Tweeners

[Stoner creek]

I’m normally sick of looking at a longrifle for a few days after a build so I try to find something else creative to do. These two pieces were forged from end cuts of an Alabama Damascus billet. I got to spend some quality time with my belt sander and came up with this. The top one is a 3/4 stick tang and the other is a full tang peined over on the backside. I’m not and don’t pretend to be a knife maker but these two projects were fun. They ain’t for sale. One’s going to Ramer and the other stays home.

[sqrldog]

Good looking knives Wayne. Ol Hunter is gonna like one of them. He doesn't know it yet. He's the main muzzleloader youngster around.  A good grandson that loves to shoot a muzzleloader.

[webradbury]

Good work there! How did you darken the antler?

[Stoner creek]

Vinegar and tea bags simmered on the wood stove in the shop. I added a bit of fast drying black spray paint for the canyons on the horn then carded back with 4/0 steel wool.

[BOB HILL]

Fine looking knives, Wayne. Well balanced and graceful.
Bob

[Greg Pennell]

I like ‘em too. Nice work!

Greg

[David R. Pennington]

Nice. I have some sort of mental block or something, I have a box full of knife blades, some rough forged, some ready to handle. For some reason I can't seem to get motivated to complete them.
What do you etch with?
Was that commercially prepared billet or did you weld them up?

[Stoner creek]

Yes those blades were originally from a billet of Alabama Damascus. I forged them out to my shape.
 I use Archer Etch (Radio Shack) mixed 50/50 with vinegar. It only takes 10 minutes or so to etch. Wipe clean and rinse with water.  I then dipped the blade in ammonia, dry and oil.
David, that 2x72” belt sander sure was a game changer. All I had were files and sandpaper for 30 years. The sander cuts the blade work in half (at least).

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ..... Wayne,... any time you get sick of looking at one of your rifles, call me,... I'll be glad to look at any of them for a while,... !!!! .... HaHaHa,... btw,... great looking knives,... really like the look and shape,... probably balance really well, too,... regards,... CCF,... 

[Stoner creek]

Dana look me up at Wheeler. I might find one (knife) with your name on it!! I’m sick of looking at this new build already.

[B.Barker]

Nice work Wayne.

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ... Wayne,... you sure were quick to make that knife part understood,... !!!! ,... HaHaHa.... I believe we will both be easy enough to find,...... !!!,... only a month away,... !!! .... see you there,... CCF ...

[Stoner creek]

... Wayne,... you sure were quick to make that knife part understood,... !!!! ,... HaHaHa.... I believe we will both be easy enough to find,...... !!!,... only a month away,... !!! .... see you there,... CCF ...

I’ll have a fine rifle or two for sale at Wheeler. Maybe a southern iron mounted gun!

[sqrldog]

And here's the teener (barely just turned 13) that was the happy recipient of the top tweener knife. Hunter was thrilled with his new damascus knife. Thanks for your generosity Wayne. He'll make good use of it. He's dead set on killing deer with his flint rifle this year. We'll see if he gets to use it on a deer.

[Stoner creek]

What a fine young man! Let’s hope that he swallows the flintlock hook like his grandpa did!
Thank you for posting!!