What's on my Bench Today?

Those are beauties Cris!
The more I look at your work the less I could understand why the hell haven't I ordered a custom knife yet.

 

Thank you @Anton!!

Probably because I still haven't made it to the steel yard to get the mild steel for tang blanks, lol .

 

This thread is seriously full of eye candy

 

Glad you're liking it my friend!!

 

They look great Cris

 

Hard to decide which of the shorty profiles I like more. Happy to see some longer blades again after your earlier misfortunes (though not so unfortunate for me...).

 

Well, it should be hard, lol…they're virtually identical .

Thanks on the longer blades. I'm pretty happy about it myself .

 

amazing looking stuff!!!

 

Well, what's on my bench today you ask? Is it a knife? Jewelry? Is it a tool?

No.

It's a place to put the bench!

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/for/4614504973.html

I got it for $800, and its much nicer than the ad pictures indicate. Hell, compared to my current 'shop' (which is basically a 12'x20' pop up awning with tattered plastic tarp walls and roof), its a suite at the Hilton.





The view from the door towards the back left. That overhead shelving is about 5' deep (the caged in area was a dog run, but there's no animal smell inside), and I'll probably narrow it a bit when I rebuild the place. I think 3' of overhead storage space on that wall will be more than enough. I'll likely build a bench under it for sanding and polishing work, since I'll be able to more easily hang overhead lights at differing angles.



The other side. The other nice thing is that the place is wired with three separate electrical outlets, and two overhead light fixtures. The walls are also insulated, so if I can do the roof and such, I can probably get some climate control in the place. Being in Phoenix...that's going to be pretty important. Working in my open air shop was rough this summer...working in an uncooled closed space would have been impossible.

So anyhow, most of my knife work is on hold until some time next week. We're going to begin dismantling it and moving it over the next few days, and I'm hoping I'll have it put back together by Monday/Tuesday. Once that's done...the serious work can begin .

 

And here I thought I was done buying knives...those are BEAUTIFUL!

 

Why thank you!! I only hope you all decide their appearance is surpassed by their performance .

 

Cris, I'm amazed at how far and how fast you've come with your craftsmanship. Beautiful work, keep it up.

 

Thank you for the kind words Myron! All I can say in response is that there is just SO MUCH inspiration on these boards, that I can't help but soak up craftsmanship by association. Seriously, every time I think I come close to the first rung of the ladder that leads to the bar...these guys raise it. I'm both humbled by their work, and honored to be in a forum listed alongside theirs.

Truly.

 

ahhh, shucks!

 

Hey man, you're the one that showed me there was a freakin ladder! A guy can only jump so damn high!!

 

Old bandsaw tires (it looks like mostly electrical tape to me, too).


New bandsaw tires!

I paid $50 for the saw, $25 for the new blade, $20 for the new tires...and this thing's running like a dream! All that's left is to replace the old belt with a new link belt, and wire in an on/off switch...and she'll be at least as good as new...62 years after the fact!!

 

Signed and ready for final polishing and mounting .

 

that mark is classy. Beautiful blades Cris!

 

Thanks Brad!!

 

Yes, great looking blades, and like the mark as well.

I know I'll probably slap my forehead when I get the answer, but what is that inside the C in your mark?