Knife in progress

[LRB]

No Dave. Not unless it is way over heated. The pewter cools fast enough that it does no serious damage if any. At the worst you may get a light discoloration, but that cleans up as you dress off the excess of the pour. In my experience anyway. As far as PC, I don't know how PC pewter is for 18th c. when used in that application. I have seen photos of knives with pewter that are presented as 18th c., but I've never seen documentation for one. There may be, but I just have not seen it for myself. I have done it, but usually avoid using it.

 

[Rifleman1776]

antler melts if hot enough

:hmm: Melts?
Antler will burn. But melt? I don't think so.

 

[jcmcclure]

I agree on the issues of period correctness of pewter used on knives in the 18th century...frankly there is so very little to go on. Aside from trade knives it would seem that "rifleman knives" etc etc that we commonly see are really not very pc.

 

[LRB]

Uh oh. Now you've gone and done it. :stir: :slap: Rifleman76 has a much different opinion than what you just said about riflemans knives, and will probably share it with you. Oh, I agree with you, but I'm stepping out of this one before it even gets started. I have one of those types in the works that needs tending. Though my hypocrisy is evident, one must eat. :v

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have said my bit on riflemans knives and will not repeat.
But, I still do not believe antler will melt.
Unless is is one of those bought at Hobby Lobby. :wink:

 

[crockett]

I maybe wrong but I think I had one melt- memory isn't what it used to be. Possibly if very hot- it burns but at a borderline temp it softens or melts.
In any event the poured pewter bolster sounds do-able if pc.
There is so much stuff being made today that looks old that to me at least it gets pretty confusing knowing what is or isn't pc.
I have one crown with a pre-drilled hole.In other words a rat tail tang fits into the hole but there is excess space on the sides on the rat tail tang that need to be covered. So... I need some sort of guard or end cap to cover the sides of this hole. On a future project, I've seen crowns with a sawn slot and the blade has a full (top to bottom) half length tang held with 2 or 3 cross pins. The end of the crown is simply rounded so it is smooth but some end pith is visible. Once again- it looks old but I don't know if pc.
And, I've seen 3/16" thick brass cut and carefully filed to match the front end of the crown. A center punch was then used to stipple or dent/pock mark the front end. The overall effect is nice but I'm pretty sure it isn't pc.
AND I took a 3/4" copper end cap- used for plumbing and hammered it out so the front was square with crisp corners and cut a slot to match the tang. I gave that a peen hammered finish. The effect was good but that knife had a wood handle made to match the diameter of the copper end cap. Most crown antlers probably wouldn't fit.

 

[LRB]

I've never seen antler melt, but of course it will scorch and burn. Brass and copper are very rarely found on 18th c. knives, unless a re-purposed or broken sword. I think with the crown you have, I'd go ahead and pour pewter for the bolster, or braze a closed end cap of sheet steel together and slot it to fit, or just make a slotted washer to fit. Something like a 1/8" flat slotted washer should work well. That would be the simpler way.

 

[jcmcclure]

LOL Wick I totally agree with you and I will have to say that I live the looks of the riflemans knives and have made a few on my interpretations.

Its just the matter of if you want PC or Contemporary and there is a place for both in this hobby...to each his own.

 

[LaBonte]

Another option that I've uses several times for a bolster/collet is to use a piece of black iron pipe the right outer diameter (or close). There's plenty of meat on the pipe to do some filing to fit.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I maybe wrong but I think I had one melt- memory isn't what it used to be. Possibly if very hot- it burns but at a borderline temp it softens or melts.

You know what that means, don't you?
I'm going to have to test it. Lessee, hunk of antler, vise (the post vise outside) and propane torch. If it melts I'll cast it into a button or sumptin'. Hold yer breath. :wink:

 

[Rifleman1776]

I maybe wrong but I think I had one melt- memory isn't what it used to be. Possibly if very hot- it burns but at a borderline temp it softens or melts.

You know what that means, don't you?
I'm going to have to test it. Lessee, hunk of antler, vise (the post vise outside) and propane torch. If it melts I'll cast it into a button or sumptin'. Hold yer breath. :wink:

OK, shop just a step away and I'm surgically attached to my camera.
Melt antler? :youcrazy: :blah: :haha:
No way. :shake:
It did do something unexpected though. As I applied heat it started glowing red just like a hunk of steel. But almost as soon as the heat hit it it got crumbly. No softening, just brittle crumbling.

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[fleener]

I cut notches on both sides of the metal for the handle. Gives the epoxy something to grip.

Fleener

 

[jcmcclure]

I would say that you have done a fine job of charring that antler piece lol.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I would say that you have done a fine job of charring that antler piece lol.

Yep. Thanks. I'm proud of that. :wink: :rotf:
Now, wat to do with it.

 

[LRB]

Use it for a grip and wrap the front with rawhide.