Stag handled Sendero hunter

This is my Sendero model with stag and engraving. The blade has a Dog Star pattern Damascus, Hope they like it.

very nice!

Awesome.

Wow. That is spectacular.

That's one of the best Damascus Patterns I've ever seen; Awesome Jerry!

Jank, thank you. This is a forge to shape pattern only. I cannot get it without forging it to shape. I like it as well. I came really close to naming it 'Texas Sunset' but finally went with Dog Star as that is the main star of Orion the Hunter constellation.

I worked it up several years ago as a pattern and the response has always been good on it. If we ever get together one of these days I will show you how I do it. Along with this one I have been able to work up two other patterns that folks now use though the trail of tears pattern can be the most difficult and time consuming. All three of these patterns only work when forged to shape.

Morning Mr. Fisk , Could you explain more about " forged to shape ". Tried to read up on the process but just got more confused. Is this a process using dies? with part of the pattern in the die? By the way that is a beautiful Sendero.
Thanks hetman

Het, that means I start with my Damascus in a square or most of rectangle shape that has been welded up into the desired layers.

The pattern is then cut into it by various means such as a grinder, then take a hammer and simply forge it into 95% of the finished shape or outline. This means forging the grind line in, making the point, forging in the distal taper, and pulling down the choil [where the blade drops down to form the cutting edge]. It should look like 95% of the finished blade shape, including the tang area.

This way you only clean it up on the grinder. Most Damascus patterns I can look at after forging and finishing and I can tell how close he forged to shape and how much he just ground to get where he wanted to go. It makes for a bit stronger knife and sore hands and shoulders.