Knife making continues.

BuildsByBaz · Sep 19, 2019

Still working on this advanced knife. I have a journeyman smith coaching me through this one, but unfortunately he can't be with me all the time to hover over my work. Much of it I have to work out for myself. Forged into shape, pre-heat treat grind, heat treated and tempered. I got it to hardness 59 rockwell. In the middle of post heat treat grinding now and taking it very carefully.

I also had to make a custom machete to smash down the blackberry I am constantly blocked by on my prospecting trips.

High carbon steel, hardened and tempered as per normal, but afterwards, given a spring temper by submerging the cutting edge in water and using a propane torch to blue the back. This one didn't have to look pretty, just do the job. I took it up to the goldfields last weekend and smashed my way through to the creek. Works a treat!

Dirtdives2424 · Sep 19, 2019

I think I asked this already but are you going to appear on "Forged in Fire" any time soon......I would love to see you compete......and win......

BuildsByBaz · Sep 19, 2019

Dirtdives said:
I think I asked this already but are you going to appear on "Forged in Fire" any time soon......I would love to see you compete......and win......

Not a chance mate. I couldn't hold a candle to that stuff.

xXDashIVXx · Sep 19, 2019

Sandbagger said:
Not a chance mate. I couldn't hold a candle to that stuff.

Yeah, those guys are great, but I still think you are amazing baz! What are you thinking of for the handle?

Sean Anwalt · Sep 19, 2019

*whispered* elephant ivory!

Wait, you're in Australia...

Kangaroo ivory! XD

xXDashIVXx · Sep 19, 2019

Sean Anwalt said:
*whispered* elephant ivory!

Wait, you're in Australia...

Kangaroo ivory! XD

I mean, I was going to recommend putting that blackberry wood that baz has been choppin to good use, but I dont know if that's a great idea xD

BuildsByBaz · Sep 19, 2019

xXDashIVXx said:
Yeah, those guys are great, but I still think you are amazing baz! What are you thinking of for the handle?

I have a nice block of Beefwood, a type of Casurina. I may end up buying a fancy block of stabilised wood.

BuildsByBaz · Apr 14, 2020

Easter at home was productive. Made this lot.

Baz.

xXDashIVXx · Apr 14, 2020

These are all so beautiful! I wish I had my own forge... how did you get such a dark color in your Damascus? Also, what type of wood is that? I love it!

BuildsByBaz · Apr 17, 2020

I etched that particular blade with ammonium persulphate instead of my normal ferric chloride followed by coffee. It's the stuff they etch circuit boards with. Horrible stuff that can really mess up your knife. You have to mix it as weak as piss or it will eat your blade.

The Wood is beefwood/casuarina, (sheoak) olive and redgum.

BuildsByBaz · Jul 22, 2020

A couple more recent ones. The Ulu was a challenging freehand grind.

Sean Anwalt · Jul 23, 2020

Sandbagger said:
The Ulu was a challenging freehand grind.

It's gorgeous, though! Totally worth it.

BuildsByBaz · Aug 17, 2020

Stepping up my game.

My first solo Bowie. Ten inch blade.

Just finished tonight after weeks of nervous and careful progress on this one.

This blade has been a real challenge. It has taken me outside my comfort zone a few times and I have spent a lot of time just looking at it at different stages, thinking before I did each stage. The wood is Gidgee and the blade is 5160 steel. My thanks to Jackson Rumble JS, for his coaching.

xXDashIVXx · Aug 17, 2020

Sandbagger said:
Stepping up my game.

My first solo Bowie. Ten inch blade.

Just finished tonight after weeks of nervous and careful progress on this one.

This blade has been a real challenge. It has taken me outside my comfort zone a few times and I have spent a lot of time just looking at it at different stages, thinking before I did each stage. The wood is Gidgee and the blade is 5160 steel. My thanks to Jackson Rumble JS, for his coaching.

View attachment 294845

If you dont mind me asking, what was it that was out of your comfort zone?

BuildsByBaz · Aug 17, 2020

xXDashIVXx said:
If you dont mind me asking, what was it that was out of your comfort zone?

The grind of the clip along the top. Bedding the tang so that it could be removed and replaced exactly, while I forged the curves in the guard, drilling the tang inside the handle, not being able to see it, among others.

xXDashIVXx · Aug 17, 2020

Sandbagger said:
The grind of the clip along the top. Bedding the tang so that it could be removed and replaced exactly, while I forged the curves in the guard, drilling the tang inside the handle, not being able to see it, among others.

Well the work and craftsmanship definatly shows! The tank and handle are gorgeous and the blade itself is so clean. Beutiful work as always!