Knife Handle - Fid Work

[jerryrwm]

Just a couple shots of a knife that I redid the handle on.

It was made by my grandfather in the 40s and as long as I could remember it had a deer foot handle.

When my Dad gave it to me, the original handle was broken and in really bad shape.

I fitted it with an oak handle and then did a little 48 strand fid work using natural roo.

Dad was pretty pleased when he saw it.

Jerry

(Tape on the blade to prevent severe bleeding)

Edited March 1, 2010 by jerryrwm

[megabit]

Very nice job.

[Butch]

Agree - Very nice. I have a knife my dad gave me a long time ago and have been wanting to do something similar, but I'm not quite there yet.

Great job

Butch

[KnotHead]

Super job.

[lilpep]

looks very nice !!

[Alan Bell]

Way to go Jerry! Way to go!! (as in High school cheering)

Vaya con Dios, Alan

[rawhide1]

Jerry

Very nice work. I've been wondering what makes a project be called fid work opposed to just regular braiding or knot building. I see the different patterns is that what makes it fid work. I was just wondering as there's been a few projects posted lately with fid work. Anyway very nice work.

Mike

[rgerbitz]

Nice work Jerry.

[jerryrwm]

Jerry

Very nice work. I've been wondering what makes a project be called fid work opposed to just regular braiding or knot building. I see the different patterns is that what makes it fid work. I was just wondering as there's been a few projects posted lately with fid work. Anyway very nice work.

Mike

First, thanks to all for the kind words. I had a good time putting that one together although it took a good while to complete. The other knife that grandad made is destined for a rawhide handle. Need to work on getting the strings cut and in order.

Mike, As I see it, "fid work" is braiding. It differs from what we term as traditional plaiting/braiding due to the fact that usually the foundation strands are put on first. These strands usually spiral in one direction around the project. The next set of strands that will complete the project are then braided/woven into the foundation. Since the foundation strands should be fairly tight, the use of a fid makes the weaving easier. Hence the term "fid work" One could braid/plait the same project in the traditional under/over sequence making the patterns as he goes, but since it is usaully many, many narrow strings it gets quite tedious and at times downright confusing and tedious.

Of course I could be way off on the explaination and totally mis-informed. But that's my story and I'm stickin' to it for the time being.

Jerry

Edited March 2, 2010 by jerryrwm

[Casey Jordan]

Nice piece of work there!

[rawhide1]

First, thanks to all for the kind words. I had a good time putting that one together although it took a good while to complete. The other knife that grandad made is destined for a rawhide handle. Need to work on getting the strings cut and in order.

Mike, As I see it, "fid work" is braiding. It differs from what we term as traditional plaiting/braiding due to the fact that usually the foundation strands are put on first. These strands usually spiral in one direction around the project. The next set of strands that will complete the project are then braided/woven into the foundation. Since the foundation strands should be fairly tight, the use of a fid makes the weaving easier. Hence the term "fid work" One could braid/plait the same project in the traditional under/over sequence making the patterns as he goes, but since it is usaully many, many narrow strings it gets quite tedious and at times downright confusing and tedious.

Of course I could be way off on the explaination and totally mis-informed. But that's my story and I'm stickin' to it for the time being.

Jerry

Jerry

That sounds good to me. Thanks for answering my question see I learn something every day!

Mike