A few things I've made in tha past year or so

[SShepherd]

 

[300 H and H]

What is your favorite steel to use?

Of course not the damascus ones, but tell us about it as well!

Regards, Kirk

 

[SShepherd]

depends on the use..
the ones in the pic that are coated are simple 1084. The Damascus is about 250 layers of 1084/15n20.
I like W2 because it's a pretty simple shallow hardening steel, great for making "hamon" and with proper heat treating it's like a straight razor.
I use a few stainless steels, mostly CPM154CM

 

[300 H and H]

Do you do your own heat treatent as well?

I made a few knives back in the day. Some of the best were old rusty Nickleson files. I still have and use a couple of them. They were ground on a wet stone, and kept cool to keep the temper. They are brittle, but with some meat left in the back of the blade, and no crow bar use, they have stood up well. Unfortunately they do stain however.

Regards, Kirk

 

[SShepherd]

ya, I make my own Damascus and do all my own heat treating, even the stainless.

 

[mla2ofus]

That's awesome work,SS!!!Worked w/ a fella yrs ago who was taught by his grandfather and father to make knives from rusty old wire rope and to make his own flux. He said the wire rope is the finest steel around for knife making. His craftsmanship was awesome!!
Mike

 

[SShepherd]

That's awesome work,SS!!!Worked w/ a fella yrs ago who was taught by his grandfather and father to make knives from rusty old wire rope and to make his own flux. He said the wire rope is the finest steel around for knife making. His craftsmanship was awesome!!
Mike

Thanks !
eh, I'm glad he thought that. There's a lot of contention amongst knifemakers- those who use new steel from the mill and those who use "mystery steel"
I've used some cable to make a damascus style blade. I prefer other steel though. Most often you find guys use borax (20 mule team) for a flux or they'll cook it to drive out the moisture and use it as "anhydrous borax". I've been using what called a dry flux, I soak the billet in kerosene for a few minutes. I find the weld is cleaner with no chance for trapped flux.

 

[Danang Sailor]

Do you ever sell any of the cutlery damascus blades? I'd love to be able to gift Dragonfly Lady with a small, slim lady's dagger
made that way.

 

[SShepherd]

PM me, we'll chat about it

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

I have a hand made Damascus it's a great blade the only problem is you have to keep it oiled in the wet season they seem prone to rust easy. it has with stood the test of time dressing caribou moose bear and all kinds of fish. lately I've been too busy for much out door stuff wished the cost of living would go down a bit so I could spend more time in the back country hunting and being with nature.

 

[Wee Willy]

Beautiful jobs.

 

[baldy347]

That is beautiful work! Thanks for sharing.


wayne

 

[EastTexFrank]

Man, that is some beautiful work.

I have a personal love for Damascus blades. I think that they are beautiful. I carried one for years but somehow it "disappeared" and I've never found one to replace it. I'll keep on looking and one day I'll find it.

 

[Andrei]

Some rare skills there.
Have you ever considered teaching?
Getting some apprentices like in the old time would be very beneficial.