Challenge Build Along Post

[BrokenolMarine]

Thanks Hatch. I think this one will be a keeper. The price, if someone just had to have it, would be steep. The components were pricey and you guys can attest to the time invested. I was shocked when I saw what true custom knives are selling for. I wouldn't price mine like that, but I won't give them away...

[BrokenolMarine]

Back at it. A chance to use the new vise. I found that there was a need for a slight adjustment to the fit of the turquoise where it met the copper on both sides. Slight. Most people wouldn't notice, but ... it bugs me.

54 a little adjustment needed.jpg

Pulled out my custom adjustment tool. 120 grit sandpaper wrapped around a popsicle stick. Miss Tina saves them for me, I use them for so MANY things in the shop. I mix two part epoxy and spread it on leather and wood parts prior to joining. I use them for wedges to force parts together during glue ups, and I have been known to use them as mini biscuits for small builds.

55 custom tool.jpg

I am ready to sand up thru the grits, 600, 800, 1,000. Wet the paper, a dab of dawn dishwashing liquid and sand lightly until the old scratches from the last grit are gone. Move to the next grit and repeat. I made it to 1000 before the neck, shoulders, and hands told me I was done for now. 1000 was the goal for the afternoon.

56 1000 grit.jpg

Took 'er out in the sunlight. BOOM, she's poppin' now.

57 in the sunlight.jpg

Will likely sand the metal to 2000, then polish with the rouge. Hopefully that will make it shine.
It's looking just like the drawing, I'm happy now. I forgot to mention, I did put ONE coat of Watco Dark Walnut Oil Finish on the wood to protect it while I polished the metal and the turquoise.

[BrokenolMarine]

In the custom tool pic, that's a scalpel in the leather case I made. Miss Tina ordered me one with replaceable blades. I use that for all kinds of things. The last thing it was used for in this build was to remove epoxy bleed out. That fine sharp blade lets me cut close to the various parts, then flex the blade under the epoxy and lift. Boom, gone.

[rickhem]

That looks fantastic, glad you included your mosaic pin too.
You're right about how balanced those two silver pins look, I love symmetry and you got that part nailed.

[BigAl52]

Thats a family heirloom right there BOM. I would not sell that either. Beautiful work and like others have said that turquoise is outstanding. Ive never seen another knife like that one.

[BrokenolMarine]

Got back to work and started on the final finishing. The first step in this stage was to grab the pencil dremel and load up the pin polishing tip. This tip holds thin abrasive rods in five grades for polishing jewelry and knife pins...

58 pencil dremel with pin polisher.jpg

I used the dremel to polish the spine tooling, and the edges of the copper and nickel. Did a great job. Went through the medium, fine, and extra fine rods.

59 spine work.jpg

Then, off to the work table to engage in a hot wax. Heat the knife handle with the hair dryer, and then apply wax. This causes the wax to be pulled into the wood and cracks to better protect the components down the road. Let it cool and harden, buff. Reheat, reapply. Four coats.

60 hot wax.jpg

[BrokenolMarine]

Next, I used the pencil dremel and the polishing tip to buff the copper and nickel ends with a touch of rouge, before calling it done. A pic in the sunlight. I'm thinking it looks pretty good and close to the design I started with. A long way from the collection of parts on the table at the start though.

01 layout.jpg

The copper shines like a new penny and the turquoise glows in the sun.

61 done in the sun.jpg

Inside, you can see some of the detail in the long shot.

62 done inside.jpg

With a closer look, "I" spot a ding in the copper endcap. I CAN address later if I like, but if I was to use the knife, ever... it would take a hit here and there. Who am I kidding, when I take the knife out to make a sheath, I'll buff out that small ding on the edge.

63 done closer look.jpg

The knife is done... Miss T loves it.
Only thing left is a tooled leather sheath.
Oak Leaves and acorns, dragon scales? Maybe roses. Who knows.
It'll show up here.

[Mags]

Beautiful and masterfully done!

[BigAl52]

Thanks for taking us along BOM. I agree with Tina it looks awesome

[CT_Shooter]

I totally enjoyed seeing the photos and reading the explanations and descriptions of that Challenge Build, Marine. Fabulous. Thanks for sharing it with us.