2025 Scholarship Auction Build

[civilsmoker]

That's awesome !

Thanks chop…..the shear length and complexity of a curved blade like that is hard enough but then add a complex Damascus pattern on top…..dad is proud!

Both blades look awesome. Excellent work.

Thanks dmp! We sure have fun doing it and I’m glad I can help raise funds for kids to deg a college degree!

So cool! Both you and your son create some very nice work. You taught him well.

Many than rafter! The boy is a sponge and we have lots of fun doing to together!

 

[Fueling Around]

Nice builds C and son
Taking a few years for what I've instructed my son from 10-15 years ago to get used today.
We'll be moving closer to him in the future so I can help him in his side business.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

Beautiful work, can't wait to see it finished...

 

[civilsmoker]

Tonight task was to finalize the guard…… Made a template and bingo all rounded, sanded it to 800 grit then black buffer bar with a red air wheel, it a satin buff…..then some cold blue splash to make it rustic……

The blade perspective of the guard….

The ratios look right now vs the previous square…..

I did the final 800 grit sand on the blade so it is ready for my makers mark and acid etch…..

I’m very happy with how this is coming together…… just not something you see in the standard glass case…..

Just one more blade side perspective….most of these bone handle knifes don’t have a guard as the are a challenge to make it look right……so I have been rather nervous to see it all together…..now me is

 

[civilsmoker]

Just a small update but one that really helps it come together.......I acid etched it and then electo-etched my makers mark then set the guard.... I really like the rustic guard!

Once the epoxy for the guard was set, ie 24 hours I pinned the "bone" on. I have shared this before but the trick to getting a very tight fit for the handle to guard is that it needs to be under pressure or load. Ie once you drill the hole in the handle you offset the hole in the hidden tang a 1/32 or so closer to the guard side. Then you taper the pin and use a drill to slowly "drive" the pin in. This makes a rock-solid connection for zero movement....... after the test fit, then fill the bone cavity full of epoxy and dive the pin in.....

The other tip is to tape the pin holes on the handle to keep the epoxy from making a mess.......

Next up will be to trim the pin and leather wrap the handle.......ie its getting close picture time....followed by the guard....

 

[Winterrider]

Looking awesome . . .

 

[bmudd14474]

Beautiful. I'd be proud to own that

 

[indaswamp]

Skilz!!! MAD SKILZ!!!!!!

 

[JLinza]

Very cool

 

[civilsmoker]

Looking awesome . . .

Thanks Winter!

Beautiful. I'd be proud to own that

Much appreciated bmudd! I'm hopeful the winning bidder has the same feeling!

Skilz!!! MAD SKILZ!!!!!!

many thanks swamp! me try....:-)

Very cool

Thanks JL!

 

[Fueling Around]

Another of your awesome builds there C

 

[civilsmoker]

Another of your awesome builds there C

Much appreciated FA!!

 

[civilsmoker]

Well this was a really good week to get things done……

Started off by milling the pin down……this is a perfect way to get the pin the perfect height without the risk of a file or saw blade slip…..3/16 pin 3/16 plunge bit….

It’s real magic work in the concave side….

Getting the leather wrap ready to dye and stitch….

Dye and cross stitch done….check check!

Doing a test sinew wrap and dye…..I like…. time for the real deal…..here is a trick to get the sinew to be tight and never loosen and be color matched…..ie first I brush some leather glue on the section to be wrapped, then wrap and use a needle to interlace the strands then when all wrapped you apply a good amount of leather glue over and saturate the sinew wrap, and when it’s just about dry you apply some gel die and work it in the sinew……see the result below…..

Ok so today was THE DAY…….on finishing I sat on my shop stool and found myself saying “DUDE!”

Just “DUDE!!”

Close up of the handle…..

Side two……

The “blade” shots…. As and fyi, I use 3200 to 12000 grit polishing pads to fine tune the etch color and ridge shine…… this one turned out sweet!

It’s almost like the fishhooks knew a spot was needed for my makers mark……

Needless to say I’m very pleased with the near final blade……this is the encore “DUDE!!!” pic…..

The 1775 American Frontier Hunter

Next up is making the scabbard……I’ve got some rustic ideas to match the handle (stay turned)…….

Once the scabbard is complete the final task will be making it into a paper cuter….ie sharpen it…..

 

[chopsaw]

Really nice work on that one .

 

[fumarone]

That is one very nice knife! You have a lot of talent. VERY NICE.

 

[JIMSMOKES]

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!

 

[civilsmoker]

Really nice work on that one .

Thanks Chop, I’m rather happy with this one!

That is one very nice knife! You have a lot of talent. VERY NICE.

Many thanks fum! It’s a fun/rewarding hobby as it has so many “crafty” elements to it….

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!

Thanks Jim! I’m hoping this will bring new bidders cause one of the past bidders isn’t going to be in attendance…..

 

[indaswamp]

Very nice knife!!

 

[JIMSMOKES]

Thanks Jim! I’m hoping this will bring new bidders cause one of the past bidders isn’t going to be in attendance…..

Is there online bidding?

 

[civilsmoker]

Very nice knife!!

Much appreciated swamp! It was a fun build with new “challenges” or elements to work through, keeps the mind active!!

Is there online bidding?

Jim they only did one online auction in the past cause of the “shutdown”. It’s usually a live auction with a auctioneer (about 650 in attendance, HD staff, commissioners, suppliers, and consultants), the raised funds go into a 501c3 that gives 100% of the funds to rural local highway district staff children for college or tech school scholarships (they have raised over and given out 143k since 2019 when they formed). This will be my 5th donated knife….. the 4 previous ones have raised a little over 5k for the funds…if they do a pre conference biding I will let you know!