Just Another Ivory Handled Knife

[davec2]

Well, after my last attempt at knife making went a little overboard, I thought I would make one a lot simpler...saw a blade blank out of O-1 steel, put on a simple brass cross guard, a wood handle, and rivet on an end cap.  Just a simple project to do between the demands of work.....  

The whole idea went to hell in a hand cart right from the start.  First, I had no idea what sort of trouble I was getting into by thinking I could properly heat treat O-1 with the very limited equipment I have for that type of work.  I only found out after I asked Wick Ellerbe for some advice and after I had invested way more time that I planned in shaping (incorrectly I might add) the blade.  Wick took pity on me and VERY generously offered to bail me out and do the heat treating for me.  (Wick also offered a lot of his time and advice on blade shaping, file guides, types of steel to use and a myriad of other knife making tips.  I very much appreciate his help.)

While the blade was off to Wick for heat treat, I went to work on the grip.  But, as they say about the best laid plans of mice and men, things seemed to take on a life of their own.  I did manage to make a simple straight, flat brass guard, but ended up embellishing the edge a bit with some boarder engraving...not too bad though, I thought.  Simple...elegant...not over done...Then I went looking for a suitable piece of hardwood to make the grip but stumbled, almost immediately, upon a piece of Hippopotamus ivory I had.  Before I could control myself, I had already cut up the Hippo ivory and turned the grip.  And then it looked too plain, so I added the flutes.  The simple ferrules looked too plain now, with the fluted ivory and all, so I had to add some wedding band type decoration.

Anyway, you can see what happened.

At any rate, the blade is 10 inches long, the grip is stained with tea, and this time I went for broke and riveted the butt cap on.

 

[flattail]

:thumbsup: Holey smokes, Dave!!! Has anything simple and plain ever made it out of your shop?
Wonderful work, as usual. :hatsoff:
Ed

 

[kaintuck]

THATS IT!
We're taking away all your tools........your way to good at making everything.......you are now banished to the back of the room with only your pocket knife...... :haha:

Marc n tomtom

 

[Rifleman1776]

I was going to make a joke about plans going awry. But that knife is just too fine to joke about. A real beauty. :bow: Only comment, I would not have stained the bone and left in white to patina naturally from handling.

 

[LRB]

Very beautiful Dave, but I knew it would be. I can only describe it as a "WOW"! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[wattlebuster]

If I had your skills I wouldnt be driving a stinking garbage truck for a living :idunno: . Beautiful as always :thumbsup:

 

[Rickey Brown]

excellent work in every aspect

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Beautiful! Nice clean lines too. Simple and elegant. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Katahdin]

Now if a fella had that knife to go with the horn and rifle,,,, well mister he'd be something in any camp,,,,

 

[lonehunter]

Nicely done!

 

[Captjoel]

Beautiful knife Dave! In another life your name was Michael Angelo :applause:

 

[pargent]

:thumbsup: :applause: :applause:

 

[Ken Cormier]

Wow what else is their to say. :hatsoff:

 

[MSW]

THATS IT!
We're taking away all your tools........your way to good at making everything.......you are now banished to the back of the room with only your pocket knife...... :haha:

Marc n tomtom

nice idea - but I can't help but suspect that his work would leave the rest of us in the dirt even if all he had was a a bent coathanger, a dull grapefruit knife, and a piece of knotty pine board.

this guy just has an intimidating skillset!

 

[Artie Peltier]

A work of art! You are truly a master craftsman.