Hickory Handled Rifleman's Knife with Skirted Sash Sheath

[nthe10ring]

I recently posted this piece over at Art & Jan's Blog and thought the good folks here might enjoy viewing also.



Although this is a new blade that I forged from 1084, the premise in my mind was that of an old blade, well used and worn but still going strong in a time when the price and acquisition of steel came dear, returned to a new life by being re handled in simple materials at hand, pewter from an old spoon, handle from and old Axe handle and fitted with a proper sheath.
Overall length is 12 inches with a heavily etched blade of 7 1/4 inches, forged from 1084. Peened through tang construction with poured pewter ferrule and butt cap. The handle is Hickory with some slight curl. Sheath is of cowhide in various weights with skirted sash retainer at the throat. Colored with some of my mixes.

Regards,

Jerry Fisher

[Sequatchie Rifle]

Nice lines.  I particularly like the sheath and the way the knide sits in it. Thanks for sharing your photos.

[bdixon]

Beautiful piece.


Brett.

[smylee grouch]

Wow, how did you get hickory stained that dark? I like your work.   Gary

[Don Getz]

Jerry......real neat knife, nicely done, now if you could only find a nice bag to go with it.......ha,ha...........Don

[gary ganas]

Jerry, yet another work of art. The knife and sheath are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.  Gary

[A.Merrill]

    Truly fine knife. I to would like to know what kind of stain you used.    AL

[nthe10ring]

Thanks for the comments guys, I appreciate the good words. As to the color its a combination of several dyes. In this case I used Fiebings leather  dye, the spirit based ones. I first dyed it orange and then rubbed it back with steel wool, doing this several times. Then I over dyed it with British Tan and rubbed this back with a piece of old towling, again several coats being careful of the sharp corners, till your satisfied with the color, Hickory doesn't take dye well so you have to coat and let it dry completely, then rub the blush off. Its best to slightly warm the wood when you apply these dyes. I used Tru-Oil as a finish , after the first coat, hit it with the British tan again, let it dry, rub it out and then put more coats of finish till it suits your taste.
Don- Yea i been pounding more steel than I have leather lately, but I have several bags in the works that I piddle with off and on. One nice German Yeager Bag with all the bells and whistles and another complete set that I have the knife, and most of the bag done, working on the horn now. If only the hands could work as fast as the mind. Hey Gary , glad to see you on the board.

Regards
Jerry Fisher

[nc_cooter]

Very nice package, Jerry. I like the lines on the knife and the sheath really pulls it all together. As far as your mind working faster than your hands, time will take care of that. They will become equal and slower.  Just ask any old phart like me.

[Bill-52]

Jerry,  Beautiful work.  I really like the simple elegance of both the knife and sheath.  Bill

[A.Merrill]

     Thanks for the reply an info. Keep up the good work.     AL