Brokenolmarine

The blade blank, rough bolster, and original bone came from Jantz Knife Supply in Davis, OK knifemaking.com Great People, friendly and helpful. I have the wood for scales, lots of it, so I don't have to buy that. I'm a woodworker at heart.

After making knives for everyone else for Christmas, I decided to make one for myself. Not that I needed one, but I wanted to try a couple things, and apply some of the lessons learned. First, I wanted to improve the polishing I had done on the past Bolsters, and had been researching techniques. I used three levels of rouge after working up to 800 grit sandpaper. The brass turned out pretty well. I also wanted to try a bone accent between the brass and the wood scales. Using leftover bone from a previous build, I did just that. A lot of hand fitting, but it turned out okay. NOT perfect, but okay. Then, I wanted to choose the perfect scales for MY knife. I thought Walnut. Nope, not enough Figure. Curly Cherry. Nope, the grain wasn't "Deep" enough. Then it hit me. A few years ago, I had cut down the silver maple we had planted at the old farmhouse in VA the first year we moved in. Twenty Five years later, Woodpeckers and Bugs had killed it. When I cut it up to burn, I discovered the bugs had spalted it. So, it got run thru my bandsaw mill and stacked to dry. I have made presentation and keepsake boxes, and knives. So... this knife would have scales that would have a sentimental connection. We moved from VA to OK two and a half years ago, selling one farm and buying another. I took my time, getting each step as close to RIGHT as I could before moving to the next. I was pleased with the knife when I judged it done. Of COURSE I noted areas where I could improve on the next one. Don't we all? Then on to the sheath. Normally I basket weave or tool them. I am never happy with my carving. This time, I decided to do Oak Leaves and Acorns for the practice. If it didn't turn out, I'd start over. Miss Tina liked it, so I kept going. I was happy with the stitch lines, and I tooled the back with a quilted pattern just to practice. I painted the background on the front of make the carving pop. I'm good. Not perfect, but the boss likes it and her opinion matters. The knife fits, and won't fall out. I doubt it will get worn much. I don't work around the farm, that's Tina's job. Her livestock. The only thing left here is about three coats of wax on the scales and the sheath. I'm happy. Next up? Thumb hole sling for both our rifles, or a full gunbelt for the Uberti .357 Single action. Belt, Holster, and Sheath. Haven't decided yet.

Outstanding. It's a representation of the relationship you have with the students that you come in to find Bender waiting.

A2, My son did four years in the Coast Guard, served on a Cutter out of Little Creek, The Albocore. It has since been decommissioned and sold to a foreign power. (Forgive me, anesthesia from 29 surgeries... My memory isn't what it once was... ). He was on terminal leave and headed for a job in Texas to work River Patrol for Homeland Security when he and his family were T-boned by a drunk in a dually pickup doing 70+ mph that ran a red light. My son was waiting to make a left turn. The first deputy on scene called him in as a fatality. They airlifted him when he gasped for breath. He was in a coma for several weeks. Took years for him to recover. I hated troubleshooting that kind of problem, the worst was troubleshooting, identifying the issue as a bad component. The new one comes in, you install it, and... No Joy. Retroubleshoot... Same answer. Bad part from supply.

In working the pattern, I made sure to rotate the Basketweave stamp between each strike. To help insure this was done, I had marked the shaft of the stamp on four sides with the reference for the location of the orientation of the center accent line. horizontal or vertical. Forget to rotate ninety degrees and you throw off the entire effect. Don't ask me how I know this. In addition, I set up that woodworking square for the offset reference from the side of the strap. This insured that the spacing was as accurate as I could get it. I checked, and rechecked placement before EACH strike. I then was CAREFUL before the border stamps, so I didn't ruin the line of the edges. I think it paid off. Miss T pronounced the strap "Beautiful." She is not free with compliments. We have been married 30 years, she doesn't have to be. Still have to burnish the edges and apply several coats of finish after the antique dries. No rush. After I finish the strap, I have to start on Miss T's Christmas Presents. Two Knives, Two Sheaths, and a presentation box. That will be a labor of love.

Have been working on the new shoulder strap. Played with the tooling design and settled on the layout. I am using a squared basketweave stamp down the center in a single pass, and the same border as on the pouch. I put some wording on the strap instead of her name. "ALL" the grandkids call me the same thing. "Grumpy." Once we ordered the snap links for the end of the strap I knew the width and I could finish the ends... so I was able to dye, resist and antique the strap as well. The snap links should be here by the 13th and I can sew them into the loops at the ends. I am happy so far. The new strap on the right, old on the left: The end stepped down to one inch for the snap link: Before antiquing, I rubbed the entire strap down with mink oil to restore flexibility. It had hardened up from the dying overnight. Front, back and sides were all liberally coated and the mink oil rubbed/massaged into the leather. Then I buffed with a soft cloth. Then... and only then, antiqued. Antiquing the strap, note the lettering. In lettering the strap I used a light center pencil line, and a small woodworking square to insure the placement of EACH letter before striking the stamp. Slow and sure.

I will work up the pics tomorrow in the shop and post the how to HERE. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1eZFBwyHlHQ A couple key points. For a layout reference, you'll need very light vertical pencil lines 3/8" apart. Once you start the subsequent rows, you'll have THREE points of reference to align the stamp: The two diagonal corners on the stamp on the line... A third corner touching the adjacent stamp forming the heart. It's simple, if you are careful and take your time. Practice on scrap and you'll catch on quickly... Trying to freehand without the reference lines, is a trip thru frustration. Ask me how I know.

If anyone is interested in the technique let me know, I'll post it.

Since the project required a LOT of box stitching, I stitched the D-rings into place, and the strap by hand as well. Slow and sure to make sure the project lasts. My granddaughter always appreciates what Grumpy makes for her. Years ago, she asked that I make a cradle for her dolls. I made each of the Grandchildren a pendulum cradle when they were born, but since they were 1200 miles away, her mom told me not to bother for her. When she saw the cradle her cousin had, that's when she asked if Grumpy would make her's for her doll. Her mother called and asked if I could possibly make her one for Christmas that year. I had been saving a beautiful knotty pine board for years... and I put it to good use. I down sized the pattern to fit the doll. Miss Tina made the mattress, pads, sheets, and quilt for the mini-cradle and I paid the UPS store to pack and ship the whole shebang to OK from VA. JO would point to the cradle and tell everyone "My Grumpy made that for me." She was quick to remind her little friends: "You look with your EYES, NOT your hands." She still has the cradle ten years later in pristine condition, still displays an American Girl doll in the cradle, swapping the doll as the mood hits her. I wanted the pouch to last as long as possible. Nice to have someone appreciate your work, isn't it?

My daughter called and said that the Granddaughter wanted a pouch just like her hand tooled pouch I made her to carry her epi-pen's in. Jo has been stealing it to carry her phone and cash in when my daughter is using the red leather pouch. The daughter said that I could use my imagination to create the design for the tooling and I spent a week or so playing with scrap leather, trying to come up with something... rejecting most of the ideas, then I saw a video using the serpentine stamp to make hearts. The granddaughter is 16. Hearts it is. Slowly and surely I worked thru the process and knocked it out. It's done except for waxing.... Yup, I put the bling on the security strap. SHE's a 16 year old girl. I chose ruby red to go with the heart pattern. I had tooled the 60" across the chest strap, and while rubbing in the mink oil, I kept feeling a hard spot. I twisted the strap like a corkscrew, and found that there was a defect in the leather. I had bought a side, and I pulled it back down and saw that there was a discoloration on the underside of the skin about 8" long, barely noticable. When you flexed the side, you could feel a hardness, a scar of some sort. I cut that 8" out and recut the strap. I am remaking the 60" strap. Since I am remaking the strap I am rethinking the tooling. A little more intricate, but not carved. Not that good at that yet.

I bought two goose neck led floor lamps from Hobby Lobby, that are two stage: bright enough and super bright for detail work. I started with just one coming in from my left. I quickly found that invariably at the most critical juncture, the work was in shadow. On her next trip for quilting material, Miss Tina picked up a second light to come in from my right. HOLD the power on button, the light ramps up to OMG bright, hold it again, drops back to bright. Good lighting is a blessing for old eyes. Floor lamps don't bounce around when you are pounding on the bench at 120 beats per minute beveling a border.

I really like the carving. I have been practicing, but your leaves come to life. Mine still look flat and dead, though I am getting better. I'm watching a lot of videos, and working on the edging and lifting...

Nice work on a large job.

I finally finished the sheath for the Shawnee with the cocobolo scales as well. It took four tries to get it right. I didn't risk the Cowboy 3200, did the stitching by hand. I am still learning the 3200, don't have enough time on the machine to chance it. I did okay on the first, but the dark brown dye turned black on the second coat and looked awful. I thought the second looked good but my friend wanted the maker's mark on the front of the sheath so people would ask about it... and he could explain where the knife and the sheath came from. Since I have a duplicate blank to make for Miss Tina, I told him no problem, and asked if he liked the Basket Weave I used or wanted a different pattern. He chose a smaller basic pattern. We discussed a few other mods and I got started. I blew the third when I lost focus and the Basket weave pattern fell apart. As most of you know, that's not hard to do. Number four was a charm. I took my time and laid out the pattern around the maker's mark. Worked slowly on the tooling and hand stitched everything. She is done, and all that remains is waxing the sheath after the mink oil dries.

I finished the Damascus knife, went with HORN for the scales.

I spent most of my career as an aviation electronics tech, working on just about anything that had a wire running to it. The military figured out it was way cheaper to retain those with experience in technical jobs, than to train new people with no experience and wait for them to gain it. Hence, reenlistment bonuses. Some were higher than others based on additional certifications. For example, an airframes tech might receive $xx to reenlist. The same tech with (NDI) non-destructive inspection certification might get double, add upper level welding, triple. I don't know about now, but in my day, NDI techs could write their own contracts in the civilian aviation community, so they were hard to retain once they gained experience.

The Damascus blade barely started: I cut the birdseye scales, and laid them in place, but haven't formally started on them yet. I'll take another hard look at antler possibilities tomorrow before deciding. Then make my move. This friend has done a lot for me and I want to repay him with a gift that will knock his socks off. Good Guy. The Shawnee will be a knife he will use. The Damascus can be used, or displayed.

A good friend across the country was always commenting on the knives I put together. (I don't forge the blades, too many surgeries.) I kept telling him to choose a blank and I'd build him one. He finally chose, but I was disappointed as he originally said he wanted damascus and cocobolo. But the prices had doubled and tripled on damascus. He chose a modestly priced blank. Miss T and I drove down and I picked up TWO of the blanks he chose, in case I blew it, two bolsters, the Corby Rivets, and a few other things I needed. I also picked up a damascus blank as a surprise. I have the Shawnee Skinner and cocobolo done except for waxing, took it to 800 grit. I'll start on the sheath tomorrow, and finish the damascus blank out while the dyes and the glues are drying in the sheath process. I told him the sheath might take a few days. He knows I take my time, and he's excited. The damascus will get either the birdseye scales or I'll fit antler scales, haven't decided. The Shawnee:

Back in the early 80s, I got a nice bonus to reenlist in the Corps due to my specialty. I bought a pair of Pythons, sequentially serial numbered. Miami Vice was all the rage, my dealer got me a Zero Halliburton aluminum briefcase with the pullout block liner for the two guns. A year later, my daughter was born. My ex (yup, ex) had to have Ginny Lind furniture for the kid's room. The quality stuff from the exchange wouldn't do. So, the two pythons and custom case went, as did the Ovation Custom Legend 12 String... Never got back to playing. I was just finger picking John Denver for myself anyway... A friend gave me this shot... I took it.

Luckily, I'm retired. The watch will ride in a shirt or overall pocket. The fob should outlast ME. But, I have a couple Christmas gifts ahead of personal projects. Isn't that always the thing? Plus three knives on the "other" bench.

My Seal Team Luminox took a beating, working patrol, teaching on the range, and a few years at the desk until we retired. I replaced the strap four or five times. They never held up. I bet yours do.

Love the design, just picked up a pair of 6" Colts today. A Diamondback and a Python. That carving Rocks! I would have to make a two gun rig, if I was going to carry them. They are unfired 1980s models, but not for long. . I could make a presentation case, with a dual carving on leather inside the top.

Just like that. But looking at the watch again, I think I'd go with black or navy blue leather and orange thread. The watch is one of the Citizen's that you don't wind, it's powered by light, any light. Overhead interior lights, sunlight, whatever. The Blue Face, black bezel, and orange second hand would pop with the right fob. I might make a flap to cover the face to keep the scratches down. Another project for the leather bench. Priority goes to the tooled pouch for the Granddaughter, a Christmas Present "Request."

That looks great! I bought a very nice watch a couple years ago to replace my Luminod Seal Team Watch that finally died after fifteen years. Then fell and fractured my left wrist in two places badly enough they put a plate in it. Now I lost about 20% range of motion. Can't wear watches any more. Think I'll mount the new one on a fob, to carry in my pocket. Your stitch and leather combo is beautifully done, and would show off my watch nicely.