A novice build
Sept 25, 2015 12:08:55 GMT -7
Post by leatherstocking on Sept 25, 2015 12:08:55 GMT -7
I shared this on Frontier Folk, but the style is still prevalent in the 19th century, especially in Europe. My next challenge is a sheath......would prefer an Eastern quilled version, but certainly don't posses the talent for that.......always have option to build a regular belt sheath myself.
So in my fantasy world (so no serious historian would be offended) I have built myself a knife with the aid of a blade built by Don Abbott and Inspiration from Ken Hamilton and advice from Lloyd Moler. Originally desiring an effigy bag knife from Ken (and still desiring one in the future) I ran afoul of finances back in the spring, so I decided to try and build one myself. I had built a "soldiers knife" for an 1870's cav impression back in the 80's but haven't made an attempt since then......so I was a bit spooked by the prospect. Wanting an "effigy" knife, I felt a bit ill-equipped since my sculpting comfort is more modeling in clay than in bone or antler carving. Then while cruising through Ebay I discovered this Asian source for carved animal heads and such out of bone and antler. I was able to bid low and get the bear head pretty cheap, so added to the antler I had and the cool knife blade I had bought from Don Abbott, I started to plan a build back in June.....but got delayed until the past few days.
Again, foundationally I had wanted a knife that had similarities to 18th century German made knives and swords and found a few examples of carved bone/antler handles.....on some knives but especially hunting swords. At first I inletted the bears head flush into the flatten base of the antler. But then I realized that it didn't really take on the appearance of having been carved from the bone section below the crown on the antler....so I redid the inletting to give more of an appearance of being all of one piece.I then attached the blade into the antler after having run a saw curth down the center. Once that was all done and it was looking pretty good "well for me".....I started trying to get my head around the bolster. Knowing that pouring a pewter one was the most logical...I went on line and saw a Youtube video showing how to pour a bolster using plumbers lead (which I had) instead of traditional pewter (which I didn't have). The first time I tried it it didn't take....probably because I hadn't added any flux to help it flow better....but the second time it came out pretty good......honestly that was the "scariest part".
So Keeping in mind this is my fantasy and I ain't trying to impress anyone with any authenticity of my persona or equipment here's a couple of photos........When I create something that feels really good.....it is such a blessing and does much to restore confidence.......so forgive my "giddy" show and tell! :lol: !
So in my fantasy world (so no serious historian would be offended) I have built myself a knife with the aid of a blade built by Don Abbott and Inspiration from Ken Hamilton and advice from Lloyd Moler. Originally desiring an effigy bag knife from Ken (and still desiring one in the future) I ran afoul of finances back in the spring, so I decided to try and build one myself. I had built a "soldiers knife" for an 1870's cav impression back in the 80's but haven't made an attempt since then......so I was a bit spooked by the prospect. Wanting an "effigy" knife, I felt a bit ill-equipped since my sculpting comfort is more modeling in clay than in bone or antler carving. Then while cruising through Ebay I discovered this Asian source for carved animal heads and such out of bone and antler. I was able to bid low and get the bear head pretty cheap, so added to the antler I had and the cool knife blade I had bought from Don Abbott, I started to plan a build back in June.....but got delayed until the past few days.
Again, foundationally I had wanted a knife that had similarities to 18th century German made knives and swords and found a few examples of carved bone/antler handles.....on some knives but especially hunting swords. At first I inletted the bears head flush into the flatten base of the antler. But then I realized that it didn't really take on the appearance of having been carved from the bone section below the crown on the antler....so I redid the inletting to give more of an appearance of being all of one piece.I then attached the blade into the antler after having run a saw curth down the center. Once that was all done and it was looking pretty good "well for me".....I started trying to get my head around the bolster. Knowing that pouring a pewter one was the most logical...I went on line and saw a Youtube video showing how to pour a bolster using plumbers lead (which I had) instead of traditional pewter (which I didn't have). The first time I tried it it didn't take....probably because I hadn't added any flux to help it flow better....but the second time it came out pretty good......honestly that was the "scariest part".
So Keeping in mind this is my fantasy and I ain't trying to impress anyone with any authenticity of my persona or equipment here's a couple of photos........When I create something that feels really good.....it is such a blessing and does much to restore confidence.......so forgive my "giddy" show and tell! :lol: !
