Here's a bit of a WIP of my latest: [I'd like to thank both Kevin Cashen & Brian Thie for their advice on making the hilt for this one.]
A 42 layer billet after the first "W" squeeze giving me a 42 x 4 "W" (Note additional bars of 1084 between "W" pieces.):
Welded:
Second cut & stack making it a 42 x 16 "W" (No added 1084 bars.):
Welded:
Forged on the bias with squaring dies:
Four-wayed with squaring dies:
Welded & drawn (This piece was tile cut later.):
Blade forged (No bevels forged to help keep pattern intact.):
Blade finished with fuller scraped into center:
The guard was made of 416 bar with the ring added from 1/4" 416 rod. (A big thank you to Kevin Cashen for his advice on attaching the ring.)
Initial silver work (Thanks to Brian Thie on ferule advice.):
The Hilt:
A Chuck Ward shot of the completed dagger (Engraving by Everett Smith):
I hope you enjoyed the trip through this one. I plan on having it with me at The I.C.C.E. Show.
Gary
Outstanding job Gary!
Thank you for taking the time to share your techniques and work with our members.
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Just great Gary! A big thank you for the WIP. I look forward to seeing this one in Kansas City.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
Thank you both. That means a lot.
Gary
I had a question Gary. Did you make the scraper for the fuller? And do you have a picture of it. Thanks in advance.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
|quoted:
I had a question Gary. Did you make the scraper for the fuller? And do you have a picture of it. Thanks in advance.
Brion
I kept it simple. With the blade clamped in a drill press vise, I used an abrasive cutoff wheel in the drill press to make an initial indexing groove. I then ground the end of a chain saw file so that it had a sharp edge and used that to scrap the fuller to size (I guess that you would still call a tool that you push a "scraper"). Not exactly a traditional approach but it worked. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//rolleyes.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':rolleyes:' />
Gary
Nice work, Gary. I also have some questions: What is the purpose of the ring and does a dagger need a distal taper?
Chrs
|quoted:
Nice work, Gary. I also have some questions: What is the purpose of the ring and does a dagger need a distal taper?
Chrs
Hi Christophe.
The side ring was favored by the Germanic peoples of the time and was to provide a third dimension of protection for the hand when blocking a blow by your opponent and yes it should have a distal taper. If you can find it, Kevin Cashen has done an excellent video on the geometry of a dagger which you will enjoy.
Very nice Dagger Gary!
Bob
Thanks, everyone for the kind words. I finally got around to finishing a sheath for it:
Gary
The sheath looks great, Gary!
I agree, great sheath Gary! I love the whole package.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
Thanks. It's appreciated very much.
Gary
