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Christmas Presents for my Gals

Sit back and talk with friends. Same rules as before. Rule #1-Relax with friends on the front or back porch.
Rule #2-No Politics, religion or anything above a G level.
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BrokenolMarine
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Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by BrokenolMarine » Fri Dec 16, 2022 10:08 pm

Miss T saw the knives I made for the Doc in VA and loved them. As a surprise for her for Christmas, I made her a couple. The first, and primary, is a big surprise. It is a small daily use knife, with Mammoth Ivory Scales and mosaic pins. The brass bolsters were cut from brass barstock and hand shaped on the belt sander and with strips of sandpaper. Turned out better than I had hoped. The sheath protects the knife and is flat and can be worn on the waistband of shorts or sweatpants by means of a pocket clip. NO belt needed, which is a good thing as the boss rarely wears one. :) I made the sheath from distressed 8 ounce leather absent of fancy tooling other than my makers mark, but did hand stitch it with a double row of heavy waxed linen thread to insure it would last. It's a working sheath rather than a fancy dress/decorative sheath.

See both in the pic below:

21 sheath and ivory done.jpg
21 sheath and ivory done.jpg (494.96 KiB) Viewed 1162 times

In this second pic, you can see how her knife fits. She hasn't seen it yet, nor did she see any of the in progress pics.

22 knife fits.jpg
22 knife fits.jpg (499.96 KiB) Viewed 1162 times

I made her a second, larger working knife, and if she wants a sheath, I'll make one, but this would be too large for use without a belt. I made it more because she liked the bone handled knives I made and she commented on the horn we saw in the bins in the Jantz Knife Supply. This is Ox Horn. My only criticism was that the pattern on the horn is very thin and during shaping of the scales a lot of the color was lost. You learn as you go... lesson learned.

10 ox done.jpg
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My daughter called and wanted me to knock her out a fillet knife as she has been helping her butcher process deer in exchange for venison. She can't eat many things these days because of allergies. No beef, chicken, pork, etc. She can eat fresh venison that has NOT been seasoned, same with elk and bison. So, I picked up a fillet blade blank and in order to build a WORKING knife that would be impervious to the blood and constant cleaning she would give it in all that use, I used remnant sections from a cutting board I had used in another project to make HER scales. Water proof and resistant to damage. I thought I had saved a decent picture of the completed knife, but the best I could find was the "forming" picture of the scales. I spent a bit more time shaping and smoothing, moving up a couple more grits and finalizing the shape, but you'll get the idea.

03 shaped.jpg
03 shaped.jpg (1.52 MiB) Viewed 1161 times

I made a "sheath like" blade cover for transport, but forgot to take a picture. When she opens it this Christmas, I'll get better pictures of the knife and the mock sheath.

With all three, as always, I learned a lot. I will do better the next time as I move along with this discipline.
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.

I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.

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cooperhawk
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by cooperhawk » Sat Dec 17, 2022 8:23 am

I have a very similar knife that I purchased back in the seventies. I was visiting an old friend in Colorado and
his neighbor was a Guild Knife Maker named T J Yancy. It's a long story but he took a liking to me and wanted
to sell me a custom knife. I told him I was in the middle of a nasty divorce and couldn't pay his price, but he
laid a price on me that I just couldn't refuse. I ended up with two of his knives.
Yancy passed away a long time ago and I guess his knives are now collectable.
That particular knife was designed for Elk hunting and was sturdy enough to split the pelvis bone of an elk.
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BrokenolMarine
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by BrokenolMarine » Sat Dec 17, 2022 11:17 am

The ivory scaled knife is about 5-1/2 inches overall. Very light. The Ox Horn knife is about 7-1/2 inches overall and has some weight to it. :P In the picture below you can see the G10 liners have been roughed out and added to the blank for the ivory knife and the Ox Horn scales are laying beside the blank for the larger knife.

01 layout.jpg
01 layout.jpg (393.96 KiB) Viewed 1141 times

Later in the process, both blanks have begun to take shape.

05 one side roughed out.jpg
05 one side roughed out.jpg (451.46 KiB) Viewed 1141 times

For a side by side comparison of size, this pic gives you a feel... they are completed, sort of. More finish work and polishing took place.

07 completed pair.jpg
07 completed pair.jpg (482.24 KiB) Viewed 1141 times

Like MOST hobbies, the process is a mixture of patience, frustration, and wonder at the finished product. :lol:
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.

I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.

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bikeridertim
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by bikeridertim » Sat Dec 17, 2022 1:15 pm

:) Those are SWEET!

Ozarkwoodswalker
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by Ozarkwoodswalker » Sat Dec 17, 2022 2:29 pm

Beautiful!!

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daytime dave
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by daytime dave » Sat Dec 17, 2022 9:15 pm

Awesome work Marine!
Some days I'm Andy, most days I'm Barney........
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BrokenolMarine
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by BrokenolMarine » Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:44 pm

Thanks everyone. I have another project to start, several in fact. I just have to decide which one is next. A knife for myself, a pair of leather rifle slings for Miss T and I... A few knives just for the fun of it.... maybe to sell later, or give as gifts later... and I still have that Gunbelt for the Uberti on the drawing board.
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.

I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.

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markiver54
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by markiver54 » Sun Dec 18, 2022 8:37 am

Beautiful knives. Well done, as usual. 👍
I'm your Huckleberry

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Hatchdog
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by Hatchdog » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:44 am

The pattern in the Ox horn is wonderful.

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BrokenolMarine
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by BrokenolMarine » Sun Dec 18, 2022 11:03 am

Hatchdog wrote:
Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:44 am
The pattern in the Ox horn is wonderful.
I was just disappointed that it didn't continue thru the horn. It was lost when I started shaping the scales and rounding the edges. ;)
But, that's how you learn. I have a buffalo horn scale and I'll use it later, and see if the same thing happens.

buff horn.jpg
buff horn.jpg (665.46 KiB) Viewed 1100 times

I have to decide which knife blank to use it on and if I want to combine it with a cocobolo or some other wood for a nice contrast, or just make another full bone scale. Once I start shaping THIS one I'll find out if the accents leave like the Ox Horn or they go all the way thru.
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.

I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.

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JEBar
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by JEBar » Sun Dec 18, 2022 11:06 am

very nice indeed .... they should offer several lifetimes of good service

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cooperhawk
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by cooperhawk » Sun Dec 18, 2022 1:13 pm

When I mentioned T J Yancy the knife maker and friend it was meant as a compliment to you. His work is renowned
and selling for good money. I compared what you're doing, to what he did. I believe TJ passed away from a
heart attack, but I had lost track by then. When I knew him he was in Estes Park, Co.
Here are the knives I got from him. Your work is quite similar.
T J Yancy Knives.JPG
T J Yancy Knives.JPG (111.95 KiB) Viewed 693 times
https://www.arizonacustomknives.com/kni ... /yancey-tj

Note that the shorter one he engraved my initials ruining any collector value, but also note the serial number.
It's No 1. It was his prototype.
The larger knife he called his boot knife. It was meant to fit inside your boot. He quit making that knife when
he learned that they had become popular with gangs and had indeed been used in a murder.
It is sharpened both top and bottom.
I'm sure there is collector value on that one.
TJ's wife Ann was a notable scrimshaw artist. While I was visiting there one day she got all excited. Burt Reynolds had
called her and ordered a knife and bolo.
Retired FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor
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BrokenolMarine
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by BrokenolMarine » Sun Dec 18, 2022 3:53 pm

Coop,

I WAS flattered, but forgot to click the like button. My memory often lets me down these days. I am still learning as I go, having not had the opportunity to learn in person or apprentice with a true knifemaker, but to only watch the you tube vids and gain what I could from them. Mostly trial and error.

In my woodworking, I was lucky enough early on to be taught the basics by my stepfather who was both very gifted, and anal in his work. You did things the right way every time. You put the tools away clean, every time. He didn't as much, just demanded perfection in the job of himself and others. ;)

In shooting, AFTER the Corps, I was taught by a former Marine and former Police Rangemaster / Police Sergeant who was Distinguished with just about anything that shot in most NRA disciplines. I never reached his level, but was amazed at how fast I improved. I left the Corps thinking I knew how to shoot, as I shot expert with the rifle and pistol throughout my career and shot on rifle and pistol teams and coached my fellow Marines. I learned that I just thought I knew how to shoot. :o

The Gunny taught me a LOT over the years in PPC, and more than just shooting. Though retired, he was my "Rabbi" in LE as well. If I had a question in the intricacies of the way things actually worked over the years, HE was just a phone call away. Plus, he still knew everybody. As a Department Firearms Instructor I was always running into someone who knew the "Gunny."
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.

I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.

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BrokenolMarine
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by BrokenolMarine » Mon Dec 19, 2022 12:14 am

Just so's y'all know... I'm starting on the next project.
It's another Shawnee Knife
This one, for me. It's going to be a challenge to make it as nice as the Doc's but I'm going with Walnut. Brass Bolster again, but maybe some accent?

01 getting started.jpg
01 getting started.jpg (483.98 KiB) Viewed 687 times

So far I have just polished the edges of the brass and chosen the wood for the scales. I am still fiddling with layout, thinking about maybe some horn for an accent strip between the walnut and brass. Maybe ebony or ivory. Don't know yet. Or, at the very end, an inlay in the right panel. Who knows.

I like a challenge. I have decided I'll do a pancake sheath.
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.

I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.

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BrokenolMarine
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by BrokenolMarine » Mon Dec 19, 2022 11:32 pm

I prepped the rough Bolster, then taped off the blade blank, and epoxied and pinned it and let it sit in the clamps for about six hours. Then I shaped it and buffed it to 600 grit to give it a bit of polish before I started on the scales.

I used the painters tape to identify the area for the epoxy application:

02 taped off for bolster.jpg
02 taped off for bolster.jpg (490.17 KiB) Viewed 679 times

Carefully applied the epoxy, then the rough bolster blanks seen in the pic #1 above. The front edge was polished to 600 grit before starting to avoid marring the blade later.

03 bolster pinned and epoxied.jpg
03 bolster pinned and epoxied.jpg (531.06 KiB) Viewed 679 times

The next step was to carefully shape the curves of the rough bolster to match the blade blank. Sand and shape, then check. Sand and shape, then check.... repeat until:

04 curves shaped.jpg
04 curves shaped.jpg (207.09 KiB) Viewed 679 times

The sharp edges of the bolster will be rolled and polished to a high gloss in the last phases of the shaping of the scales. For now, the bolster is polished to 600 grit. I'll take it to 1,000 later in the process.

06 polished to 600 grit.jpg
06 polished to 600 grit.jpg (486.38 KiB) Viewed 679 times
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.

I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.

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BrokenolMarine
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by BrokenolMarine » Mon Dec 19, 2022 11:38 pm

After careful inspection I rejected the walnut blank I had planned for the scales, and selected instead a curly cherry blank. I marked and cut that, and did some test sanding and fitting, but nope, didn't get it.

05 curley cherry marked.jpg
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I went thru two drawers of small wood stock to find a piece that caught my attention. Nope. Nothing spoke to me. Then, 8-) I remembered the spalted maple I had run thru my band saw mill before leaving Virginia. A silver maple we planted when we first bought that farmhouse, had become infested with bugs and spalted. We had to cut 'er down. This would make the knife a memory of the former place. I chose a highly figured piece and marked the two scales.

This should be good. The only downside. I think Miss T will steal my knife. :lol:

07 spalted maple options cut.jpg
07 spalted maple options cut.jpg (483.86 KiB) Viewed 679 times

I bookmatched the pairs so I ended up with two sets. I like the upper set with the tighter grain. Hmmm, I may have to order another blank and bolster from Jantz.
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.

I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.

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BrokenolMarine
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by BrokenolMarine » Mon Dec 19, 2022 11:39 pm

** Note, they are just laying there, there won't be a gap when they are mounted. ;)
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.

I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.

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markiver54
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by markiver54 » Tue Dec 20, 2022 8:58 am

That spalted maple is going to look great! 8-)
I'm your Huckleberry

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cooperhawk
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by cooperhawk » Tue Dec 20, 2022 9:07 am

Do you cut out your own blades or do you order precut blanks? I'm thinking I might want a new
hobby.
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graywolf
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Re: Christmas Presents for my Gals

Post by graywolf » Tue Dec 20, 2022 9:34 am

I like that maple to.

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