In The Beginning (knife pics start to finish)

Thought some of the knife guys might like to see something like this. Blade was cut from the billet on the metal cutting band saw and then profiled on one of my 2"X 72" belt grinders with a 36 grit belt. If I remember I'll take a pic of the blade after grinding and hand sanding before it's heat treated.

Beautiful pattern

That's the wave pattern, but like finger prints no two billets are the same.

Pretty neat looking. . I look forward to seeing the finished product

Looking good.

Cool to show the process Mike. Love that wave pattern.

Ready for heat treat.




After heat treat. Ugly at this point!

It's in the first temper cycle now.

Awesome!

After the second temper. I'll check the hardness tomorrow and if it's between 58 and 60 on the Rockwell C scale I'll start hand sanding it down to get it ready for etching. If it's over 60 I'll temper it a third time.

Very interesting Mike. Is the etching process what brings the pattern back in the Damascus?

Yes sir it is. Checked the hardness this morning and after the second temper it checked 59 HRC. Exactly where I wanted it.

Here it is all sanded down and ready for etching.

Blade etched and scales epoxied.

It's looking good what scales are those?

So far, that blade is "out of the park" nice!!

Mike, when you etch the blade are you dipping it in a solution of some type?

Love that pattern Mike; good job with the pictures.

Mesquite Burl

Yes sir it's a mix of freeic chloride and distilled water.

I finished it today I'll post pics a little later.

Looking good.

Well here it is all finished up except for the final edge. I took these prior to doing that but I've already put the edge on it and shipped it to it's new owner.

Great work Mike. That is really nice

Looks great!!

nice

Man that's so interesting. And a beautiful result!