Recent content by Iron&Light

Hi, I dont have have the ability to use Elmax either, though it is very nice stuff. Would love to see some pictures of people working on blades as well as hear about any traditions or details in knifemaking that are unique to your area. I did see a few of the heavy coconut knives you...

Hi Guys, The CA looks really good and helped keep things much cleaner. Ken, you mentioned a thin layer, then sanding to fill the grain. That's what I tried and it worked well. Does CA hold up as a top coat? I'm sure it will stick in the pores and cracks, but I was wondering if it was a...

Thank you all for your thoughts, I get the feeling I rubbed a few people the wrong way. I am a newcomer to the forum and I've only been making knives a few years. I have been mainly self taught and I have not seen any of the testing you are referring to. I also don't know who you are and...

Wow, That's all great info guys. Thank you very much! It's greatly appreciated.

Hi Everyone, I still do most of my heat processes at the forge. I've got a two burner gas setup that oxidizes the heck out of metal. I generally shield the blade within a pipe to help with decarb if there is any soaking involved. I am looking for a reliable high temp thermometer. I have...

Hi George, I think your terminology alert is a good point. I have been assuming that a full tang is anything that extends all the way to the pommel or butt. That would include full hidden(through) or full exposed where you can see its edge all the way around. What you are calling hidden...

I like the idea of the CA glue. I have tried it on elk antler scales before, but I wasn't really confident in the durability of it once polished down really thin. I thought it might flake off. It sounds like Ken has had good luck with it. I may be underestimating it's holding power. I...

You are doing beautiful work. I see a lot of things going on in there. A Scandinavian backbone with influences from all over the world. The materials you are describing make me drool. I'd love to get my hands on some 16th century wrought iron. The oldest metal I can scavenge here is from...

Very very cool, I like everything about it. I don't think I've seen handle texturing quite like that before. It's clean and looks effective. Also a very nice makers stamp. I get sick of mirror finishes too, this one is very classy. nicely done.

I am prone to overthinking things. It can be a blessing or a curse. Attention to tiny details is what separates a good knife from a bad one. I imagine most of the forum members are detail oriented people. I'm not trying to make more work for myself on a invisible area, but looking for...

Hey There Wallace, Those look great. I really like your makers mark. Can't tell if it's an acid etch or not. A couple of things I'd like to see in those knives. Of course, it's just my humble opinion. It seems like a knife with that level of finish should have a pop of color. Maybe a...

"There's a lot more to it than just an unhardened tang. Besides, when it comes to steel, for the most part, hard means brittle. Softer steel is going to hold up to impact stresses better as far as not cracking or breaking. It would deform easier. Really the only thing on a knife that has to be...

Nameste Suraj, Welcome to the forum. I'm a new member myself and trying to get acquainted. I was in India a year ago and I made it to the Western Ghats in Kerala, which is fairly close to you, but I did not get to Bangalore. In the northern part of the country I saw a lot of knifemaking and...

I will give that double drilling mortice technique a shot. Maybe after I practice on a two by four so the holes converge. Mr. Caffrey, I respect your years of experience and your MS rating. You said that most of your knives are hidden tang. There are obviously good reasons to do it...

Thank you gentlemen, Welding in a tang seemed like a very risky proposition and I agree with your assessments. It is something you see a lot of though and many people try sell it as a good idea. And it sounds like the threads are just fine without heat treatment. I was concerned they might...