tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24593646894006602552024-03-13T10:16:18.182-06:00Hanged Man DesignsCustom knives, letter-openers, jewelry, and other artworks all hand-crafted by me.A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-19542099557963137582017-01-30T13:01:00.001-07:002017-01-30T13:01:14.310-07:00Tops, Spears, and Fairy Dresses!<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a little late in welcoming 2017, but not as late as I
was in welcoming 2016…which I just did a few minutes ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It has certainly been a busy 2017, and it is only the end of
January. My year hasn’t been anything
like the year on a national or political level, but still busy with travel and
work and even a little bit of time in the shop.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Late last year I made a few tops – this is new for me, and I
did sell one, so far the best one. It is
interesting to see how wood density changes the balance of these things. The first was Guayacan or genuine Lignum Vitae
– my favorite wood, nice and dense with very even density overall. I also made a Bloodwood, and Myrtlewood and
couple others that I can’t remember at the moment. If I can figure out how to
upload the video I will post that. Otherwise it will be a still.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also made a spear!
Not quite 100% satisfied with the butt end (not pictured here <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> for just that
reason). <o:p></o:p></div>
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One aside: I traveled to Michigan over the holidays and
with my daughters and mother visited the Ann Arbor Matthaei Botanical Gardens –
we only had a few minutes inside, but managed to see the fairy dresses that
they had on display. Pretty cool.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also have another set of blades in progress – they are
farther along now, and you’ll recognize a few from a couple years ago…<o:p></o:p></div>
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At least it is still January…<o:p></o:p></div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-15723494519702575202017-01-30T12:31:00.000-07:002017-01-30T12:31:49.048-07:00Realizations<div class="MsoNormal">
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Note - I think this one was in November 2016 as well. But it has some pictures!!!<br />
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As I was finishing up a knife a couple weeks ago, I realized
that I hadn’t finished a knife all year – since the knife show last year in
fact. I certainly knew that I hadn’t made much progress, but since I had at
least worked on a few, I thought I must have finished one. Then I checked the
serial numbers, and found out that I was wrong.
So I proceeded to crank out eight knives. A couple of them have been in progress for
years. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This batch has a lot of hammer textured spines and carbon
scale. But not on all of them. Also my first kiridashi, a massive curved
machete, a ring knife that I started for the show last year, and a weird
skinner of my own design. There are
still another 3-4 that I could probably finish off in a couple days of moderate
effort.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And then my pens started selling – before I was expecting
anything to happen, and then one of my oldest knives sold! So we ordered a
bunch of pen supplies and Erica started listing some of the knives with
sheaths. Have I mentioned that I don’t
like making sheaths? I think that is the
real barrier to selling my knives. They
are interesting unique and functional, with (in my opinion) some artistry to
them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So – back to pens. I
spent some time this weekend turning pen blanks – over twenty of them. And tried some new styles as well – Music
Pens; Gearshift pens; Steampunk bolt action; and now I have kits for tops and
more wine bottle stoppers and a couple of other things as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The day after all the work, I started to itch. I am
annoyed. I wore my fancy dust mask,
safety glasses, etc. I thought I
filtered out all of the nasty sawdust from the species that I am allergic too,
but I guess I was wrong. I now have my standard systemic rash, but am taking
anti-allergy meds to control the symptoms rather than just the hydrocortisone
cream.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some of the pens are coming out well. The bullet pens are pretty easy and
fast. The Music Pens are pretty
unsatisfying and have some quirks – not my favorite. The Gearshift ones are pretty cool. The Steampunk are too expensive but are
pretty cool.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Right now I am recovering from the allergies. Not very happy about it. </div>
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A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-44563677582402862842017-01-30T12:22:00.002-07:002017-01-30T12:22:56.990-07:00Leadership, inspiration<div class="MsoNormal">
Note – I wrote this one in November 2016, clearly a followup
on the Marketing and Blogging post<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thoughts of the day – What is leadership?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Leadership is bringing people together to accomplish a goal.
How do you do that – inspiring people to seek that goal. Although there may be management and
administration behind a leader that results in a more efficient process, or
more success at achieving the goal, that is not leadership. Leadership again, is convincing, inspiring,
and selling some idea to those you intend to lead. So leadership and marketing have a lot in
common.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So I just did a quick web search on marketing and
inspiration and I have to say, they overlapped less than I expected. Some key tidbits that stood out are:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have a clear goal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Make a connection – why should your audience
listen to you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Inspire trust<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Connect your story with other influencers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Help solve a problem<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Interact with your audience – give feedback<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Take different angles<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Take advantage of brand loyalty<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Humor<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Stand out – innovate<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->11.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Give more<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->12.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Be confident</div>
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<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Be passionate</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is easy to sell to people who want to buy, give them a
reason.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You don’t have to be inspired to be inspiring… but it helps.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I recently took a class on leadership (Freudian slip, I
started typing “marketing”), during that class we discussed a variety of world
leaders from the last century or three, looking at successes and failures. People like Henry Ford, Mother Theresa,
Hitler and Napoleon. It was interesting
to look at these individual, not necessarily from a historic perspective, but
as leaders. They all inspired, sold a
goal, and created empires of sorts. Many
of them over-extended themselves, trusted the wrong people or no one, and
inspired the death of many people. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, one of the exercises was to try to inspire people to
charge the beach on D-day. I don’t think
I did a very good job, but I also didn’t have time to plan the speech and was
working with minimal information.
Excuses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, with a few minutes more I think I could have done a
much better job of selling now. And with a few notes to keep me on track…well
that probably would have helped too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am a good leader in Natural Resources and Environmental
management because I have a connection to the subject. I understand the problems, I know the players
and the theories, I can sell the goal, share the solutions, and with a little
time and research I can connect to almost anyone, and that means that I SHOULD
be able to sell, but a little strategic planning helps. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why? Because having a clear goal helps. Because having a
game plan helps maintain your confidence.
Because having a plan helps you prepare the humor and connection. Being confident lets you share passion for
your goal. And in the end if you have a clear goal, and can inspire others to
have the same goal, you are a leader.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-53752445795010230892017-01-30T12:19:00.000-07:002017-01-30T12:19:06.466-07:00Marketing and Blogs<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
~Note~ I wrote this one in September 2016, finally getting
around to posting it. Oops.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not naturally a social person. I have a magnet on my
fridge that says, “There are two kinds of people in the world, and I don’t like
them”. The social environment is usually pretty exhausting for me, and I never
thought that I would be spending so much time talking to people as a career;
especially because I went to school to be a wildlife biologist. Sounds like a good career for someone who
likes to spend a lot of alone time, out in the woods or desert, waiting and
watching. But then…if you do an OK job,
they ask you to manage a crew of biologist, then to write some grants, then to
manage a program or department, and all of a sudden, you aren’t in the field
any more. You spend all day looking at a
computer or in meetings. Suddenly your job is to be social. Your job is to sell
your research grant, or program to upper administration (or whoever allocates
money) so that your program can keep going.
Your job is to sell the mission of the organization, or department, or
program or even the specific job that an employee has, so that THEY can be
passionate about whatever it is that they do. And all you want to do is wander
off into the woods, read a book, and just be alone. It is not the life you expect when you think
of yourself as an introvert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Introverts and Extroverts are not always as different as
people think, in my mind, what it really comes down to is energy. An introvert gathers energy when they are
alone; an extrovert gathers energy from being with others. An introvert is exhausted after a party; an
extrovert is ready to hit the next one.
But an introvert can give a speech, motivate people, be the life of the
party, lead a group, just like an extrovert can. I am an introvert that has to work like an
extrovert for my career. It is tiring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what about Marketing and Blogs?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t know it when I started my career, but everyone
needs to understand marketing, and how to do it. At some point in your life,
you will need to sell something, whether it is an idea, a research project, a
car, yourself to a prospective employer.
Everyone needs the basic skills to convince someone else. Now I think that everyone should take a
marketing class so that they understand the basic concepts – It would help out
a lot of people. Enjoying selling is different too – and I think I am reverting
back to the In vs Ex discussion here. I
can take satisfaction in a job well done once I have successfully made my pitch
– but I don’t have a passion for it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what about blogs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blogs are a method of showing yourself to the world, of
selling yourself. It isn’t the same as
doing it in person, but it is still – to me- an extroverted activity. The assumption that others will care about
whatever it is that you are writing about…and come back for more. The more you write, the more likely that you
will get a following. I, clearly, am not
very good at it. I have a number of
blogs in draft form, waiting for pictures, I have others that are really just
internal monologues that I don’t feel like exposing to my 3 active followers –
or however many there are. My last
posted one – at least as I write this, was nearly a year ago. Why would anyone follow a blogger that only
posts once or twice or even 12 times a year?
Not good marketing. I’d be very
curious to know what percentage of bloggers consider themselves intro vs
extra-verted. And if it is different that the twitter-ers (not the followers
mind you, but the ones who actively post). My guess is that most active social
media participants are extroverts, and that most of the followers are
introverts – living vicariously through those they follow.<o:p></o:p></div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-30263789219600039832017-01-30T12:17:00.000-07:002017-01-30T12:17:26.143-07:00Archery Thoughts 2016-Note- I wrote this a while ago, but never attached pictures. Sorry. Posting now about 7 months late...<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thoughts on Archery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know how old I was when I first became interested in
archery, but I think I was pretty young.
I was a cub scout, and read biographies of mountain men and indian
scouts. I poured over picture books
about Native Americans and western adventure.
I remember pine sticks and string that dad put together. He also had an old bow that he had found –
that I think I finally broke it as a young adult – it was a nice long bow – or
at least it seemed pretty long at the time.
At boyscout camp I shot basic compound bows for the first time, but
living in the city it didn’t really seem appropriate, and dad didn’t hunt, so
it wasn’t something that really came up.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember loving stories about Robin Hood – on records, and
then books and movies – I still have fond memories of Errol Flynn in the
Adventures of Robin Hood, and I didn’t know anything about Howard Hill at the
time. There was also gaming, and bows certainly played a role there as well, I
had characters that were archers, or rangers that all carried bows. My interest in the outdoors supported these
ideas, learning about nature, camping, hiking and exploring all fit with the
fantasy worlds that I read about and played in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, when I was playing around with the SCA I finally
bought a recurve, but I didn’t have any arrows, so I didn’t use it – in fact I
don’t know if I have ever fired an arrow from it. I left it with my friend Dave when I left the
state.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not too long ago, I decided to get back into it. So I looked
up making bows online. My first attempt
looked pretty good, red oak with a backing of fiberglass tape. It was stiff and slow and it worked OK for a
while, long enough that I had custom arrows made for it. Then it broke. I also tried salt cedar a few times, and they
broke, and I tried laminating a bow together, and it broke. Erica bought me a bow for my birthday – a
nice simple Samick Journey - #45 take down recurve, since I wasn’t having any
luck building a bow, and I started practicing with that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I still had the bug to build my own, so I bought a kit
from Bingham Archery Supplies and built a form, and pressed it all together,
and shaped it, and ended up with a lovely almost #40, 72” long bow. It shoots very sweetly and is pretty
accurate, and quiet. But it isn’t as
stiff or fast as I would like. The
recurve is closer to what I was looking for as far as performance – but I
didn’t build it. I have also built up my ability to draw a bow, so I’d like an
even stiffer one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I now have a wide variety of arrows also – I had some built
for my long bow, and the ones for the broken bow work great with the recurve,
and I have a few others of different spines and materials that aren’t quite
perfect for either. I wonder if I should
build my own arrows too? I don’t have the tools for that right now, and am not
sure I want to invest in the project.
But I might at least get a fletching jig so that I can fix arrows that
get damaged (I bought one, and have fixed a couple so far. Good investment. I guess I don’t really need any other tools
to build arrows – except a die to cut the feathers into the right shape. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is next? I have
a few options, and really want to do them all.
The cheapest and simplest is to buy new heavier limbs for my recurve –
that would let me know if I can draw that weight or if I want to go
heavier. I would also like to buy a
Mongolian style bow. Third, I would like
to build another, reflex/deflex long bow – hopefully picking up a little speed,
but still able to call it my own. And
forth, last for now, I think about an English War bow – over 6 feet long, #90+
monsters that throw massive arrows. And
then the question is, how much do I want to spend on all of this? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Update: I finished another bow. I started with a 20”riser
that I put together from Bloodwood, Ipe, and Maple, then ordered a kit from
Bingham for #55 bamboo and carbon for 68” straight longbow with an 18” riser.
Then I made a form that was a bit reflex-deflex. When it was all assembled at 68” I got a 65”
string and noticed that it was still a pretty light draw. I did some math and with a target of about
#50-55 cut 2.5 inches off each end – so I now had a 63” longbow. There was added incentive to this – I had a
60” string on my 64” Journey recurve. I
strung it, and it felt stiff. Maybe I’m
just weak? I’ve been doing some exercise
specifically for the purpose of a higher draw weight, so I didn’t think so, but
maybe? I noticed how bad my form was to
compensate for the higher weight – more exercise necessary obviously, but it
shoots, it shoots pretty straight, my 400 spine arrows seem to work about
right. Then I took it in to work to discuss with my arrow shooting
colleagues. The local guess was 60-65
pounds. Last night I set it up with my
luggage scale, drew it to 28” and found that it is 65#, pretty much on the
money. I guess I wasn’t as weak as I
thought I was. But I still need to work
on it. I feel like I have gotten better already with practice. I have lost two arrows through my fence
though – need to put in a stiffer back stop so that when I miss everything I
don’t lose any more arrows.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today over lunch I decided that I would try it for flight
shooting – ie going for maximum distance.
I don’t know if I am getting the angle right, but I tried it 3 times,
twice with Easton XX75’s and once with one of my wooden shafts. They ranged from about 238-250 paces,
probably about the same in yards – the terrain was flat and not any wind to speak
of. I think my longer bow (37.5#) did
about 180, but that was a much hillier terrain, so harder to compare. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am still planning to buy a Grozer bow, he came out with a
batch of Hungarian bows, up to 50#, but I really want about 55#, and maybe
higher as a result of my current long bow.
I am hoping that the next batch is Assyrian, but we will see. And then last night the new batch appeared
on-line! I ordered a 52# Assyrian, so I
will have a 37, 45, 52 and 65. I think
that will be enough. I sure hope so <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> Next mission…arrows.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
UPDATE: I got it and
it is beautiful – now my favorite bow! Fast,
light, traditional, and a good weight! I
haven’t tried it from a distance perspective yet, but I am guessing it will
beat the 65#.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had one of my colleagues say that they might order a bow
from me. I don’t know if I am consistent
enough for that – or maybe I am since the first two started right around 38#… I’m
just not good at hitting my weight target.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to the main story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other question is, what am I going to do with all of
these bows? I can shoot them in my back yard, but there isn’t a lot of
diversity there. I could go to one of
the archery shops, but shooting inside seems lame (yes, I climb inside, but
that is more due to time restrictions – if I could do that at home I would, or
better, go to the field and climb real rock! But I haven’t even been to the gym
in a few months). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I feel like I should get a hunting permit and try to shoot
something. But I’m not really sure I am ready, or accurate enough. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mostly, I just want to try out a few more bows, and figure
out what style and weight I am really looking for, and then get pretty good
with that. And THEN, maybe try hunting something with it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right now shooting in my back yard is therapeutic – it takes
focus, but is peaceful (funny, shooting a weapon is peaceful). I have made a couple of light bows for the
kids, and they are variably excited about it, Autumn mostly after Brave came
out, and Penny suddenly took interest after Autumn’s interest level dropped
off. Interestingly enough, Penny’s focus
is better than Autumn’s was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My accuracy is getting better, despite mismatched arrows,
and switching among bows. Most of my
arrows hit the 18” target that I have set up on the back fence. I finally had to get a foam block target – I
was using a wallboard backstop, then straw, then another board, with a fence
behind that, but after repeated use, I was punching through too often, and,
since there is another shed and home behind that, it wasn’t really safe anymore.
I still miss every once and a while, but the set up seems to stop things before
the fence most of the time. Unfortunately, not all of the time. I need to beef up my back stop. I’ve lost two
arrows into the neighbor’s yard…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-9042247395637502362017-01-30T12:14:00.000-07:002017-01-30T12:14:06.417-07:00Motivation and Progress<div class="MsoNormal">
-Note- I wrote these a while back, almost a year ago in some cases, planning to add pictures. Because I never got around to adding the pictures I didn't post them. I'm going to post them now anyway, and maybe someday make a new post that has a bunch of pictures. Or maybe I'll never get around to the pictures.<br />
<br />
Motivation comes in fits and starts. Sometimes just starting
something can get you going. Other times, not so much. For me there are days
that I try to start a craft project and I realize that if I keep going I will
either 1. Break it, or 2. Hurt myself, or 3. Both. Those are good days to stop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since last August/September, when I did the USN show in
Vegas, I haven’t posted. It was a
frustrating experience, and I know that it wasn’t my market. I sold a knife, and it was to a friend of
mine. I sold way more of my pens, and
all of that activity was in the last day. It made me think about shifting gears
to folding knives, but I’m not sure that I have the precision to do that. As a result, I didn’t do ANYTHING in my shop
for a good long while. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have I ever talked about my shop? Most people would call it the backyard. I actually have 3 shops though, and only one
is the backyard. My forge, anvil, and most
big tools live in a small shed in the back yard with my collection of wood,
scraps and leftovers from the previous homeowners. I do work in there, but only to forge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My second shop is in
the house, it holds my drill press, hand tools and smaller stuff, and my
archery equipment, some of my books, leather working equipment, more wood,
stone and some other supplies; not to mention wrapping paper, motorcycle gear, and
a variety of other clutter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My third shop is the backyard on a concrete slab with a
beat-up work bench. This is where most
of the work happens. It goes something like this…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Great I have some time, let’s set up the shop: drag the extension cord out from the house to
the bench; haul the belt sander, the table saw and the lathe out of the shed
and distribute so that they are either out of the way, or ready for use; bring
out whatever projects I am working on. Get started. Obviously, weather and light affect
this. It is not pleasant to work in sub-zero
temperatures (unless I am working the forge – which heats things up
nicely). It is also not pleasant in 100+
heat (especially in the forge, but then it feels cool outside, which is a
little odd). High winds are sometimes
helpful, but can be frustrating, depending on what I am working on. After dark
it is not safe to work (since I can’t see what I am doing). Did I mention that
I commute 45 minutes to work, and generally work more than 8 hours a day, and
help with Roller Derby? Not a lot of
time left after that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, I get the shop set up and…it starts to rain, or the wind
blows away my sandpaper, or the kids need some food, or I need some food. The distractions add up to not quite so much
time as I might like to play at my crafting hobbies. I think I do pretty well considering the
things fighting against me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But enough about the shop.
What have I been working on?
Since last labor day: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More bowls – some more successful than others – I tried some
Australian Myrtle bowl, that had really weird holes in it, and tried to fill
those with epoxy and turquoise and a variety of other materials, and I have
pretty much decided that it was a failure, and that I don’t really like working
with Myrtle – it tears too easily on the lathe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Broken bowls<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alligator Juniper on the other hand is fun to work with –
smells nice, is soft but turns well, and is pretty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maple is one of my favorites now – and I re-handled (again) the
Kershaw Antelope II that I found and modified.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bottle Brush wood<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And some others<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two Leather Bracelets<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A mess of pens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A quiver for the arrows that a second degree friend made for
me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A pouch to match the quiver<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A pen case<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few shaving sets, and extra brush handles. Manzanita with
turquoise and copper accents, Myrtlewood, and Juniper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I’ve roughed out a few knives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I broke a few too – I don’t know if I got the metal too hot,
or the anvil was too cold, but I broke two with two blows of the hammer. I’m
going to reclaim 4 knives out of the two larger ones if I can.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also broke my favorite hammer handle (birdseye maple) and
replaced it with Hickory.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been dreaming about making another laminated longbow,
and have put together a couple of potential risers, and trying one more time
with a salt cedar self-bow. I don’t
think I am going to back it this time, we’ll see what happens.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And since I have been working with a retired judge on and
off, I am working on a gavel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That looks like a lot of stuff – and here I thought I was
slacking off?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-78631387582334964512015-08-25T12:39:00.001-06:002015-08-25T12:39:27.976-06:00USN - Knives and Pens galore<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My friend Pat has invited me to share his table at the Usual
Suspects Network annual show in Las Vegas for Labor Day weekend.<br />
<br />
This is
intimidating because: <br />
1. I have never
done a real knife show;<br />
2. They are a tactical crowd and I don’t really do tactical;<br />
3. I don’t really like people all that much and have a hard time pushing my own
work;<br />
4. I don’t really know how to price this stuff, and general just wing it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That said, I am interested and very curious if I can sell
any of my work – be it classic or tactical.
I’ve also decided I should do some tactical style knives to increase my
chances. I’ve got some designs in mind
already – just need to have the time to put them all together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then there are the sheaths.
People like to have places to keep their knives, and I can make leather
sheaths of various styles. BUT…tactical
people like kydex, which I find to be noisy.
So I need to figure out if I can felt-line kydex to make it quiet. And figure out if I can make kydex sheaths at
all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Experimentation is expensive and takes time. So I need to buy a kydex kit. I want to try wrapping handles, so I need
some cord – but not just plain Para cord.
I should probably buy some taps and dies and get some other screws for
handles. I need more leather to build
sheaths for the knives I already have.
It may seem like September is a long way away – but it feels like next
week. (Update 5 - Now it IS next week).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Update 1: I haven’t made it that far yet, but making some
knives has been fun – I think I want to do a couple machetes as well – which are
a pain in the butt since they are so big.
I’ve started a kerambit of sorts, and a tanto, and a short bladed stabby
knife, and a unicorn shank, ok so the unicorn shank isn’t very tactical – tacky
maybe.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gny87bKUQUk/Vdyzd4Mlb-I/AAAAAAAABD4/gnOpQYN_DfM/s1600/Unicorn%2BShank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gny87bKUQUk/Vdyzd4Mlb-I/AAAAAAAABD4/gnOpQYN_DfM/s320/Unicorn%2BShank.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
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Unicorn Shank - Twisted CruForge V with Cocobolo and Ebony Handle.<br />
<br />
<br />
I’ve looked for better cord than para, but haven’t been very
successful, the options seem to be dyneema, spectra, and Kevlar, but they all
have some problems, so I may just go with para after all. Boring, but what
people are used to. And available in a rainbow of colors…like black…or drab…or
rescue orange, because really, who needs any other colors?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lu9ZZU1Aeu4/VdyzeuIKUcI/AAAAAAAABEI/OwtZKTLvSow/s1600/IMG_20150621_174313352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lu9ZZU1Aeu4/VdyzeuIKUcI/AAAAAAAABEI/OwtZKTLvSow/s320/IMG_20150621_174313352.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
Update 2: I want to make the knives black or grey. Seems like the style for these things. I was going to use GunKote – which I have
used in the past, but my can of it seems to be dead, and although it isn’t hugely
expensive, shipping is ridiculous and I haven’t found it locally yet. I may check a couple gunsmith shops this
weekend. There are a couple of other
options. Bluing the knives, dipping them
in acid, mixed mustards, and probably some others as well.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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I did pick up some paracord – went with Digital camo. Should look good with black. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I still don’t want to do sheaths.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also have an idea for a knife that may take precedence
over the machetes – especially since I don’t have the metal for machetes at the
moment. Hmm…don’t have enough for that either. Guess I need to buy some steel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
Update 3: <o:p></o:p></div>
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I blued the tanto and the kerambit. I paracord wrapped the tanto – which I think
turned out pretty well, but I may have my friend rewrap it since I am new at
this. The kerambit got M3 Lava
macromolecular material, which I think turned out beautifully. It was my first use, and is kinda pricy, but
so far I’m pretty impressed. I’d
definitely use it again. I think it would be pretty sweet on the kind of
tactical folder that I don’t make. :/<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEKTg1iVJwI/VdyzdHagsdI/AAAAAAAABDw/jxYTvvKyj-I/s1600/Tactical%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEKTg1iVJwI/VdyzdHagsdI/AAAAAAAABDw/jxYTvvKyj-I/s320/Tactical%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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The stabby knife got an acid-wash, and a coyote tan canvas
micarta handle. I wrapped it with
paracord too, for good measure. I think
they all turned out well, but the kerambit is definitely the most elegant.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I started a couple more kerambits since I liked the first
one so much. I may even try to make an
inside curve to the blade. I don’t currently have anything particularly good to
grind that curve, but I bet I can manage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also have ideas for friction folders, which I haven’t done
yet. I keep trying to decide if I want
to buy some titanium to use as a liner.
Decisions, decisions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Update 4:</div>
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No friction folders in the short term at least, no time
before the USN Show.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The 4 loophole knives are coming along nicely – 2 kerambits and
two scimitar bladed. Cutting ¾-1” holes
is a pain in the butt. I’ve got them shaped and quenched and tempered, now I
need to spend the time finishing them and putting on the edges. I have 2 weekends left!<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the meantime I did build 15 bullet pens…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gq4L-uqjf3c/VdyzWAibhWI/AAAAAAAABDc/2QbVs6oCx-4/s1600/August%2B2015%2B-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gq4L-uqjf3c/VdyzWAibhWI/AAAAAAAABDc/2QbVs6oCx-4/s320/August%2B2015%2B-2.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KF4c7D1Vqw0/VdyzWOebgiI/AAAAAAAABDY/tsLbqWdm5rQ/s1600/August%2B2015%2B-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KF4c7D1Vqw0/VdyzWOebgiI/AAAAAAAABDY/tsLbqWdm5rQ/s320/August%2B2015%2B-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PiN1GQ-Molk/VdyzWAoIc9I/AAAAAAAABDg/HjwWIN7sqGA/s1600/August%2B2015%2B-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PiN1GQ-Molk/VdyzWAoIc9I/AAAAAAAABDg/HjwWIN7sqGA/s320/August%2B2015%2B-3.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I was also thinking about rehandling AR86. I don’t like the way the handle turned
out. That is what I get for using
man-made materials. But I have some
others – so IF there is time, I will strip it this weekend and shape the
replacement. While finishing the other
4.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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I still need to carve in all of the numbers and logo’s also.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Update 5: In taking the handle off AR86, I snapped it in half. I was in a bad mood and did some stupid things - like cutting myself with a hacksaw. Never work in your shop when you are in a bad mood. I've turned it into something new now, but that wasn't the plan.<br />
<br />
I did finish AR94 - A Maple handled knife - specs to come later...<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2KKAuOhdT8/VdyzdmLtFTI/AAAAAAAABD8/l3dHbYY44pQ/s1600/AR94%2BMaple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2KKAuOhdT8/VdyzdmLtFTI/AAAAAAAABD8/l3dHbYY44pQ/s320/AR94%2BMaple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Pretty sure I'm not going to have many sheaths for the show...</div>
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A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-60721441957273924112015-08-25T12:12:00.000-06:002015-08-25T12:12:13.666-06:00Another Archery Project<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
So, since my red oak and fiberglass tape bow broke. And my salt cedar bow broke. And my at home
laminations failed and broke, I decided to try something closer to a kit bow,
and as I mentioned in a June post, I ordered a lamination kit from Bingham
Projects. The kit I ordered was: 50#,
clear glass, maple outside laminations, Action-boo core laminations, and a
strip of core-tuff. I didn’t order any
riser material since I have wood, but I did buy a couple strips of tip overlay.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The lamination kit arrived superfast (USPS Priority) with
the instructions and blue prints a few days later. I started by laminating my riser material
together. I had just purchased a lovely
piece of curly maple from Albuquerque Exotic Woods locally, so I cut that down
the middle and layered in a strip of Cocobolo that was about the right
size. After glue-up and rough sanding
that seems to have gone pretty well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qzmf4xEyt3U/Vdyuj7FbhcI/AAAAAAAABCI/d1VKqd8V0BY/s1600/IMG_20150623_191019809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qzmf4xEyt3U/Vdyuj7FbhcI/AAAAAAAABCI/d1VKqd8V0BY/s320/IMG_20150623_191019809.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next step was gluing the parallel laminations. This took a little more work and a little
more glue than I expected (I’m using Smooth-On epoxy). It was a really windy afternoon. I lay down some non-stick paper, then the
fiberglass, added glue, then glued one side of the maple strip, lay down the
maple, glued the other side, glued the 1<sup>st</sup> bamboo…core-tuff…bamboo…paper…then
put it in my flat form and clamped it down.
Got back to it two days later and took off the paper and sanded off the
excess glue. Looks pretty good so far.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Step three – Rough shape the riser – So I cut out the curves
with my bandsaw then smoothed the curves on my belt sander. Still looking pretty good.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Glued on the riser, and the last maple lamination and
fiberglass back – and put back in the press.
I used the negative riser curves to try to get a good press for the laminations
up the sides of the riser. It worked
pretty well, but not perfectly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7KnP0pivio/Vdyuns-zwMI/AAAAAAAABCg/uoS7EufCF8A/s1600/IMG_20150704_105639789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7KnP0pivio/Vdyuns-zwMI/AAAAAAAABCg/uoS7EufCF8A/s320/IMG_20150704_105639789.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After a little cleanup, I put the blueprint over the bow,
traced out the design, and rough cut it with my band saw. I decided that I would make it the maximum
length that I could, so it’s currently about 72”. I hope it works. More cleanup with the belt sander and its
starting to look like a bow.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Did some work on the riser to add a grip and arrow
rest. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Almost the last step – I added a couple layers of phenolic
material to the tips to reinforce it for modern strings. Now I just need to
shape the tips, carve in the string notches, and then try to string it. I’m
afraid it will break. It stressed me out
badly enough the other night that I couldn’t sleep well. Your hobbies shouldn’t stress you out should
they?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3wJcLMHkPFw/VdyulaZT7NI/AAAAAAAABCY/G9CH1iHO6bA/s1600/IMG_20150704_104916029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3wJcLMHkPFw/VdyulaZT7NI/AAAAAAAABCY/G9CH1iHO6bA/s320/IMG_20150704_104916029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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SUCCESS! – It’s all put together and finished. Pretty! It’s
a little lighter than I had targeted. The kit that I bought (at 68”) was
supposed to be #50, but this one (at 72” overall) is <a href="mailto:#37.5@28">#37.5@28</a>
according to my scale. Nice weight for a
target bow. I’ve got a 68” Flemish twist
dacron string that works pretty well, with a brace height around 7.5” to avoid
smacking my wrist. I’ve tried it with
the Nice! Archery arrows that Robert put together for me and it shoots them
pretty well and consistently. It doesn’t
do quite so well with the aluminum shafts – too stiff I guess. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2c2wbxKzWL8/VdyuiDe6GeI/AAAAAAAABCA/B4pffUVXDl0/s1600/IMG_20150704_104833989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2c2wbxKzWL8/VdyuiDe6GeI/AAAAAAAABCA/B4pffUVXDl0/s320/IMG_20150704_104833989.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I bought a set of test wood arrows to figure out the right spine - but haven't tuned it in yet. I also had a custom FastFlight flemish twist string put together by one of the local shops.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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I’d hoped that finishing one successfully would cure the
bug, but apparently not. I’d like to try
something similar with a little reflex and at a little higher weight, but same
length. Maybe a little darker color- or
with some fancier veneer, or maybe with some carbon. But it will have to wait a little while, there are
higher priority projects.<o:p></o:p></div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-4643491710284593192015-06-19T12:31:00.001-06:002015-06-19T12:31:46.166-06:00Kinderbox<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s all Erica’s fault.
Some time ago she started getting a gift box subscription. It is a monthly box (and payment) that comes
in the mail with makeup stuff she likes.
We wondered what other subscription boxes were out there…turns out that there
are about a bazillion. I finally found one that didn’t cost too much and looked
pretty good…Kinderbox.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Now, if you are German, or took German, or speak German or
read it, you’ll ask, why would you want a box of children? I certainly don’t, I
have two already. I don’t really know
what the madness behind the name is, but my guess is something to do with a
Tinderbox, and really, the packing material inside kind of makes you think of
that.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
So far its been socks, firestarters, meat snacks, knives, socks, hygiene products, and a few other miscellaneous things - like meat tenderizer brass knuckles!</div>
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I think I am on my 6<sup>th</sup> box now, and although
there have been better and worse boxes, they have all been pretty fun. <o:p></o:p></div>
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January <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<br />
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February</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAlxUAxgOgA/VYRepnMweQI/AAAAAAAABBQ/INwKBx6z7OE/s1600/February%2BKinderbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAlxUAxgOgA/VYRepnMweQI/AAAAAAAABBQ/INwKBx6z7OE/s320/February%2BKinderbox.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
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March </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMNaoKvnRHA/VYReuxZT_3I/AAAAAAAABBc/M0KtrkzTyTo/s1600/March%2BKinderbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMNaoKvnRHA/VYReuxZT_3I/AAAAAAAABBc/M0KtrkzTyTo/s320/March%2BKinderbox.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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April</div>
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<br /></div>
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May</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X65MnBfd-ns/VYRewT_HVVI/AAAAAAAABBk/peXcknRacog/s1600/May%2BKinderbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X65MnBfd-ns/VYRewT_HVVI/AAAAAAAABBk/peXcknRacog/s320/May%2BKinderbox.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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June</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xsWLpwgVXEw/VYRek64N0jI/AAAAAAAABBE/6Y-zrt9t2Mo/s1600/June%2BKinderbox-reduced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xsWLpwgVXEw/VYRek64N0jI/AAAAAAAABBE/6Y-zrt9t2Mo/s320/June%2BKinderbox-reduced.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
</div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-32044996677326799482015-06-19T12:20:00.001-06:002015-06-19T12:20:46.677-06:00Taxes are done! And so is April and May and halfway through June…<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not a big fan of doing taxes, but they aren’t as hard as
some folks make them out to be. I used
to use the paper forms every year, but since Erica’s business has been doing so
well we started using TurboTax.
Unfortunately, this year I apparently didn’t take enough withholding so
had to pay a bit. C’est la vie. At least it wasn’t thousands…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Custom Knives<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I haven’t made a custom knife by request in a while, but not
too long ago I was contacted by an individual who had stumbled across this blog
and seen the Custom Kitchen Chopper that I made for my friend Bryan’s mom – an
unusual design, and not one that I ever expected to repeat. But that was the request, for something
similar, with different wood for the handle.
On further discussion, we decided to try a stone handle. I have some beautiful Picasso marble, that
was just waiting for this project, so I ordered some steel (15n20 in this
case), and have been working away at it. It’s a little thinner than I am used
to working, so more prone to warping. I
think I can correct it all… and it
worked! I think it turned out pretty
darn well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4oJlVSUiEgU/VYRcVRVmMMI/AAAAAAAABAg/UJgeCbW0tdg/s1600/IMG_20150528_194631308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4oJlVSUiEgU/VYRcVRVmMMI/AAAAAAAABAg/UJgeCbW0tdg/s320/IMG_20150528_194631308.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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AR91 – Custom Kitchen Chopper Mk2 – 8 ¾” Overall, 15n20
Steel blade, Picasso marble handle with Loveless Bolts. Leather Thong.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Other Knife Projects<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Since I bought some new steel, I started a few more
projects. I started a new drop point
hunter/skinner out of 15n20 – along the lines of the series I started last year
– We’ll see how close it turns out to the size and shape of the others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of my staff members talked about an Ulu knife, and since
I’d been thinking about making one of those for a while also, I started one of
those as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are also a number of blades that I started a while
back…long enough that I have no idea which steels I used for them. One looks like a steak knife at the
moment. The other… I don’t’ really know
how to describe it, basic knife? I also
have some blades that are potential folders, if I ever get around to making
them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8otXpvVqi5w/VYRcire-jEI/AAAAAAAABAo/WN9AC7vWauw/s1600/IMG_20150412_122903290_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8otXpvVqi5w/VYRcire-jEI/AAAAAAAABAo/WN9AC7vWauw/s320/IMG_20150412_122903290_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And I'm trying a couple of tactical knives...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zI39unHT79s/VYRcjYrErAI/AAAAAAAABAw/I0EtrYqP0Kc/s1600/IMG_20150603_204859606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zI39unHT79s/VYRcjYrErAI/AAAAAAAABAw/I0EtrYqP0Kc/s320/IMG_20150603_204859606.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<b>Archery<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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So, I’ve tried making a few bows now. My red oak bow with fiberglass backing was
pretty good for a little while, and then snapped. My salt cedar bow snapped the same day. I started another salt cedar bow, but it
broke before becoming a complete bow. So
I thought I would try something a little bit different, a laminated bow. So, I bought another piece of red oak, ran it
through the table saw a couple of times, and then re-laminated the pieces back
together, two of the pieces were about 1/16<sup>th </sup>inch and one about 1/8<sup>th</sup>
inch thick. I had purchased some carbon
fiber tape, so that went between the thick and thin, and fiberglass tape on the
front and back. I had no idea what the
draw would turn out to be, but I glued it all together (in a couple stages). I also put together a couple fancier pieces
of wood for the riser: Rosewood, a little strip of Honey Locust, and some
Bocote. After a little prep work I
glued on the riser pieces to the limbs (and some extra material for the nocks)
shaped the combination, filed the nocks and strung it up… It’s a little light – maybe 25-30# at
28”. I need to pull it with my luggage
scale, but that is my guess. It
definitely doesn’t have the snap that my recurve does, but it’s pretty
consistent. And, more importantly, it
hasn’t broken! And I spoke too soon, since it was a bit light I
thought I would laminate another layer on, and get creative with some
recurve/decurve. Looked good for a bit
but was REALLY STIFF – I used some Ipe for the additional laminations, and then
as I was getting it down to a useable weight….SNAP – it didn’t crack, but
rather snapped about in half. It looked
really pretty for a little while though.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, since this failed also, I am still thinking about the
next bow. I’ve ordered a lamination kit from Bingham
archery supplies. Pretty sure I can put
it all together. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Wood Working<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Obviously, I like to work with wood, and have griped about
wood allergies in an earlier blog. I may
have just moved to the next level. I didn’t do much wood work last weekend,
ripped a couple of boards (leopardwood and salt cedar), and that was it for the
wood, but I did stop by the Exotic Wood Store in Albuquerque, and the next day
my nasty allergic reaction to wood showed up.
I’ve never had a problem with the woods that I worked with, but it is
certainly possible that they had cut some that I am allergic to at the store,
and just breathing it in has set off my reaction. I apparently need to wear a respirator and
long sleeves at all times now. This does
not make me happy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>In other news, I’m a Roller
Derby referee again.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
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Not too long ago Duke City Roller Derby split into two
parts. My wife stayed with the original
group. I think at this point she is the
skater in the league who was part of it earliest in its existence. Granted she did take some time off for
children, and we did move to Oregon for a year, but still. I have a long standing connection too, since
my friends John and Nan were part of founding it, and I’d come out to practices
when visiting. After later moving to
Albuquerque, I would hang out with the Derby people since they were the only
ones I knew, and before long I started Reffing.
Since the league split, my wife has asked me to come back and help out –
the game has changed a bit, but with a little luck I can manage. My first game back was April 18<sup>th</sup>. It went pretty well, awfully nice to have a
full ref crew. Don’t think I made too
many bad calls. <o:p></o:p></div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-10033608736805166832015-03-06T12:15:00.000-07:002015-03-13T16:13:26.853-06:00December through March and a collaboration!I think its good that I have things to talk about after 3 months.<br />
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<br /></div>
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The skinner collection, started off as six knives that were
about the same, and so far is 4 knives that are about the same and two that are totally different:<o:p></o:p></div>
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AR83 – W2, utility knife - sorry for the marginal picture<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ClIw51Jh0i0/VPoDosjIDzI/AAAAAAAAA_w/QSgSFHO4F38/s1600/AR83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ClIw51Jh0i0/VPoDosjIDzI/AAAAAAAAA_w/QSgSFHO4F38/s1600/AR83.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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AR84 and 85 – 52100, Drop point skinner - Presentation knives -Oak <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mcI8cLlkKo/VPn_dgYnzbI/AAAAAAAAA-s/Q_cjErY4qr4/s1600/Paguate%2BPresentation%2BKnives.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mcI8cLlkKo/VPn_dgYnzbI/AAAAAAAAA-s/Q_cjErY4qr4/s1600/Paguate%2BPresentation%2BKnives.JPG" height="170" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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AR86 – CPM 154, Drop point skinner - Ghost Jade G10<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjyvZ9wgGCo/VPoABingNYI/AAAAAAAAA-0/jiMhNnHOThA/s1600/AR86%2Bwith%2BSheath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjyvZ9wgGCo/VPoABingNYI/AAAAAAAAA-0/jiMhNnHOThA/s1600/AR86%2Bwith%2BSheath.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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AR87 – CruForgeV, Drop point skinner - Sweet Gum<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eENdgpB90QM/VPoARrKQ9bI/AAAAAAAAA-8/sQjB49OaObU/s1600/AR87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eENdgpB90QM/VPoARrKQ9bI/AAAAAAAAA-8/sQjB49OaObU/s1600/AR87.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also finished up the big Chef’s knife that I started
months ago:<o:p></o:p></div>
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AR88 – 1084, 9" Chef’s knife - Walnut<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QxyUy3KiFrE/VPoAlsb0tDI/AAAAAAAAA_E/36Zf2g-hegM/s1600/AR88%2Bin%2Bhand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QxyUy3KiFrE/VPoAlsb0tDI/AAAAAAAAA_E/36Zf2g-hegM/s1600/AR88%2Bin%2Bhand.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
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Christmas season is always nice because it is one of the few
times of year where people buy my stuff!
It is always rewarding to get rid of stock (old and new). Although I still dream about getting a fancy
belt sander, I’m unlikely to splurge on anything like that. I’d like to work on my leathercraft skills
one of these days (beyond just knife sheaths).
That way I could make my own messenger bag, rather than buying one from
Saddlebackleather! It would probably take
more time than buying, and might actually end up costing more, but then I could
say that I made it! And that would be
cool.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I could also definitely use some work on my joinery skills,
and general blacksmithing (not bladesmithing).
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Maybe some year I will take some classes or something.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I don’t do collaborations often, but I committed to
one. After getting started, I realized
that I don’t really know how to collaborate on arts and crafts projects. The concept was simple, I’ll make the knife
and you’ll do some etching and it will go together like bacon and eggs! Then I started the knife, decided on a style
(i.e. the metal decided where it wanted to go and I tried to make that work for
me.), picked some wood that I thought would contrast with the copper, heat
treated the blade, shaped the guard, shaped the handle, decided how big the
copper scales would be… then thought… “wait, I haven’t asked my collaborator
for any input at all!” Then started the
sheath, revised it, cut out a window for another copper window… still no
input. I’ve decided that I’ll just turn
it over to him in disassembled form, with some assembled pictures and say – its
ready, go to town, and hope for the best.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Here is an in progress picture. It will be AR90.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--OR4h_dLvXU/VPoBALj8c7I/AAAAAAAAA_U/LVexGCMfo4A/s1600/Collaboration%2Bwith%2BAustin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--OR4h_dLvXU/VPoBALj8c7I/AAAAAAAAA_U/LVexGCMfo4A/s1600/Collaboration%2Bwith%2BAustin.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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A friend of mine has a native flute that was missing a
totem/reed. Clan name: White, animal
association:Eagle. I haven’t done any
carving in a while. It’s hard. But I persevered and ended up with a kinda
cute, Northwest style bird that could be an eagle. I carved it out of Holly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rdB3NmtUPdA/VPoCY0RJHXI/AAAAAAAAA_o/MCPzPzTfX5A/s1600/Flute%2BTotem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rdB3NmtUPdA/VPoCY0RJHXI/AAAAAAAAA_o/MCPzPzTfX5A/s1600/Flute%2BTotem.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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I haven’t been very prolific so far this year. Most of my shop time effort has gone into the
collaboration knife. But I finished up working on another Puuku style
knife. I know Puuku’s don’t have choils,
but this one does, which I guess just makes it a knife <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> Not sure why since I still have two that
haven’t sold, but nonetheless, it is moving forward. It’s W2, and was originally going to be one
of the drop hunters before it cracked in a few spots. Not a fancy hamon, but visible. I need to work on my W2 skills. Oh well. Still need to engrave the number I
think.<o:p></o:p></div>
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AR89. Masur Birch and Brass with red accent - W2 Puuku.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wvt83sxZVtE/VPoBEV2Y__I/AAAAAAAAA_c/wHftyDc4cfE/s1600/AR90%2B-%2BPuuku%2BStyle%2B-%2BBirch%2Band%2BBrass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wvt83sxZVtE/VPoBEV2Y__I/AAAAAAAAA_c/wHftyDc4cfE/s1600/AR90%2B-%2BPuuku%2BStyle%2B-%2BBirch%2Band%2BBrass.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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It’s been a little while since I talked about archery. It was a little frustrating to have my Red
Oak Bow and Salt Cedar Bow Projects both fail on the same day. They have now been combined into a small
combination red oak/salt cedar takedown to replace the Pine one that I made for
Autumn. Still not the nicest to shoot,
and I worry that it will crack too, but it at least will stick an arrow into
the target. I'll see if I can put in a picture next time...<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I’ve also been dreaming about a long bow, just not sure if I
want to buy an new fancy one, a used fancy one, a partially premade one, or the
parts to make one. I have enough nice
wood to make the riser just fine, but I’d need the laminations – since my self-bows
haven’t been too successful. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Part of me wants the bow to be MINE – and I’ve got some
ideas, but I want some of the work to be taken out. Bingham and 3Rivers both sell
what I need, but Bingham will sell me a package that has the approximately
correct draw weight, which I might mess with anyway – because I am like
that. I’d also like to try a little
reflex/deflex action, a slightly radiused riser, and a variety of other more challenging
things. We’ll see how it all turns
out. I wouldn’t mind making my own
laminations also – so I might do all of these things. </div>
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<br /></div>
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In my spare time…Did I
mention that Erica wants me to start reffing again? I should probably practice
that too.</div>
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<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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That said, I really enjoy my Sammik Journey, and have been
shooting with it regularly in the back yard.
I can get a little more than 20 yards worth, and my grouping is getting
better. I bought some fancy arrows a
while back from Robert at Nice! Archery in Albuquerque, and they are DEFINITELY
nicer than the cheap (less than half the price) ones I picked up at Sportsman’s
Warehouse – fly better, group better, etc… but I am getting better with those too. And take-down bows make a lot of sense, since
you have the option of not having a 6 foot stick sitting in your back seat/hand/backpack.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think that's enough for now.</div>
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A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-33394831873700646642014-11-03T12:33:00.000-07:002014-11-03T12:33:32.660-07:00How to survive the Zombie Apocalypse and other items<div class="MsoNormal">
Zombies are popular these days, and have shown remarkably
good resilience. I remember about 7
years ago, Erica and I thought that we should start up a restaurant called
Brain O’Brains, a zombie themed pub (just think of all the options with eggs
alone “this is your brain on…” , we knew it would be a hit, but decided that it
would be too much work. Anyway, Zombies
are cool, and people post zombie killing tools in all kinds of forums, so what
would I do?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I guess it would depend on the type of zombie…are we talking
World War Z zombies? Night of the living dead zombies? 28 days later zombies?
Shaun of the dead zombies? Can your zombies climb trees? Do they think? Are
they fast or slow?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Generally, I think the best method would be to avoid the
zombies, and avoid civilization. Seems
like zombies usually like to congregate where there is good food…zombie food at
least. Most of the epidemics don’t seem
to impact wildlife populations either, no zombie deer chasing down other deer,
zombie birds attacking other birds, etc…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So, best case, slow, stupid zombies that can’t climb. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Worst case, fast thinking zombies that just want to eat you
but can do pretty much whatever you can, but don’t feel pain, or need to rest.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I’d probably leave town, head for the hills, and hope to
deal with smaller numbers of whatever kind you happen to have.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Equipment-wise, I’d want some basic hand tools to build a
shelter. Some non-perishable food to tide me over if possible when hunting is a
challenge, or there are too many zombies about.
A good recurve bow and lots of arrows with some extra strings to hunt
with, not a gun, since noise seems to attract most zombies. And some sort of blade on long stick. That way, you can hide up in the trees and
lop the heads off of passing zombies. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A machete is a good tool for close in work (if you don’t
have a handy tree) or an axe, which is probably a better tool, but the short
edge makes the decapitation swing a bit more challenging.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The inspiration for this post, other than the many zombie
movies and shows over the past few years, was the Machete that I just finished. It’s not quite a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zombietools.net%2F&ei=0dVXVMPcE832igKD8oDgAQ&usg=AFQjCNFYBA-a8SNbHIBrng7klyIvzOkF0w&sig2=HF9ZbYTQOALmnh45K0tR6A&bvm=bv.78677474,d.dGc">Zombie Tools</a> machete, but I’m
still pretty happy with how it turned out.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r5iwx2xB1Rw/VFfWXW1uSwI/AAAAAAAAA90/CAvIScs-GUg/s1600/AR82%2BMachete%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r5iwx2xB1Rw/VFfWXW1uSwI/AAAAAAAAA90/CAvIScs-GUg/s1600/AR82%2BMachete%2B2.jpg" height="101" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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AR82 - 1095 high carbon steel Machete, peened blade with
carbon scale left on, 17 ¼” Blade; 22 ¾” overall. Bubinga handle, with steel pins, leather
thong.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I also received another rusty knife to clean up. It’s an old
Kabar two blade folder. I’m still torn
about reconditioning knives, but generally if that’s what the owner asks for,
that’s what I’ll do. The remaining scale was Delrin, made to look like Jigged bone - I replaced the missing one with elk.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHorgej1vL0/VFfWwTzKRAI/AAAAAAAAA98/izULVU12MOA/s1600/Cleaned%2BKabar%2B1184-open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHorgej1vL0/VFfWwTzKRAI/AAAAAAAAA98/izULVU12MOA/s1600/Cleaned%2BKabar%2B1184-open.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sadly I haven’t made any progress on my folder
projects. I still need to do quite a bit
of work on the blades, and that’s before dealing with the handles. The long weekend didn’t help me any. Too much to do: The New Mexico State Fair,
taking Autumn to Bandolier, dealing with a computer hack. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did make some progress on a special order – unlike my
standard one at a time, always different, I am working on six(!) that are all
the same style! I am doing them in 4
different steels, CruForgeV, CPM154, W2 and 52100. It will be interesting to see how they all
turn out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLf5G2g2Xso/VFfW7kMJWTI/AAAAAAAAA-E/zKpjZGrklzw/s1600/IMG_20140928_123504_809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLf5G2g2Xso/VFfW7kMJWTI/AAAAAAAAA-E/zKpjZGrklzw/s1600/IMG_20140928_123504_809.jpg" height="320" width="288" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Update: Tried water quenching the W2, and cracked both of
them. I am salvaging one as a much
shorter knife. I was hoping for a more
dramatic hamon, but it is still pretty subtle, even at 2500grit. I’ve tried a little acid etching, but not
really impressed with how that has turned out either. Either way, it’s almost time to add the
handle. The other handle is turning into a hidden tang
knife, and will be quite a bit smaller than the others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the 52100’s are the most similar, I am using oak for the
handles since it fits with the concept I am going for. I dyed the leather
liners mahagony, but I think it will be pretty subtle since a lot of it will
probably get sanded away. I’m debating
doing some file work on the spines, and will probably do some wood burning on
the handles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uw1SV3BwjdY/VFfXKxnWaOI/AAAAAAAAA-M/Tmgn-6LLdP8/s1600/IMG_20141102_162711_538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uw1SV3BwjdY/VFfXKxnWaOI/AAAAAAAAA-M/Tmgn-6LLdP8/s1600/IMG_20141102_162711_538.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The CruV (not pictured) is much
thicker than the others and stretched so much that I had to trim it down again. After reshaping the distal taper it’s just as
lon as the others again. I am using the
hammer texture on the back half of the blade of that one – I like how it is
turning out. My plan is currently to
leave the texture, but remove the scale.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I haven’t made much progress on the big kitchen knife that I
started, but its getting closer. The bolsters to make it into a faux integral as intimidating. One of these days I guess <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZmNxc1XomQ/VFfYPuyQOZI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/dWSjpXuYRWE/s1600/Halloween%2BPens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZmNxc1XomQ/VFfYPuyQOZI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/dWSjpXuYRWE/s1600/Halloween%2BPens.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also cranked out a bunch of pens, and have been selling them pretty much as fast as Erica posts them :)! .<o:p></o:p></div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-90796197431217550432014-09-04T12:30:00.000-06:002014-09-04T13:05:37.250-06:00September roaring in like a lion?<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
So the July update never happened, and neither did the
August, and here we are at September. I
have a few projects going on, and they all move slowly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Little Penny turned 3 already in July, I turned 41, and
Autumn started Kindergarten. There have
also been various work events, and derby things to get in the way. Life, as always is busy. I’m still sitting on gifts (now for CHRISTMAS
and Birthdays) for my nephews too; I am a terrible person. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So what do I have for a progress report:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Bows and Archery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->I decided that SCB1 didn’t need to be a 70#
monster. So, I thinned it down a little
bit, I haven’t scaled it, but I am guessing closer to 55# at this point. It works pretty well with my Nice arrows, as
does my Oak bow. I just need to practice
a lot more, on a less windy day. And I
need to work on an arm guard, since I am sick of having a mildly bruised wrist.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xE8XhGFj0Q/VAi1lGixpEI/AAAAAAAAA9E/R0SF05Bw1T8/s1600/IMG_20140613_115144_616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xE8XhGFj0Q/VAi1lGixpEI/AAAAAAAAA9E/R0SF05Bw1T8/s1600/IMG_20140613_115144_616.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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Update: I guess I should say
“worked”, I broke both of the bows <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span> The Oak cracked in half, the salt cedar
appeared to just crack at the fiberglass, but when I reglassed it, it cracked
in the same places. Better luck next
time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Salt Cedar Bow 2 (SCB2) was making progress, but
stalled after breaking the others, I am letting it season a bit in the shed,
and hoping that reduces its desire to crack.
Right now I am thinking I will try to make it more flat, like the oak
bow. We’ll see. I think I will make it relatively thin, might
layer something else over, like a modern laminate bow. Not sure at this point.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In the meantime, Erica bought me a bow for my
birthday. It’s a Sammick Journey 66”
takedown recurve. I think that my 400
spine arrows are working pretty well. Not that I am a judge, but I seem to be
able to hit the target most of the time at 30 yards. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.oldbow.com/1_10_13/samick_journey_recurve_whole_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.oldbow.com/1_10_13/samick_journey_recurve_whole_2.jpg" height="57" width="320" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Forges and Knives<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In the forge I have also made some
progress. I am still working on
a 1095 Machete. It looks pretty cool
right now. I peened along the back edge – like the uncle
Jed’s country skinner I made a while back.
I like the effect. All it really needs now is a handle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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o:title="" croptop="4449f" cropbottom="5928f" cropleft="18404f" cropright="9011f"/>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFirVWyJeP8/VAi1u2EU1oI/AAAAAAAAA9M/p7Qx5xk-_CM/s1600/IMG_20140902_191629_601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFirVWyJeP8/VAi1u2EU1oI/AAAAAAAAA9M/p7Qx5xk-_CM/s1600/IMG_20140902_191629_601.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->And I also finished a nice little Wharncliffe EDC
knife in a more modern style, despite the W2.
I went for a hamon of course, because they add interest value, but it
wasn’t very impressive. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Kvhs_o54AY/VAi1xTmP32I/AAAAAAAAA9U/htcl0p2pL3I/s1600/IMG_20140713_134029_547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Kvhs_o54AY/VAi1xTmP32I/AAAAAAAAA9U/htcl0p2pL3I/s1600/IMG_20140713_134029_547.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
Usually I quench and temper my
knives before taking out all the scratches, which makes getting rid of them a
severe challenge. This time, I sanded
the blade to 220 first, and it was MUCH EASIER to get the rest of the scratches
out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
I picked up a variety of G10
handle material too. If you follow my
work at all, you probably know that I prefer working with natural
materials. I get the point of the modern
stuff, but just think that wood is prettier.
So far I’ve made two plastic handles,
black canvas micarta, and white linen micarta. They both smell pretty
bad when shaping the handles. I haven’t
worked with G10 yet, but I hope it doesn’t smell as bad. I bought more military colors this time,
Ghost green and sand, black and grey.
The EDC has a black and grey handle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->9” Chefs Knife in 1084g is in progress. When I joined the facebook group Cool Knives
and Gear and posted pictures of my in stock knives, someone asked about a big
chef’s knife, so I decided to make another one.
It’s coming along pretty well, just need to Normalise, harden and
temper. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_cW_QbQRHFE/VAi16SMmg7I/AAAAAAAAA9k/4xduPESxhnc/s1600/IMG_20140809_143912_221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_cW_QbQRHFE/VAi16SMmg7I/AAAAAAAAA9k/4xduPESxhnc/s1600/IMG_20140809_143912_221.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->After talking about it forever, I finally
started on my Navaja. Have the blade forged out, but am missing some of the
folder hardware, and haven’t done any of the heat treat yet. Still needs more holes too – I haven’t
decided which order to do it all in yet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
e. I also finished AR 81, a nice mid sized knife. Blade is about 4 1/2, and 9 1/2 overall S35VN steel, Copper guard, Cocobolo handle with peened brass pins.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VltAObVEsSE/VAi11Gb4tOI/AAAAAAAAA9c/OlIX_5A7no0/s1600/AR81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VltAObVEsSE/VAi11Gb4tOI/AAAAAAAAA9c/OlIX_5A7no0/s1600/AR81.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->f.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->And I sold a knife! Haven’t done that in a while. My moonstone dagger <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Turnings<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Honestly, I hadn’t touched the lathe in a while
– at one point I decided I wanted to try to bore out a flute, but got
distracted, and haven’t played with it since.
There are a few pen kits that I should still make, and a light pull, and
couple other things that I have kits for, but motivation is low.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
So I made three pens (and most of a 4<sup>th</sup>) and a light pull,
this weekend. None of them are very
exciting, but they get the materials out of my shop. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->I have sold some things though which is pretty
cool, a couple pens, a bowl, a light pull, the last full shaving set!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-5375339750811204112014-08-04T12:35:00.001-06:002014-08-04T12:35:57.484-06:00Arts, Crafts, and Mechanization<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t mean to offend any machinists, craftsmen, artists,
hobbyists, or anyone else out there. Or to say that you can’t combine any or
all of the catagories. This is just a
ramble of thoughts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of the time I don’t consider myself to be an artist, or
really even a craftsman, despite making knives, bows, bowls, pens, and a
variety of other things. I am a hobbyist
or something like that. I don’t focus on
one particular topic, get bored easily with doing the same or even similar craft
work, and therefore, rarely spend enough time on a particular craft to get very
good at it. I often feel like my first
attempts at something are the best because I haven’t gotten bored with the
particular task. In my mind, Craftsmen
are those who take the time to get better and better at a particular
craft. So what are artists? I think they
are people who put a great deal of themselves into their work no matter the
medium.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So what is my point today? I see a lot of mechanization in
the field of knife making. And those
products tend to be cleaner and more precise than “handcrafted work”, and most
importantly – repeatable as long as the materials and tools hold out. I can’t do that as a hobby craftsman. I can make something that looks pretty
similar, but it won’t be the same. The hammer doesn’t fall in the same place,
the grinder (or sandpaper) marks are different, the gluing shifted slightly,
I burned my finger, the heat treat was
25 degrees different. I am not a
machine. So which is better? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neither. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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There is something to be said about the ability to repeatably
make an item, once you get the design and set up out of the way (something that
isn’t as easily done as said), and have the process for finishing put together,
pieces and parts “just” need to be assembled (see children’s toy assembly for a
simple vertion of “just”) and finished, not necessarily in that order. Mistakes may happen, but generally, the
process is repeatable. Repeatability
doesn’t mean that it isn’t art! But the art may be in the design, and assembly
and finishing rather than in the machining. I don’t know, maybe there is a grey
area.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is also something to be said about raw crafting – and don’t
get me wrong, I use plenty of tools, otherwise my hands would be burned bloody
stumps and I still wouldn’t have a product. But at the same time, I rarely
measure anything, everything is “by eye”, or until it feels right, or until it
fits. Yes, there is some rough marking
of important points, but either I or my machines aren’t that precise most of
the time. I have – rarely – attempted to
repeat a project, or make two of something, but inevitably, they are
different. I don’t know if the
unrepeatability of my work (by me at least) makes them more artistic. They generally don’t have the same level of
fit and finish as a machined piece, and overall may not be the same “quality”
but are they more because they are unique?
Perfect in their imperfection? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which would you rather have as a tool? Or as an object to set
on your shelf and look at? Does it make
a difference? Sometimes? If I make a bowl on my lathe – for me a
moderately repeatable task, although
there are likely to be slight variations in shape and size and thickness and symmetry. I would still rather have that hand turned
bowl on my shelf rather than a machine turned piece identical (except for the piece
of wood) in all dimensions to 50 or a thousand others. But a tool? A knife? Yes, there are machined
knives that are beautiful, but if there are a thousand of them are they as
beautiful? Why not? At the same time, the fit and finish and precision, and the
ability to tweak the process to make them even better in future iterations, has
a great deal of appeal. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you want the “best” of something, the ability to tweak
the design is key. Craftsmen can only achieve it over a great deal of time and practice
(Apprentice, journeyman, master), and although there are certainly different
skill levels of machinists also, specifications can be transmitted from one to
another and the results should be pretty close.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m sure that any Japanese swordsmith would cringe at the
plethora of very functional machined katana out there, but is the hand forged,
hand polished, version that much functionally better, or even more beautiful? What
if you consider that one takes 10 or more times as much time to make?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a bit jealous of the mechanized craftsmen, and I still
want a power hammer, but I don’t think that I will stop being a hobby craftsman
for now.<o:p></o:p></div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-25343886698564513892014-06-17T13:03:00.000-06:002014-06-17T13:03:52.981-06:00Salt Cedar Bow Update<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I had a little spare time over the last week, I worked
on Salt Cedar Bow 1 – </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f3u25Vchd6I/U6CPBrfQ7xI/AAAAAAAAA8s/sxPJoh_NpVU/s1600/IMG_20140613_154715_750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f3u25Vchd6I/U6CPBrfQ7xI/AAAAAAAAA8s/sxPJoh_NpVU/s1600/IMG_20140613_154715_750.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUiwyuYm5h0/U6CPBnBo3dI/AAAAAAAAA8w/xkaJTR0tZbE/s1600/IMG_20140613_154727_941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUiwyuYm5h0/U6CPBnBo3dI/AAAAAAAAA8w/xkaJTR0tZbE/s1600/IMG_20140613_154727_941.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUiwyuYm5h0/U6CPBnBo3dI/AAAAAAAAA8w/xkaJTR0tZbE/s1600/IMG_20140613_154727_941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is still a bit of twist to the bow, but it doesn't seem to have much impact on performance, and it seems to make the the string line up almost as if it was a centerfire bow.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I didn’t really have a target weight in mind, so it ended
up a little stiffer than I expected, probably around 70# at full draw. And it appears to handle that without any trouble.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ggC6SZm5Mo/U6CO_NcTaTI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/TDJJgXE4AtE/s1600/0612141929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ggC6SZm5Mo/U6CO_NcTaTI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/TDJJgXE4AtE/s1600/0612141929.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Again, I didn't do a fabulous job on the tillering, a bit softer on the right than the left.</div>
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I didn't measure the set, but it does hold onto some.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s relatively short, about 55” strung, but I think that it came
together very nicely in the end. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSPHGs5xyoA/U6CPAUILipI/AAAAAAAAA8k/p-VTLwT6uHw/s1600/IMG_20140613_115144_616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSPHGs5xyoA/U6CPAUILipI/AAAAAAAAA8k/p-VTLwT6uHw/s1600/IMG_20140613_115144_616.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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My arrows from Nice Archery came in this weekend also! Naturally, I didn’t have time to try them out
over the weekend, since my family just came home, and father’s day happened,
and the next three days have predicted 20+ mph winds, but they look very
pretty! I’m sure they will be
awesome. It will be interesting to see
how they do with Salt Cedar Bow 1. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I had
been playing with my one carbon fiber arrow and Autumn’s flimsy plastic ones,
and it seemed a lot more accurate with the floppy pink ones <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will have to make another one - good thing I have three more pieces. I think about 50# will be my target for the next one.</div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-78763249468021841072014-06-09T12:45:00.001-06:002014-06-09T12:45:27.462-06:00And that's not all<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In addition to working on the Salt Cedar bow this weekend, I spent some time on knives.</div>
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One of my co-workers asked me if I could make a machete, so I cut a big piece of 1095, and got started. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c71awmUp-GU/U5X63mwDY7I/AAAAAAAAA7E/FPDKHL0p3Ok/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c71awmUp-GU/U5X63mwDY7I/AAAAAAAAA7E/FPDKHL0p3Ok/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two forging sessions later</div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwqsMw_d6-g/U5X654iPyGI/AAAAAAAAA7s/b5KCTtDd4Ls/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwqsMw_d6-g/U5X654iPyGI/AAAAAAAAA7s/b5KCTtDd4Ls/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" height="192" width="320" /></a><br />
Its going to be a monster - If I remember right it started out at 21 inches (the Kindjal ended at 20), and its definately stretching a bit. I need to mitigate the curve some too - it looks fancy, but doesn't feel right yet.<br />
<br />
I put a handle on the Uncle Jeds Country Skinner MkII - its a pretty massive knife. Still needs a bit of finishing on both the handle and blade. Honey Locust handle, with a wrought iron guard.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TgjD-ZqTsxc/U5X63k2bqOI/AAAAAAAAA7c/C-gFNwboyHA/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TgjD-ZqTsxc/U5X63k2bqOI/AAAAAAAAA7c/C-gFNwboyHA/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As promised, AR70 got a brass pommel. Which still needs polishing... and the handle needs re-finishing.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6ThpprvPrI/U5X63ldsMhI/AAAAAAAAA7A/s_F-cnxBN4k/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6ThpprvPrI/U5X63ldsMhI/AAAAAAAAA7A/s_F-cnxBN4k/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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This little utility blade is also pretty old, but now that my carbide bits came in I can punch holes in metal again. Still needs a lot of finish work, but at least it looks like a knife now. No idea what they handle is made of -that's the problem with trying lots of different woods - they don't stay labeled long enough.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--aQT1em7H-0/U5X64OSfzHI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/_BKoLWRHFYw/s1600/IMG_0942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--aQT1em7H-0/U5X64OSfzHI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/_BKoLWRHFYw/s1600/IMG_0942.JPG" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And this is the revised Kershaw Antelope II - it had broken off in the handle, so i had to grind down the blade to get enough tang to hold the blade in place, and I like my handle better anyway :) I'll polish up the blade a little bit more too. Katalox handle.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6AlprKD9yN4/U5X64UiOZnI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/9YT9Uy5UMFo/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6AlprKD9yN4/U5X64UiOZnI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/9YT9Uy5UMFo/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here they are together for better sense of scale. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCnNTU0qHrc/U5X64_XQR4I/AAAAAAAAA7k/FUAa2U9NGc4/s1600/IMG_0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCnNTU0qHrc/U5X64_XQR4I/AAAAAAAAA7k/FUAa2U9NGc4/s1600/IMG_0944.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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I made this little S35VN stainless steel blade a while back, but never got around to it, but it came together nicely yesterday - just needs its mark, and it will be finished. Looks like it was in 2011 - my how time flies.</div>
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Its got an Amaranth (Purpleheart) Handle with Raaen pins, Nickle Silver Accents and an antler piece as well.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oY-bn84bgE4/U5X65q1U4mI/AAAAAAAAA7o/xC0q363uvms/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oY-bn84bgE4/U5X65q1U4mI/AAAAAAAAA7o/xC0q363uvms/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fancy!</div>
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<br />A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-32714201336260433512014-06-09T12:15:00.002-06:002014-06-09T12:18:22.673-06:00Salt Cedar Bow<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a new bow maker, I wouldn’t call myself a bowyer, I
certainly don’t have any experience, or much other than basic woodworking
skills, and who has relatively successfully made all of one bow, I immediately
did some research on what people thought about different woods. Everyone seems to think that Osage is great,
Yew is great, and lots of other will make a serviceable tool, or that lots of others
are awful. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Looking around for quantification I came across this article
at the Wood Database – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/bow-woods/"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">www.<b>wood</b>-database.com/<b>wood</b>-articles/<b>bow</b>-<b>woods</b>/</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #006621; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
In the article, the author (who, like me, isn’t a bowyer or materials scientist) came up with a formula that he thought might estimate the quality of the wood for making bows. I thought it was interesting.<br /><br />Then I thought about the scrap wood that I had lying around and remembered that I had a couple of Saltcedar/Tamarisk staffs. I looked at them and decided they were useless for bow making. But it got me thinking, I wonder what the physical properties of Tamarisk are. I checked the wood database, unsuccessfully. <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a little Googling I found the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fusers.teilar.gr%2F~mantanis%2Fathel-wood.pdf&ei=xsVzU4anMseLqAal1oC4Ag&usg=AFQjCNFJfeyO0pYWfJwxGQ-NB209QZ-N8Q&sig2=_7oTJia7MZ4whFgTALVuKw&bvm=bv.66699033,d.b2k">analysis of a closely related species,</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fusers.teilar.gr%2F~mantanis%2Fathel-wood.pdf&ei=xsVzU4anMseLqAal1oC4Ag&usg=AFQjCNFJfeyO0pYWfJwxGQ-NB209QZ-N8Q&sig2=_7oTJia7MZ4whFgTALVuKw&bvm=bv.66699033,d.b2k"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"> </span>Tamarix aphylla
– Athel Wood</a>, now, I know it’s not the same species, but it should be
somewhat similar, or not, so I decided to do the math…. MOR/MOE*1000 = bow
rating; 88.5/7533*1000 = 11.75!
That is up there with Yew and Osage.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So now I have to try it.
I found a nice 6’-ish 6” diameter log, which is mostly straight, and
split it into 4 staves. Two I had to
shorten due to some branching/knots, and they are closer to 5’. I painted some glue on the ends of all 4 and
put three into the shed to dry some. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I took one of the shorter pieces and started with that –
before it had much chance to dry. I
peeled the bark off the back and brought it down to a single growth ring. Smoothed out the sides and the belly a bit,
tapered the limbs and then put it away for a few days<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite liking the center cut of the Oak bow, I shaped both
sides of the center, and added a hard maple riser. There is fairly substantial twist in the limbs
at this point…might be something to letting it dry first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I ordered some more fiberglass tape for the back, and some
real bow epoxy, I can’t say I expect it to work all that much better, but who
knows. They arrived the other day. I also bought another string so I can play
with two bows at once. In the meantime I
foolishly messed with the string of the Oak bow, and I’m not sure </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I got it back
to the right length when I realized how stupid that was. Oh well, now I know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I may start playing with one of the longer pieces too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vs8ElqsgOvA/U5X2uhXEgrI/AAAAAAAAA6E/gPVwFGQahig/s1600/0510141103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vs8ElqsgOvA/U5X2uhXEgrI/AAAAAAAAA6E/gPVwFGQahig/s1600/0510141103.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oL4OxxG1qwE/U5X2um1HheI/AAAAAAAAA6I/r37oAKSNsRc/s1600/0510141117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oL4OxxG1qwE/U5X2um1HheI/AAAAAAAAA6I/r37oAKSNsRc/s1600/0510141117.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The last piece is the current experiment. It is one of the shorter pieces, and
definitely is not as stiff (at this stage) as my oak board bow was - but it isn’t as thick or wide either. I stripped the bark off of it, following a
growth ring – since that is the way most people seem to recommend doing
things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uECYSZ4UtQ/U5X2ubE_AJI/AAAAAAAAA6c/510UFalQrg0/s1600/0510141524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uECYSZ4UtQ/U5X2ubE_AJI/AAAAAAAAA6c/510UFalQrg0/s1600/0510141524.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EmwzfVLWEBM/U5X2vH8NWjI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/QNc1IYqRO7g/s1600/0510141524a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EmwzfVLWEBM/U5X2vH8NWjI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/QNc1IYqRO7g/s1600/0510141524a.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s not straight, has some twist, but I’m plowing ahead
with this one. I will probably back it
with fiberglass again, since it’s pretty cheap, and I think it stiffens things
up nicely, and should keep things from shattering if it all goes wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m going to use a hard maple riser this time, rather than
something more exotic, and I’m not going for a center fire this time, since the
stave isn’t quite as wide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pm9UIWlrUOQ/U5X2vUPLxiI/AAAAAAAAA6U/Idej5gwlaJM/s1600/0516141631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pm9UIWlrUOQ/U5X2vUPLxiI/AAAAAAAAA6U/Idej5gwlaJM/s1600/0516141631.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMWOpKbhhk0/U5X2wBN22PI/AAAAAAAAA6w/ae3pRALI9Vs/s1600/0516141631a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMWOpKbhhk0/U5X2wBN22PI/AAAAAAAAA6w/ae3pRALI9Vs/s1600/0516141631a.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My fancy epoxy came in, and I decided to make the bow
red. Here it is curing with the first
layer of fiberglass. So did my extra string.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qswPqdH3tOE/U5X2we_fQdI/AAAAAAAAA6s/rolAe2Gs0VE/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qswPqdH3tOE/U5X2we_fQdI/AAAAAAAAA6s/rolAe2Gs0VE/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We'll see how it progresses from here.</span><br />
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A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-49176212229088480252014-05-30T17:00:00.000-06:002014-05-30T17:01:04.023-06:00A Bunch of KnivesA Bunch of Knives<br />
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Good Afternoon Everyone, I had a couple of spare hours so I thought I would catch up and finish off a few knives. For most of them, the backdrop is my lovely, clean, blacksmithing apron.<br />
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AR69<br />
Large Tanto, W2 steel with hamon, 17" overall, 10" blade, Canarywood handle with carved titanium guard, brass Raaen Star in the pommel, and copper and brass pins.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U50DNwlO8YQ/U4kIcREzQjI/AAAAAAAAA5U/lSyJ24hrOpY/s1600/IMG_0931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U50DNwlO8YQ/U4kIcREzQjI/AAAAAAAAA5U/lSyJ24hrOpY/s1600/IMG_0931.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">AR70</span><br />
Simple blade knife. CPM154 stainless steel, 10 3/4" overall, 4 1/4" blade, Cholla filled with black epoxy handle, brass guard with brass Raaen Star in center. I will probably add a brass pommel, and repost a new picture.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxEvoN-kydM/U4kIctavSoI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/DxGxT8Z9QUw/s1600/IMG_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxEvoN-kydM/U4kIctavSoI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/DxGxT8Z9QUw/s1600/IMG_0933.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
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AR71<br />
Kindjal, 1084 high carbon steel, 20" overall, 14" blade, Tineo handle, Brass guard, Brass Loveless bolt, and copper and brass pins.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7U7DuKmEaw/U4kNNX_TvhI/AAAAAAAAA50/r5Dhm4DxdlU/s1600/IMG_20140529_122222_112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7U7DuKmEaw/U4kNNX_TvhI/AAAAAAAAA50/r5Dhm4DxdlU/s1600/IMG_20140529_122222_112.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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AR72<br />
Paring Knife, 1095 high carbon steel, 8 1/4" overall 3 5/8" blade, Oak handle with stainless steel Loveless bolts.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PZHN-ZG3owY/U4kIN8DA7QI/AAAAAAAAA48/W166Jk7rR6k/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PZHN-ZG3owY/U4kIN8DA7QI/AAAAAAAAA48/W166Jk7rR6k/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
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AR73<br />
Mini-Kindjal, 1084 high carbon steel, 10 1/2" Overall, 5 3/8" Blade, White Linen Micarta Handle, Brass Guard with black spacer , Brass Raaen star pins and powdered turquoise accents<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WbsrDS5kVq8/U4kINnRTYrI/AAAAAAAAA44/MV2R_aQa2tg/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WbsrDS5kVq8/U4kINnRTYrI/AAAAAAAAA44/MV2R_aQa2tg/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
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AR74<br />
Small knife, CPM 154 stainless steel, 8 1/4" overall, 3 1/2" blade, Redheart handle with Stainless steel Loveless bolts.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwO9mqZ79fM/U4kIfpVyzWI/AAAAAAAAA5k/5-cXw2hL6mw/s1600/IMG_0934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwO9mqZ79fM/U4kIfpVyzWI/AAAAAAAAA5k/5-cXw2hL6mw/s1600/IMG_0934.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
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AR75<br />
Drop Point Knife, W2 Steel, 10 3/8" Overall, 4 1/4" Blade, Wrought Iron Guard, Teak Handle with Stainless steel Loveless bolts.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DkpkG7jsDbw/U4kIW74jR5I/AAAAAAAAA5M/b5kvhD175ow/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DkpkG7jsDbw/U4kIW74jR5I/AAAAAAAAA5M/b5kvhD175ow/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a><br />
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AR76<br />
Paring Knife, 1095 high carbon steel, 8" overall 3 1/8" blade, Rosewood handle, Stainless steel Loveless bolts.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNbYdbSx5FY/U4kL9mtkccI/AAAAAAAAA5s/jjKWDv_AtwE/s1600/IMG_20140529_123918_926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNbYdbSx5FY/U4kL9mtkccI/AAAAAAAAA5s/jjKWDv_AtwE/s1600/IMG_20140529_123918_926.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also modified a Kershaw Antelope Hunter II that I found broken on the road. I need to clean up the blade before posting that.<br />
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And put together my first multi-blade folding knife kit. I put the blades in all wrong. Better luck next time. I'll get it up eventually too.<br />
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Some of them have been mostly done for some time, just needing their numbers and hallmarks, but it still felt like progress to "finish" them all. <br />
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Hopefully I will have a progress update on my Salt Cedar Bow soon, I just got in the fiberglass for backing it, and the epoxy should be in early next week.<br />
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<br />A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-78796628686485441012014-05-14T12:21:00.000-06:002014-05-14T13:23:41.180-06:00Recycling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A while back, one of my colleagues gave me the fin off of a
2.75 rocket . The look something like
this:<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v-ndiuzdh4g/U3PB-gMuxYI/AAAAAAAAA4c/MbdykmOtBZs/s1600/Rocket+Fin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v-ndiuzdh4g/U3PB-gMuxYI/AAAAAAAAA4c/MbdykmOtBZs/s1600/Rocket+Fin.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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He works for the Pueblo managing projects that clean up old
Department of Defense bombing sites, and other waste and debris – the Native
American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program. The Pueblo of Laguna has a few that were used
in world war two with ship targets and big bullseyes and that sort of
thing. Most of the debris is inert (like
the fin), but some is explosive and needs special handling. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, I promised I would make him a letter opener out of
it. After a year or two, and after some
thought, and after making some other letter openers, I decided to cut it in two
and to make two openers. Then my Dremel
tool burned out. Eventually I bought a
new one and finished the openers.
Nothing too fancy – one is ebony, the other is Bocote. The aluminum is
pretty shiny, not quite as drab as 50 years-worth of oxidation makes things,
but I’m sure it will calm down after a while.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MoTG1lSgYU0/U3PB-RVhnuI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/olgPfLKuME8/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MoTG1lSgYU0/U3PB-RVhnuI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/olgPfLKuME8/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal">
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I’ve also, again finally, started working on a folding knife
project. Some time ago I bought a number
of knife kits. I like the Bighorn, and
have made two of them, but decided I should try something else and picked up
the “rancher” a little three bladed slip joint folder. If you are familiar with Case knives, you’ve
probably seen something like this.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Once upon a time I intended the kit for an employee of mine,
but didn’t get around to it before he left.
Now I am thinking about making it for another one, hopefully it doesn’t
take me that long. One problem that I
have, is that I have no idea what the wood is that I’ve chosen for the
handle. It could be desert ironwood, but
I’m really not sure. Whatever it is, it
polishes up very nicely and has good shimmer (chatoyance is you prefer). We’ll see how it turns out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I wish they would make kits
with higher quality blades though – not that I have had problems with mine, but
something a little more exotic would be nice.<o:p></o:p></div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-42631533018172382372014-04-23T12:42:00.000-06:002014-04-23T12:42:01.296-06:00The Bow is done...<div class="MsoNormal">
The bow is done. And
now I want more <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
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So I learned a few things making this one – unsurprising
since it was my first one. I ended up
doing two coats of fiberglass and epoxy, since I sanded through the first one
in one place. I also clearly didn’t work
the bow enough while I was tillering, since a slight hinge appeared later
on. I also managed to pop the riser off
a couple of times, so I switched from epoxy to wood glue, and no problems after
that. But! I hit my target weight about exactly. My cheap luggage scale (about $10) reads at
39.8# at the cheek. I think my draw
might be a little short of 28” so I am pretty much on track there. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I also didn’t brace it quite far enough out initially, so
the string was pounding my thumb each time I took a shot. A slight shortening of the string, increasing
brace height, and no more problems. No
propeller to the bow so I guess I chose a good piece of oak. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g54xproNQmk/U1gHtybPIvI/AAAAAAAAA3o/3Hg_v5RFt8I/s1600/IMG_0875%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g54xproNQmk/U1gHtybPIvI/AAAAAAAAA3o/3Hg_v5RFt8I/s1600/IMG_0875%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P13bmfj7pHY/U1gHrz-EBmI/AAAAAAAAA3g/-RI-lCu0RNM/s1600/IMG_0874%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P13bmfj7pHY/U1gHrz-EBmI/AAAAAAAAA3g/-RI-lCu0RNM/s1600/IMG_0874%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now I have a couple of problems…I have one arrow, which
probably isn’t the right weight for the bow.
I’d like to have enough that I don’t have to go to the target quite so
often and can practice nocking a little bit.
I also don’t have a particularly good place to shoot. Not that this should be a problem in New
Mexico, where there is quite a bit of open space, but I need to find one.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_6VhHW0u1Kg/U1gH0vboh1I/AAAAAAAAA34/2NmJ7p9WZVE/s1600/IMG_0877%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_6VhHW0u1Kg/U1gH0vboh1I/AAAAAAAAA34/2NmJ7p9WZVE/s1600/IMG_0877%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjKQqlaJbtw/U1gHyIlsG8I/AAAAAAAAA3w/aAaN8jhJi7I/s1600/IMG_0876%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjKQqlaJbtw/U1gHyIlsG8I/AAAAAAAAA3w/aAaN8jhJi7I/s1600/IMG_0876%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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And now I want to make a couple more. I’d like to try osage orange and hickory and
a bamboo backing and a recurve or reflex/deflex of some sort. Obviously not all at once, although I guess I
could with a laminated bow. I’ll
probably order some fiberglass tape, and I wonder if I should try carbon fiber
as well? I don’t think I am ready for a
real sinew bow yet though. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cKue_UxpuY0/U1gH2ITqzLI/AAAAAAAAA4A/P-mRRQ1Ec_8/s1600/IMG_0878%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cKue_UxpuY0/U1gH2ITqzLI/AAAAAAAAA4A/P-mRRQ1Ec_8/s1600/IMG_0878%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now, I don’t really have the time to do any of this, but
having a successful first attempt is always invigorating, and having some (4)
of my co-workers ask to buy it is a pretty nice compliment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I took it in to NiceArchery here in Albuquerque, and plan have some arrows built for it. I’m not
quite ready to build my own yet. We shot it a bit in the store and Robert thinks it needs a 400 spine, although he was expecting it to need a 600. I'm sure I wouldn't know :) But I'll take his advice. Once I learn to shoot again, maybe some nice wooden arrows, but I'll go with the durability of carbon fiber for now.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I did make some slight progress on many of the knives too,
but they still aren’t done.</div>
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In other news, one of my awesome staff members made me some traditional Laguna shoes! No I am not pigeon toed, but it was easier to take the picture :)</div>
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Thanks Nevin!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-82902709670762328472014-03-28T13:02:00.000-06:002014-03-28T13:02:18.710-06:002014's first post<div class="MsoNormal">
2014 – The next quarter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wow, my last post was a long time ago. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I haven’t had all that much time to work in the shop, but I
have done some, I think I have about 5 knives that are up to the annoying and
boring parts – getting out the scratches, and polishing them, and smoothing and
finishing the handles. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fP_WkMkIkUc/UzXF8P5_BrI/AAAAAAAAA28/6cTj-hDOsnM/s1600/Knives+in+process.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fP_WkMkIkUc/UzXF8P5_BrI/AAAAAAAAA28/6cTj-hDOsnM/s1600/Knives+in+process.jpg" height="320" width="260" /></a></div>
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I haven’t worked on the razor again – so I still don’t know
if the handle is the easy part.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I made another Bloodwood bowl and discovered that the
allergic reaction wasn’t a fluke the first time. I also made a bunch of other bowls, a few
more full shaving sets, and tried some Antique Brass Bolt Action Pens (that I
don’t like as much as the gold ones). </div>
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I also started a red oak board bow – thanks to <a href="http://www.poorfolkbows.com/">www.poorfolkbows.com</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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I didn’t really know what I was getting into with this one,
but way back in the day I loved archery and bows and had a Robin Hood hero
issue. I’ll blame Errol Flynn for
that. I haven’t owned too many bows. There was the old long bow that my parents
found in a closet in an apartment many years ago that finally broke when I was
playing with it in the cold – probably still useable somewhere with a little
glue since the only thing that broke was the riser. Then a couple years later I bought a 35#
recurve at Pennsic. It didn’t move with
me from wherever I was, but stayed with my friend Dave, who used it and then I
think traded it for a crossbow. And I
haven’t had one since.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, I work for a Pueblo in the southwest, and am in charge
of Big Game hunting (among other things) and think about hunting more than I
ever did in the past. AND my daughter
saw “Brave” or as she calls it “Disney-Pixar Brave” because branding is
everything apparently. So I carved her a
bow out of a 2x2, broke it, then rebuilt it as a takedown bow. It’s cute, and it works pretty well. She is still having a hard time coordinating
everything, which is frustrating for me, but I think she’ll get the hang of it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, I decided I wanted one too – and then looked at how
much a decent longbow or recurve costs – I’m not really into compounds. And
decided to make one instead.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After a little searching, not too much, I found the <a href="http://www.poorfolkbows.com/">www.poorfolkbows.com</a> tutorial.
Now, I do have a few more tools than are used in the tutorial – a belt
sander, a band and table saw, etc… But
I’m still pretty much starting from scratch. I’ve ordered an adjustable Flemish
string from <a href="http://www.3riversarchery.com/">www.3riversarchery.com</a>
, since the twisted silk that I tried snapped. No I know that (twisted silk
cloth) isn’t a standard string, but I know they make silk strings, and that
silk is very strong, and I had a spool of it lying around. I also ordered a luggage scale so that I can
tiller the bow to the right weight; And built a tillering tree. And some car
repair fiberglass, with which I backed the bow.
So now I need to wait for all of that to arrive so that I can do the
next step – the tillering. Right now it
looks like it is pretty even, but I won’t know what the draw weight is at all
until the scale comes in (lots cheaper than an actual bow scale – hope it
works).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not 100% sure that the fiberglass and epoxy will be ideal,
but the glass was cheap, and the epoxy was in the shop already. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I guess we’ll just have to see how it goes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-44596339660537096172013-11-08T12:56:00.000-07:002013-11-08T12:56:00.500-07:00Hangedmandesigns etsy store is LIVEGood Afternoon,<br />
Just wanted to share that my awesome wife has made my etsy store happen. It will be a slow process to get acceptable pictures of all the items taken, edited, and posted, but we've started the process with a couple of bowls, pens, etc... Stop by and check it out!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HangedManDesigns">www.etsy.com/shop/HangedManDesigns </a><br />
<br />
<img alt="Small Decorative Katalox Bowl, Hand-turned, 4 3/4" in diameter, 1 5/8" high" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/029/0/8650703/il_170x135.522725248_hkpv.jpg" /><br />
Katalox Bowl<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Tamboti Barreled 24k Gold Plated Bolt Action Ball Point .30 Caliber Bullet Pen" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/030/0/8650703/il_170x135.522727098_s9cs.jpg" /><br />
Tamboti Pen<br />
<br />
<img alt="Ancient Kauri Letter Opener With A Chrome Blade, Office, Home Decor, Gift For Men or Women, Hand Made" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/023/0/8650703/il_170x135.521462492_tpbr.jpg" /><br />
Ancient Kauri Letter OpenerA. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-76290613148647474052013-10-29T12:17:00.000-06:002013-10-29T12:18:16.118-06:00Getting Closer...<div class="MsoNormal">
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After a couple weekends I have a few products available for
listing on the future etsy store. I’ll
be pulling out old stock as well of course, and have a variety of other things
to make before Erica takes nice pictures of things, but here are a couple
samples.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Shaving soap bowls, razor and matching stand and bolt action pens...<br />
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And more razors, stands and pens.<br />
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One of my challenges is remembering or figuring out what
type of wood I made things out of – especially when it’s one that I don’t use
often, or is an old scrap of something that I made a long time ago. Some woods are pretty unique and don’t cause
me issues, but as I expand my wood turnings, I am experimenting with more than
I’m used to. I’m also developing
allergies to some of them – not a surprise when it comes to Cocobolo, but definitely
a surprise for the Blood wood. I am now
intimidated by my block of Rengas, which has a warning on the wood indicating
that it is related to Poison Ivy/Oak and has similar compounds. Where is my Tyvek suit when I need it? And fully enclosed respirator?<br />
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I’m also learning that getting a nice even hollow grind is
hard, not sure how many straight razors I will ever end up with, but at least I
started <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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After stringing the bow I made Autumn, I tried it with a real
arrow, and snapped it in half. With a
little work, it became a takedown longbow, and works just fine. Her technique leaves a little to be desired,
but she’s working on it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RuWTqKA5Ce8/Um_6xUkZTrI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/ATqO9Z1ukyQ/s1600/IMG_20131027_192548_819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RuWTqKA5Ce8/Um_6xUkZTrI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/ATqO9Z1ukyQ/s320/IMG_20131027_192548_819.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<o:p>That's all for now folks.</o:p></div>
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<o:p>A</o:p></div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-81238674834870418082013-10-17T12:45:00.000-06:002013-10-17T12:47:45.906-06:00A new Etsy Store...HangedManDesigns<div class="MsoNormal">
Hanged Man Designs Etsy Store…<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s not active yet, but it will be. I’m intending this to be a clearing house for
my crafts, Knives, Pens, Bowls, Shaving Brushes, Pipes, razors (Mach 3 and
possibly straight) and whatever miscellaneous man stuff I manage to come up
with (not that women can’t use this stuff too-shaving with straight razors is
sexy!).<o:p></o:p></div>
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When it’s active, you’ll be able to access it at: www.etsy.com/shop/HangedManDesigns<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have managed to get a little bit of work done in the shop
over the last couple of weeks. One of my
friends, the amazing Pat Pruitt – check out his work at: <a href="http://www.patpruitt.com/">http://www.patpruitt.com/</a>, just got married, so I made a nice little bowl out of
bloodwood…and immediately developed a pretty nasty rash on the inside of my
elbows – didn’t realize I was allergic to it.
I know I am getting sensitive to coccobolo, but never had issues with
bloodwood before.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udFs7ueWoHA/UmAvk7u7vrI/AAAAAAAAA1g/5tUajjWtk6U/s1600/IMG_0899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udFs7ueWoHA/UmAvk7u7vrI/AAAAAAAAA1g/5tUajjWtk6U/s320/IMG_0899.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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I forgot to take a picture, but he was nice enough to take
a few for me for me - Nice work again Pat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As you know from the last post, I finished off my Kindjal
project – inspired by my friend Jason Marker of <a href="http://www.amalgamatedfiction.com/">http://www.amalgamatedfiction.com/</a>
who just wrapping up a Kickstarter for a Savage Worlds Role Playing game
setting: <a href="http://www.accursedrpg.com/">www.accursedrpg.com </a><o:p></o:p></div>
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I also finished up my W2 Tanto. Not at all a traditional handle, but I like
it, and that is what is important. It
has the best hamon that I have managed to create so far, nice and dark, but not
a whole lot of activity.<o:p></o:p><br />
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I’ve been working on a little 1084 mini kindjal – I’m
thinking that I will use a modern handle (canvas micarta), and making it my
interpretation of a Crysknife – without the worm tooth – since I haven’t been
able to find one yet. I’m still in the forging and shaping period of this one.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m working on a couple matching shaving sets – Soap bowls, Mach
3 razors, and badger brushes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ll be putting together another several bolt action pens –
at least a couple will be deer antler, and depending on leftovers, I might
manage to add a pen to the one or two of the shaving sets.<o:p></o:p><br />
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I started on another pipe, and have the materials for a few
more – might do a pipe and fountain pen set too – out of briar of course. If I can figure it out, I think it will be
two bents and a straight pipe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also tried to make my daughter a longbow. But I used an
old 2x2 pine board as the body., and as I didn’t know, but expected, pine isn’t
ideal for this sort of project. I fully
expect the bow to break either when I string it, or when I try to draw it. I also don’t know how heavy the pull will be.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lastly, I’ve decided to finally try my hand a couple
straight razors. VERY early stages, but it did get me to finally unpack my wet/dry
grinder that has been sitting in its box for over a year!<o:p></o:p><br />
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Hopefully, and update with a shop opening date will happen soon.</div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2459364689400660255.post-34971897793139363812013-10-14T12:48:00.000-06:002013-10-14T12:48:01.502-06:00Alloy Banding - Kindjal<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you ever searched for the answer to a question many
times, only to, much later, stumble across the answer? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Some time ago, I forged a chef’s knife out of 1084 steel:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7awe-LIfGs/Ulw6TfOzd2I/AAAAAAAAA0o/w6n38E55-FU/s1600/Chefs+Knife+Surface+Grain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7awe-LIfGs/Ulw6TfOzd2I/AAAAAAAAA0o/w6n38E55-FU/s200/Chefs+Knife+Surface+Grain.jpg" width="200" /></a>When I quenched and heat treated it, a weird zig-zag pattern
appeared. I got it to happen in another piece as well, but didn’t know what it
was. Apparently, I recently learned,
this is called carbon banding or alloy banding.
From the quench line to the edge, the steel reverted back to a plain
silver/grey. The knife is still sitting
on my shelf, so I don’t really know how the performance is affected. It’s still
pretty though. I’ll just have to see how
my current project works out, since I’m working in 1084 again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And this time…nothing, possibly if I hadn’t used clay to try
to get a pattern in the hamon; but who knows.<br />
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So here is the project…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not too long ago I started working on a Kindjal – in this
case a double edged slightly curved long knife, in the style of weapons used by
the Cossacks a couple hundred years ago. There are various stories about the
origins of the knife, but they don’t all agree, so that’s what I am calling it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I started off with a foot long piece of 3/8<sup>th</sup>
inch thick, 2 inch wide 1084FG steel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Over a couple of forging sessions I stretched it and shaped
it to about 20 inches of blade and handle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8hXNx9XxkE/Ulw7r5PIbkI/AAAAAAAAA1M/cJJZw9wLvBA/s1600/Stretching+steel+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8hXNx9XxkE/Ulw7r5PIbkI/AAAAAAAAA1M/cJJZw9wLvBA/s320/Stretching+steel+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I’ve mentioned many times that making something double edged
is a pain – and this was no exception.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the past I’ve gotten some interesting banding patterns in
this type of steel, so I thought I’d give it a shot with a clay temper, once I
got to that point.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Working with such a long blade was kind of a pain, because
the weight of the blade would bend the hot metal more than I wanted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The quenched blade did need some minor straightening as
well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After waaaaay too much time spent polishing (belt sander to
320, then back to 220 hand, 320, 400, 600, (ran out of 800), 1000, 1500, 2000.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L3Ms9cq5Lhs/Ulw7r0mFNNI/AAAAAAAAA1I/rlpy2b8sIe8/s1600/Polished+Kindjal+blade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L3Ms9cq5Lhs/Ulw7r0mFNNI/AAAAAAAAA1I/rlpy2b8sIe8/s320/Polished+Kindjal+blade.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
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There was a slight suggestion of a temper line towards the
handle, but a little acid failed to show anything else, so I buffed it back to
a mirror.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There were still a few irregularities along the back edge that
I took care of with a diamond file.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I went with a more traditional handle, 3/8” Brass for the
guard that will be just wider than the blade, stepping down to the grip, finally
stepping back up to a rounded pommel. I used a variety of pins to decorate the
handle – not quite what I was planning, but my selection of carbide bits is a
bit marginal at the moment. Time to buy
some more to match my collection.<o:p></o:p><br />
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I decided to go with a piece of Tineo (South American) for
the handle, fairly light colored wood, but with some flaming – I intentionally
chose a piece without much veining. I
turned the handle on the lathe and then flattened the sides for a nice feel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All that is left now is the final edge and marking the base
of the blade.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
A. Ringiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01234597193410820872noreply@blogger.com0