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Thread: My KNIFE FETISH

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    gold coast
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    Default My KNIFE FETISH

    A few years ago I had the fantacy to make a 'star knife'. One made from a nickel/iron meteorite.
    This was the start of a steep learning curve of sourcing materials )meteorite, suitable blade steel, interesting wood for handles etc)
    I had no idea at the time where to find a meteorite but I trolled several lapidary shows and eventually an old geologist who had some samples from Henbury in the Northern Territory. We developed a friendship.
    I found a blacksmith who was willing to hire me his forge (under supervision) and by then I had read a few books on 'pattern welding' steel (damascus) Fortunately my first attempt worked out and I created a billet of pattern welded steel with the meteorite in it. It was about 40mm wide 4 mm thick and about 400mm long. Enough for three knives.
    More head scratching and reading about blade and handle designs.
    I pulled out my trusty hacksaw and fitted a new blade and with the help of a couple of linishers from ALDI I created some shapes.
    More research to revise heat treatments, since no charts exist for laminates steel. With the help of a soft refractory brick and a LP gas torch I did the hardening and when my wife was out I tempered in her oven, fanning out the smell of burning oil.
    More linishing for handles as well as discovering little abrasive pads the pen makers use to create a lovely shine on steel and wood.
    I needed some ferric chloride to etch the steel to highlight the contrast and some wikipedia search told me it was used for water treatment. A call to the local water treatment plant and a chat with the chief chemist and we exchanged some ferric chloride for a bottle of bubbly.
    SO each knife has taken almost a year to finish--it has never been a race.
    I have some more meteorite and have sketches for a gas forge and a drop hammer to explore once some of the 'work around the house' is complete.
    hope you can make out the pics--I'm crap at pics
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    San Antonio, Texas, USA
    Posts
    17

    Default

    Your first knives? Extremely nice work.

    Cheers,
    Rob

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Victoria, Australia
    Age
    74
    Posts
    5,080

    Default

    Congratulations Brian, beautiful work, and a tribute to your patience and skill, are there any pictures of the work in progress, like the forging process?

    For future reference ( and for others ) Ferric Chloride is used for etching printed circuit boards, and you can buy it from Farnell, and other electronic suppliers http://au.element14.com/cif/ar37-b/f...tle/dp/2345434
    at $8.61 per liter it's cheaper than bubbly... (not as much fun maybe?)

    Ray

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    rural s.a.
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    Default

    Hi Brian,
    I'm not a knife man but the 2nd. pic. just blows me away. CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!
    ian

  5. #5
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    Nov 2008
    Location
    Perth WA
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    Default

    Beautiful work Brian.

    Bob.

  6. #6
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    Jan 2004
    Location
    Bellingen
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    Default

    Mate....first attempt!? Pretty awesome go at it if you ask me! I wold like to see where you go from here...

    you missed your calling if this is your first time around!!

    I never sold off my first knife (I doubt anyone would have bought it anyway). Looks pretty average but damn I nailed the heat treatment and it takes and holds a wicked edge. I still use it from time to time.

    Very well done mate!

    Any sheath ideas coming up soon?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    near Rockhampton
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    Default

    Very impressive..
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
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    1,628

    Default

    I really like the pattern weld in the second photo. Impressive work.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
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    Default

    Well done mate!
    The fit and finish of some nice timber on brass and steel draws me in irresistibly,especially so on a folder.
    Mine are a collection about 80 or so folders , bought over the years and I like timber handled folders the most.

    I like your idea of doing them over a year, working at your pace ,not someone else s'.

    Grahame

  10. #10
    Ueee's Avatar
    Ueee is offline Blacksmith, Cabinetmaker, Machinist, Messmaker
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Canberra
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    Default

    Hi Brain,
    I remember you talking about the meteor knife same time back. I'm really glad you got a good billet and turned it into such nice blades!

    I know the WWF doesn't like talk of other forums, but do you mind if i link this from the ABF?? I'm sure the members there would love to see this.

    As for the forge etc the ABF is also a good place to look, as well as the Australian blacksmith, Bladesmith and Knifemakers network facebook group (if you are that way inclined, i am only new to the whole FB thing!)

    Another thing to google may be a macdonald rolling mill as an option to the drop hammer.

    Cheers,
    Ewan
    1915 17"x50" LeBlond heavy duty Lathe, 24" Queen city shaper, 1970's G Vernier FV.3.TO Universal Mill, 1958 Blohm HFS 6 surface grinder, 1942 Rivett 715 Lathe, 14"x40" Antrac Lathe, Startrite H225 Bandsaw, 1949 Hercus Camelback Drill press, 1947 Holbrook C10 Lathe.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    Townsville, Tropical North Qld.
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    Gotta agree with you Brian, your photos are crap, but your knives look awesome. Love the idea that they include material from the stars. I know little about knife making but as a consumer it looks to me like you have made some pretty decent knives here.
    Would love to see them again with better photos. There is a thread in the pen making forum on photographing pens which would probably help with future photos of your knives.
    Keep up the good work.
    Cheers, Ian
    "The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot.. it can't be done.
    If you deal with the lowest bidder it is well to add something for the risk you run.
    And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better"

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
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    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    I agree with the other comments ! Impressive work.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  13. #13
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    Jan 2004
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    Bellingen
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    Default

    I agree with the others! Worthy of some better photos!

    I want a closer look!!

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    gold coast
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    Default

    Thank you everyone for your kind words.
    Ihave been otherwise occupied for a few days and have nly just checked the responses so my apologies for my tardiness.
    It's late here so I will work through any replies over the next few days. I'm a little stunned with the accolades. Thank you all again
    regards
    Brian

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    Melbourne
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    Hi Brian.

    Congratulations on the knives. Your ingenuity and perseverance is amazing. A knife made from a meteorite, who would have thought of that!? Thats cool!

    Thanks!

    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

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