassui ceramic finish (also known as liquid glass). You can bet I'll be making some more.
January 31, 20233 yr Gavin, that's a great looking knife. I plan on making one in the future and I hope it comes out half as nice as yours. I finished my first knife yesterday. Started with a piece of 5/8 coil spring, all hand forged and hand filed to finish. It was a fun project, and a learning experience, but I don't think I will be doing another one before I get a belt grinder.
February 3, 20233 yr I'm recovering from carpal tunnel and trigger thumb release surgery on my right hand so I haven't done much in the shop, but just before the surgery I gave up on improving the knife I made for my grand daughter. I'm not entirely happy with it. Instead of casting silver guard and bolster, I brazed on brass and copper respectively. Then I tinned it all with silver solder. Then, realizing she probably wouldn't want to polish it every week or so, I gave everything but the blade a few coats of UV resistant epoxy. I wish I hadn't buried the heart scrolls on the pommel in silver solder but once I got to tinning it was hard to stop. Like many knives, I think the goal is to be so menacing that it will never have to be used. That is my hope anyway. But if needed it WILL CUT!
February 4, 20233 yr PB, that's a mean looking knife, if she has to pull it she'll probably not find out if it cuts because just seeing it will scare them off. Wishing you a speedy recovery and hope to see you at the next meeting
February 4, 20233 yr My latest, chainsaws bar stock removal with a hand carved maple (maybe) handle. Wrought iron bolster and pommel.
February 6, 20233 yr Full tang bushcraft blade, ball bearing canister damascus (6mm 52100 bearings & 1095 powder), curly oak handle, 8mm flared stainless tube pins. 3.5" blade, 8.0" overall. Weight; 137g. Super happy with this, the even and sharp bevels in particular. No hydraulic press, no power hammer.
February 7, 20233 yr 4 hours ago, Simian said: Super happy with this, . That is understandable!....it is a long way from welding a canister to finishing a complete great looking knife! Very well done!
February 7, 20233 yr Curly oak with that pattern steel look great, feels very organic and every aspect looks intentional and well thought out.
February 11, 20233 yr I like the tubing rivets as well. I'm going to have to try that on my next knife.
March 21, 20233 yr Two more, leather and beech wood handles, from a knot on a tree. The longer handle has piece of antler. Blades from a coil spring.
April 10, 20233 yr cant remember if I posted this one or not, 1084/L6 serpentine 3.25 inch blade cutting edge of WI/1095 box elder burl handle 7.75 inch over all
May 1, 20233 yr Haven't posted for a while. Went back to school to learn some audio engineering. Louisiana waives tuition for us old guys. Then I traded in my Yamaha Super Tenere (which must have gained some weight some how as I used to be able to pick it up by myself) for a BMW R Nine T and had to build a luggage rack/sissy bar and get used to riding it. However, I have more nephews to supply with blades. This chopper is feather cable Damascus with a pure nickel accent stripe in the middle. The handle is Osage Orange root, vacuum stabilized with UV resistant epoxy with a final coat of tung oil. I'm hoping to get one more done before I go in for ankle fusion surgery in a week and a half.
May 2, 20233 yr This is my latest blade. It is my first Japanese kitchen knife with a wa style handle. The blade is forged from a recycled saw blade (8670) and the handle is buckeye burl and triple dyed oak. Both are stabilized.
May 3, 20233 yr Certainly is a good looking knife. Should be a pleasure to use it in the kitchen. I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sails. ~ Semper Paratus
May 3, 20233 yr Thank you, Irondragon. The blade edge ended up being a little thicker than I wanted. I am nervous grinding a thin edge post H.T. It still is sharp but not as refined as I would like.
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