Your honesty in making mistakes means more to me than the build. I’ve seen tons of your knives and I know ppl that would love to have all of those mistakes in their hand. I’m not a big fan of Damascus but that random pattern is real Knice. Overall build still came out real Knice. You adapt well to making new tools for the job.
Great build, James! I love the tools you built for this and I'm going to steal that kiss block setup. Great job, even though you point out some stuff you would fix, you learned a ton and it was super fun to watch!
@@RedBeardOps @Red Beard Ops I really love the fact that you showed us all the problems that you encountered in making this knife. It is still a very nice looking blade for sure. But I will admit that I voted for Tyrell Knifeworks blade. I loved the pattern and the whole knife is a work of art. I much preferred your blade to the second and third place knifes for sure. Every mistake is a chance to learn and better your skills. Mistakes are the best and hardest teacher for sure.
Really really appreciate the honesty, being honest about your mistakes adds a lot of educational value to your video, always a joy to watch your videos, thanks!
Hey man! Props to you for pointing out the problems so we can all learn from them! That being said I still love the end result. I say you made the most sleek knife of the challenge! Cheers!
I was about to type out essentially the same comment. We learn and improve by making mistakes. By showing yours, you end up helping us get a better idea of what to watch out for.
Wow! Another beautiful Damascus pattern - absolutely stunning. A big thank you for showing us your “mistakes” so we can all learn from them. That being said that is still a stunning Bowie knife that the vast majority of us would be delighted to have made in our home forge. Knife making is so therapeutic for me regardless of how they turn out. Taking raw materials and turning them into something useful and, hopefully, as gorgeous as this is awesome. Keep up the great videos. 👍
A great all day bowie knife ! It is often the small mistakes that make the uniqueness of the object ... your honesty is your value! I'm totally a fan 👍
I love that you point out areas where you made mistakes. That helps people like me that are still learning this art to be careful in those areas. Keep up the good work, I’m loving your work!
Voting has closed. Check out some of the amazing videos for the contestants below! The Participants: Aleeknives : ua-cam.com/users/Aleeknives B.Kohn Knives: ua-cam.com/channels/OdEhPeKNd8iI1eGM0QFjnA.html Black Beard Project: ua-cam.com/users/BlackBeardProjects Brackin Blades Forge: ua-cam.com/users/brackinbladesforge Encik Alee: ua-cam.com/users/EncikAlee Faraway Forge: ua-cam.com/users/FarawayForge Fire Creek Forge: ua-cam.com/users/FireCreekForge Green Beetle: ua-cam.com/users/GreenBeetle HANS: ua-cam.com/users/HANSworkshop House / Work: ua-cam.com/users/HouseWork123 Mystic Mountain Forge: ua-cam.com/users/MysticMountainForge Old Hickory Forge: ua-cam.com/users/OldHickoryForge Red Beard Ops: ua-cam.com/users/RedBeardOps RvD Knives: ua-cam.com/users/RvDKnives Sperber-Knives: ua-cam.com/channels/YgFiVrouzX5OH68ZJuXBWw.html The Rivers' Experience: ua-cam.com/channels/dYgdTzDUMUYlqbJOiyVLQg.html Tyrell Knifeworks: ua-cam.com/users/TyrellKnifeworks Wengels Workshop: ua-cam.com/channels/zGSxdiprFKcUqLxqLD6vGA.html
I love the learning process of knife making and its always good to see the trials and tribulations of fellow knife makers. I know I go through plenty but the learning process is the best part of making things. Great knife and I like the EDC feel of this knife.
I voted for this knife in the bowie knife challenge. The beauty in simplicity is something all the other contestants we're lacking. A knife is a tool, yours is simplistic, yes, but also utilitarian without sacrificing elegance.
I really appreciate your transparency in the process and thoughts. Your designs and classic and beautiful all the while executed really nicely. I’ve been making knives for over 40 years and mentored several a couple of which have gone on to become excellent makers. I own a Starrett hardness tester and I am very glad that I saved up and plunged for the tool. My confidence and ability to test blades is quite a bit higher although many seem to do well with out such an expensive tool. I confess that I have never used a file guide. All of my blades and guards (narrow tang) are hand and eye fitted. My only regret after this length of time is that I have never mastered the skill of soldering my guards. I don’t believe I actually need them soldered but I wish now I had learned the skill. For now, all of my guards are precision fitted (by eye and hand). The length of time is long but my pride is satisfied. God bless you and your channel. I appreciate the skill you have with both knife making and video production.
Honestly I enjoyed your honesty! I like the pattern Damascus because it is random. Thanks for the tips and tools included in the video. I truly wish I had the time, tools, space to to do something like this. For now I just watch and learn.
James, thanks for your honesty and your motive to help us of a lesser order. I still feel that the quality of your workmanship shows. And I will certainly make sure to build myself a guard jack. The last thing I want to mention is that art does not always comply with strict rules. I still like your knife a lot.
Wow you really made a cool pattern. Such a nice job on this. Mistakes are all part of the learning process. Sometimes making the mistake allows you to look at it in another light and come out better on the second go round. Keep up the great videos! Really like the channel and all the content
@@RedBeardOps I love how you made the tools that you needed during the build. I was actually shocked that you bought a tool! After your explanation it made sense. As aside, I have an idea as to how you could get that Rockwell hardness tester. I'll send a DM later this evening.
Your ability to make tools is awesome! And I'm with you hidden tang knives are tough. Getting the guard and handle fit up can be so difficult. Nice job James I think the pattern looks great!
Hi James, as everybody knows, knifemakers don‘t make mistakes, they just make smaller knifes..... You really left your comfort zone and you saved me a few f**k ups in doing so. Btw competing in this Build off against Denis on his Home Turf was quite brave to Start with. My Respect goes to Texas!
Good and educating video. Thx for letting us see all the misstakes, it makes us understand alot more. Im in the beginning of starting making knifes myself, this channel makes me wana do it even more. Keep up the good work m8! / Sweden
Great video mate and your knife turned out really nice despite the small mistakes. Thankyou for the commentary explaining your process and how you made those mistakes, very much appreciated!!
I like how you show how you make your tools. I was wonderin why you were makin with the wood clamp and was like man I woulda never thought about doin that. Great job brother.
When I started making knives I only made hidden tang and never had to many problems its been about a year since doing one till last week and I wonder now why I did hidden tang for so long. I like the Knife James its a good effort for someone who hasn't done many hidden tang
god. i wish i had a tenth of the tools you have. working with a walmart angle grinder and a 1x30 with some files is rough. i couldnt even begin to think about making my own tools to youe to make other tools. toolception. on a serious note, i am beginning to get into stock removal and want to thank you for the plethora of educational videos you have on the topic. ive watched your various bevel grinding videos multiple times and probably will more as i attempt to improve my own skills. keep up the amazing work. just know it is appreciated !!
Dude nice shop. A lot bigger than the garage you was in. I been MIA for a while but startin back up. Man your knives are great. And I am learnin a lot from your and other videos.
Excellent job. I just picked up a log splitter to convert to a press to make the forge weld process a bit easier, so making something like this is a way off, but videos like this keep the dream alive, and teach me what to do and what not to do. Keep 'em coming, please!!
I’ve watched a lot of your videos and I think your skill set is top notch! First time anything never turns out perfect! But it is a very custom knife and it looks great.
I came from Black Beard Projects after I heard about the build off. I like the end results of your knife. You earned a new sub from me and I will be watching your previous builds.
As I said in a previous clip, you’re critical eye looking over your own work is important and a key to getting better. The thing for me is, when I look at things you disapprove of, I always find myself saying, “Hell…that’s barely noticeable and seems to add more character to the blade than anything else. Although from a makers standpoint, you’d rather not have it there at all. Personally, I thing it came out beautiful. The steel was gorgeous and the handle came out great. But I’m an old man and I find myself looking past things and finding the best in my knives….keep up the great work, lad. You’re pretty far into the journey and we’ll on you’re way to becoming a Master Smith. Thinking yet of taking the test?
Thank you greatly Mike. I think I will go down the route of Journeyman one of these days. It takes a significant amount of time as you know! I'm going to need to get my skill set up first as well. Cheers!
We're all our own harshest critics, James. The centred pommel nut is noticeable - once you pointed it out - but I'd have struggled to notice the handle/ricasso alignment, I have to say. Great job overall, man 🙏🏻🇬🇧
Thanks man. The biggest issue on this knife to me was the damn alignment. The sad thing is that I could of avoided it, but I guess we have to learn some how! The next one will be better!
The HRC Japanese Made files set from I think 40- 65 HRC and when I used them many year s ago they worked perfect and I could get within 2 points of what the files found.
Dude, an actual hardness tester would be badass, but the files work too. I had the same irritating feeling about not knowing how hard my knives were besides "does a file skate"...it just felt too imprecise. So I bought a set of files and they gave me a LOT more info than I had before. My previous method was to take a new file and go by feel and sight, but after getting the file set I decided to revisit that method and that's when I realized just how little I actually knew about the hardness of my steel and how inaccurate that method was (and how much a file varies in hardness and sharpness). If you're really shooting for a particular hardness (say, 57-58), then a hardness tester will get you to that point...but a set of files will get you pretty close to that point as well with the right technique. Steel at 56 will be slightly scratched by a 55 file, but at 57 it's really faint, so you can estimate. Adding to that, you'll never get a homogenous hardness throughout the steel, so you might hit a soft spot somewhere or a harder spot, you never really know. Damascus is more difficult still, and even a dedicated hardness tester won't tell you the whole story as you have to average out a whole bunch of test points in a certain spot to get a reliable reading. If you do get a file set, don't go by the instructions and start with the softest and work your way up, start with the hardest and work your way down. Running a soft file over a hard knife will dull the teeth, leading to future inaccuracy, but you can always take a file scratch out of your blade. As for coating your stack in WD-40, that's probably just as good as dipping it in kerosene or Jet-A, the point is to fill the gaps with something that isn't oxygen or water. Better still is to get a tiny amount of flux in with it, and you can do that by mixing boric acid (not borax) with denatured alcohol or methanol. This gives you a liquid that not only displaces oxygen, but also aids in forge welding. The recipe is simple...just add enough boric acid powder while stirring until it becomes saturated and you get precipitate at the bottom. Jewelers use this flux at about a 50/50 mix and stir up the precipitate to get a better barrier on their pieces for soldering, but I've found that much acid isn't necessary for forge welding and could potentially cause inclusions if the gaps in the stack are big enough. Always add the acid to your solvent when mixing, not the other way around. I use an airtight ammo can to hold a gallon of the solution, because the mixture is hydrophilic and will be contaminated by moisture in the air. Dunk the stack and stir it around for a few second and you're good to go. You can also use it as a fuel in tiki torches to get a green flame, just in time for Halloween.
I picked up some knowledge from your message. I’m new to the knife trade and I’m looking for as much knowledge as I can get… what brand is your file testers?
Never seen one of these waterfall patterns before definitely gonna make one. Any reason you didn’t run in reverse just looking I thought it might be a little safer to use but obviously there could be reasons that you didn’t do that
I don’t know about you guys but I actually prefer low layer Damascus. Still wouldn’t want any for myself because I’m a form follows function guy, but the lower layers seem more primal and beautiful to me
Very informative thank you. You mentioned that you sprayed your stack with WD-40 to prevent oxidation. Do you still apply a flux (Like Borax) when forging the damascus?
Love the knife I would have used screw type fixing so could move the blades about And a tool where you have your spike but this is just my brain trying to make it practical when it is a fantasy knife lol Keep up the great work
Great looking blade, we learn as we go. At least you're honest about the issues you had so you learn from them. Someone else might try to fit a butt cap over the end to hide that issue etc. Good build and great to watch, listen and learn from :)
Hi James, nice looking knife- simple but very aestetic. You have a bunch of DIY tools in your workshop (that is cool- I'm also DIY guy). I'm curious, is there any advantage of "Guard Jack" comparing to simple hammering? Regards, David
I think it's personal preference. Just playing around with it really. I also like the idea of epoxying on the guard by itself with the guard jack installed, then coming back for the rest of the handle.... still figuring it out really.
@@RedBeardOps I would be afraid that the epoxy won't hold to the guard enough and fall off after few "fitning checks" - I like small pins - they work pretty well., but I get what you mean.
Nice video brother! I still wish I could get one of those magnetic chucks for my sga lol Oh and if you ever find yourself in the position with an unsquare block again... Reference off of your blade on 1-2-3 blocks instead (while you're scribing your lines with your height Gauge)
I get the point you wanted that to be in line, but for 99% those are happy little accidents not big mistakes. The back end one is a painfull one and a mistake one makes easily in the flow of makin a knife. still looks nice!
Hey man, love all your videos but i was wondering if you could possibly make a video on upgrades you would do to the harbor freight 1x30 belt sander when you have the time? There are alot of people out there that buy that to get started in knife making including me.
Hey Guys; going to post this in all the videos. Have to say lived these builds & was a HARD choice since we only get 1 vote. Would be better to have a 1, 2, and 3 choices since many channels have fewer subs but did great builds. That way there could be a bit more of an average top choices & determination of top 5 kind of challenge. @Tyrell Knifeworks got my vote but @Green Beetle, @Red Bears Ops, @Wengels Workshop were all right there at great builds for a 2 or 3 place fight.
This is late lol. But i got one of the grizzly hardness testers. And its been doing really well. It comes with test blocks, but i bought a phase 2 test block to verify also. And it seems to he spot on, on everything. Its been super useful for developing heat treatments. Though i mostly am using a bunch of crazy steels, and a lot of variety between them so it probably is much more useful to me.
@@RedBeardOps i highly recommend it. Even following datasheets. You never know if your kiln varies a little, or what. So it gives some assurance being able to verify your heat treatnents.
Your honesty in making mistakes means more to me than the build. I’ve seen tons of your knives and I know ppl that would love to have all of those mistakes in their hand. I’m not a big fan of Damascus but that random pattern is real Knice. Overall build still came out real Knice. You adapt well to making new tools for the job.
Thank you greatly Tim! I'm glad you enjoyed this one.
Great build, James! I love the tools you built for this and I'm going to steal that kiss block setup. Great job, even though you point out some stuff you would fix, you learned a ton and it was super fun to watch!
Thanks Tyrell, lost to learn over here for sure. I appreciate yall taking the lead setting up these challenges!
@@RedBeardOps @Red Beard Ops I really love the fact that you showed us all the problems that you encountered in making this knife. It is still a very nice looking blade for sure. But I will admit that I voted for
Tyrell Knifeworks blade. I loved the pattern and the whole knife is a work of art. I much preferred your blade to the second and third place knifes for sure. Every mistake is a chance to learn and better your skills. Mistakes are the best and hardest teacher for sure.
Really really appreciate the honesty, being honest about your mistakes adds a lot of educational value to your video, always a joy to watch your videos, thanks!
I appreciate that! Glad you're enjoying them sir!
Hey man! Props to you for pointing out the problems so we can all learn from them! That being said I still love the end result. I say you made the most sleek knife of the challenge! Cheers!
Thank you greatly sir. I enjoyed your build as well! These challenges are a good time; I'm looking forward to the next one.
I was about to type out essentially the same comment. We learn and improve by making mistakes. By showing yours, you end up helping us get a better idea of what to watch out for.
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@@yamahammer4413 ZZZa ZZZ,,,--,
Wow! Another beautiful Damascus pattern - absolutely stunning. A big thank you for showing us your “mistakes” so we can all learn from them. That being said that is still a stunning Bowie knife that the vast majority of us would be delighted to have made in our home forge. Knife making is so therapeutic for me regardless of how they turn out. Taking raw materials and turning them into something useful and, hopefully, as gorgeous as this is awesome. Keep up the great videos. 👍
Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed the build!
Your honesty about your errors is refreshing. That is still a beautiful blade. Nice work
I appreciate that! Glad you enjoyed the build!
Having full access to a quality machine shop has its perks. Thanks for showing it can be done without
A great all day bowie knife !
It is often the small mistakes that make the uniqueness of the object ... your honesty is your value! I'm totally a fan 👍
Thank you greatly sir! I enjoyed making this guy... there will be more to come!
I love that you point out areas where you made mistakes. That helps people like me that are still learning this art to be careful in those areas. Keep up the good work, I’m loving your work!
Glad it was helpful! Cheers Cary!
I like the concept on this. Nice little vest Bowie.
Thanks man! Much appreciated. Lots to learn!
Voting has closed. Check out some of the amazing videos for the contestants below!
The Participants:
Aleeknives : ua-cam.com/users/Aleeknives
B.Kohn Knives: ua-cam.com/channels/OdEhPeKNd8iI1eGM0QFjnA.html
Black Beard Project: ua-cam.com/users/BlackBeardProjects
Brackin Blades Forge: ua-cam.com/users/brackinbladesforge
Encik Alee: ua-cam.com/users/EncikAlee
Faraway Forge: ua-cam.com/users/FarawayForge
Fire Creek Forge: ua-cam.com/users/FireCreekForge
Green Beetle: ua-cam.com/users/GreenBeetle
HANS: ua-cam.com/users/HANSworkshop
House / Work: ua-cam.com/users/HouseWork123
Mystic Mountain Forge: ua-cam.com/users/MysticMountainForge
Old Hickory Forge: ua-cam.com/users/OldHickoryForge
Red Beard Ops: ua-cam.com/users/RedBeardOps
RvD Knives: ua-cam.com/users/RvDKnives
Sperber-Knives: ua-cam.com/channels/YgFiVrouzX5OH68ZJuXBWw.html
The Rivers' Experience: ua-cam.com/channels/dYgdTzDUMUYlqbJOiyVLQg.html
Tyrell Knifeworks: ua-cam.com/users/TyrellKnifeworks
Wengels Workshop: ua-cam.com/channels/zGSxdiprFKcUqLxqLD6vGA.html
Props to you for sharing the mistakes. It takes a bigger person to do that.👏👍
Pattern came out nice.
Thank you! Cheers!
Dig it man! Adjust adapt and over come. Fixing mistakes is what makes it hand crafted
Thank you!
I love the learning process of knife making and its always good to see the trials and tribulations of fellow knife makers. I know I go through plenty but the learning process is the best part of making things. Great knife and I like the EDC feel of this knife.
Thanks man. Lots to learn for sure. The next one will be better... and then the next, and the next. Cheers
The true test of a craftsman is not in the mistakes, but in the recovery from them.
You are brutally honest on your builds which I like . Great job Sir 👍👏 keep up the good work.
Glad you like that sir! I'll keep striving. Cheers!
I voted for this knife in the bowie knife challenge. The beauty in simplicity is something all the other contestants we're lacking. A knife is a tool, yours is simplistic, yes, but also utilitarian without sacrificing elegance.
Thank you greatly sir!
A true artist is always his own worst critic. Amazing work Red Beard !
Thank you greatly Matt! Glad you liked this one.
Great job James. It's great to see you forge weld and use your press. She's a beauty!
Thank you sir!
I really appreciate your transparency in the process and thoughts. Your designs and classic and beautiful all the while executed really nicely.
I’ve been making knives for over 40 years and mentored several a couple of which have gone on to become excellent makers. I own a Starrett hardness tester and I am very glad that I saved up and plunged for the tool. My confidence and ability to test blades is quite a bit higher although many seem to do well with out such an expensive tool.
I confess that I have never used a file guide. All of my blades and guards (narrow tang) are hand and eye fitted. My only regret after this length of time is that I have never mastered the skill of soldering my guards. I don’t believe I actually need them soldered but I wish now I had learned the skill. For now, all of my guards are precision fitted (by eye and hand). The length of time is long but my pride is satisfied.
God bless you and your channel. I appreciate the skill you have with both knife making and video production.
Thank you for the thoughts and tips sir. Cheers!
It’s a beautiful knife! Showing the mistakes are great teaching/learning moments.
Thank you Nicholas!
You win the award for the biggest damn block of green compound I've ever seen!! 😂
Honestly I enjoyed your honesty! I like the pattern Damascus because it is random. Thanks for the tips and tools included in the video. I truly wish I had the time, tools, space to to do something like this. For now I just watch and learn.
Thanks for watching!
James, thanks for your honesty and your motive to help us of a lesser order. I still feel that the quality of your workmanship shows. And I will certainly make sure to build myself a guard jack. The last thing I want to mention is that art does not always comply with strict rules. I still like your knife a lot.
Thank you greatly sir! Glad you enjoyed this one.
There is a boat load of helpful tips in this video! Thank you for making/posting it. Good lookin knife.
Thank you sir!
Wow you really made a cool pattern. Such a nice job on this. Mistakes are all part of the learning process. Sometimes making the mistake allows you to look at it in another light and come out better on the second go round. Keep up the great videos! Really like the channel and all the content
Thanks Dennis!
@@RedBeardOps you’re doing such a great job!! Keep up the great content please!
Great video, I appreciate all the advice you gave throughout. Looking forward to more videos from you, keep up the good work
Thanks Zachary! Glad you liked it!
The end of learning is the end of life! Just started watching your build, cant wait to see the finished knife :)
Thank you greatly!
@@RedBeardOps I love how you made the tools that you needed during the build. I was actually shocked that you bought a tool! After your explanation it made sense. As aside, I have an idea as to how you could get that Rockwell hardness tester. I'll send a DM later this evening.
Your ability to make tools is awesome! And I'm with you hidden tang knives are tough. Getting the guard and handle fit up can be so difficult. Nice job James I think the pattern looks great!
Thank you greatly! Lots of practice needed for sure! Cheers man
I LOVE your shop build. your tools and your presicion. Good to know our channel tnx to this event.
Much appreciated! Glad you liked it!
Cute wee Bowie. Love the honesty! Still turned out amazing
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent. I like that waterfall platten. Might have to build the same.
It did seem to work fairly well! I'll be using it in the future for sure.
Hi James, as everybody knows, knifemakers don‘t make mistakes, they just make smaller knifes.....
You really left your comfort zone and you saved me a few f**k ups in doing so.
Btw competing in this Build off against Denis on his Home Turf was quite brave to Start with.
My Respect goes to Texas!
Lol, thank you Lang! Yeah, those guys are awesome makers for sure! I'll get better fear not. Thanks for stopping by 🙌
Your tool game is really coming along. Great video - very instructive!
Thanks! Appreciate it!
Good and educating video. Thx for letting us see all the misstakes, it makes us understand alot more.
Im in the beginning of starting making knifes myself, this channel makes me wana do it even more. Keep up the good work m8! / Sweden
Heck yeah, good luck Familjen! Cheers from Texas
Great video mate and your knife turned out really nice despite the small mistakes. Thankyou for the commentary explaining your process and how you made those mistakes, very much appreciated!!
Thanks Russell!
Everyone likes a tight tang slot. Thanks for the video
Lol, glad you liked this one!
I like how you show how you make your tools. I was wonderin why you were makin with the wood clamp and was like man I woulda never thought about doin that. Great job brother.
Thanks Bryan! Glad you enjoyed it!
Im a believer in forge thick grind thin . Nice work
I agree! Learned my lesson. Cheers sir!
Knivemakers don't make Mistakes, only smaller Knives ;o)
Man that is the truth.... you're going to like my next video... lol
Love the knife .
Perfect for EDC .
💓💓💓💓💓💓
Thanks John!
You did an amazing job on this knife!
Thanks Christopher!
Very well done, sure you are a MS by this time, very informative and well explained !!!!
Not even close my friend! But maybe one day! Thank you!
When I started making knives I only made hidden tang and never had to many problems its been about a year since doing one till last week and I wonder now why I did hidden tang for so long. I like the Knife James its a good effort for someone who hasn't done many hidden tang
Thanks Lorne! This won't be my last for sure. I really enjoyed this build
god. i wish i had a tenth of the tools you have. working with a walmart angle grinder and a 1x30 with some files is rough. i couldnt even begin to think about making my own tools to youe to make other tools. toolception.
on a serious note, i am beginning to get into stock removal and want to thank you for the plethora of educational videos you have on the topic. ive watched your various bevel grinding videos multiple times and probably will more as i attempt to improve my own skills.
keep up the amazing work. just know it is appreciated !!
Good luck with your builds! You gotta start somewhere. My first grinder was also a 1x30!
Nice to see that lovely oven get some use mate!
Thank you Kris!
Dude nice shop. A lot bigger than the garage you was in. I been MIA for a while but startin back up. Man your knives are great. And I am learnin a lot from your and other videos.
Heck yeah, thanks man!
Excellent job. I just picked up a log splitter to convert to a press to make the forge weld process a bit easier, so making something like this is a way off, but videos like this keep the dream alive, and teach me what to do and what not to do. Keep 'em coming, please!!
Thank you greatly sir! Glad you enjoyed it!
Very nice knife, thanks for sharing and for your honesty, good luck...
Thank you!
Those micro imperfections are the signs of a one of a kind hand made knife, if I owned it I would treasure it.
Thank you greatly sir!
A really beautiful knife. Best wishes for the contest!
Thanks Jack!
I’ve watched a lot of your videos and I think your skill set is top notch! First time anything never turns out perfect! But it is a very custom knife and it looks great.
Thank you greatly Joseph! I have a long way to come, but I'll get it there. Cheers
Warts and all, it’s still a great project and far more educational than if you played “glory days”, hiding or obfuscating the troubled areas.
Thank you sir, glad you liked the build!
You have Money,your officine it's awesome,i started with Just a file and saw last year
It takes time to build up your shop! Good luck on your journey sir.
I came from Black Beard Projects after I heard about the build off. I like the end results of your knife. You earned a new sub from me and I will be watching your previous builds.
Thank you greatly Bill! Glad you enjoyed the build.
That's a beautiful knife man you've definitely got my vote
Thank you sir!
That’s a really good looking knife
Thank you!
As I said in a previous clip, you’re critical eye looking over your own work is important and a key to getting better. The thing for me is, when I look at things you disapprove of, I always find myself saying, “Hell…that’s barely noticeable and seems to add more character to the blade than anything else. Although from a makers standpoint, you’d rather not have it there at all. Personally, I thing it came out beautiful. The steel was gorgeous and the handle came out great. But I’m an old man and I find myself looking past things and finding the best in my knives….keep up the great work, lad. You’re pretty far into the journey and we’ll on you’re way to becoming a Master Smith. Thinking yet of taking the test?
Thank you greatly Mike. I think I will go down the route of Journeyman one of these days. It takes a significant amount of time as you know! I'm going to need to get my skill set up first as well. Cheers!
Flaws huh? You're just showin off again.👍🍻
Lol, thanks William! Hey man, got to get better over here!
Nice job on the knife too
I'm curious about your background previous to starting your own shop?
Thanks man, Love the knives and your excellent way of explaining processes.
Thanks Aaron, glad you're enjoying the videos! I'm an engineer by trade
We're all our own harshest critics, James.
The centred pommel nut is noticeable - once you pointed it out - but I'd have struggled to notice the handle/ricasso alignment, I have to say.
Great job overall, man 🙏🏻🇬🇧
Thanks man. The biggest issue on this knife to me was the damn alignment. The sad thing is that I could of avoided it, but I guess we have to learn some how! The next one will be better!
@@RedBeardOps
That’s the attitude!
Enjoyed your video, and I’m wearing my RBO hoodie today!
🤜🏻💥🤛🏻
@@sudo_nym Heck yeah! Glad to hear it! Cheers sir
you did a great job james ilove it
Thank you greatly!
Great vid, great knife! I voted for your entry.
Thank you Robert! Cheers sir
Amazing knife, great work.
Thank you!
The HRC Japanese Made files set from I think 40- 65 HRC and when I used them many year s ago they worked perfect and I could get within 2 points of what the files found.
Dude, an actual hardness tester would be badass, but the files work too. I had the same irritating feeling about not knowing how hard my knives were besides "does a file skate"...it just felt too imprecise. So I bought a set of files and they gave me a LOT more info than I had before. My previous method was to take a new file and go by feel and sight, but after getting the file set I decided to revisit that method and that's when I realized just how little I actually knew about the hardness of my steel and how inaccurate that method was (and how much a file varies in hardness and sharpness). If you're really shooting for a particular hardness (say, 57-58), then a hardness tester will get you to that point...but a set of files will get you pretty close to that point as well with the right technique. Steel at 56 will be slightly scratched by a 55 file, but at 57 it's really faint, so you can estimate. Adding to that, you'll never get a homogenous hardness throughout the steel, so you might hit a soft spot somewhere or a harder spot, you never really know. Damascus is more difficult still, and even a dedicated hardness tester won't tell you the whole story as you have to average out a whole bunch of test points in a certain spot to get a reliable reading. If you do get a file set, don't go by the instructions and start with the softest and work your way up, start with the hardest and work your way down. Running a soft file over a hard knife will dull the teeth, leading to future inaccuracy, but you can always take a file scratch out of your blade.
As for coating your stack in WD-40, that's probably just as good as dipping it in kerosene or Jet-A, the point is to fill the gaps with something that isn't oxygen or water. Better still is to get a tiny amount of flux in with it, and you can do that by mixing boric acid (not borax) with denatured alcohol or methanol. This gives you a liquid that not only displaces oxygen, but also aids in forge welding. The recipe is simple...just add enough boric acid powder while stirring until it becomes saturated and you get precipitate at the bottom. Jewelers use this flux at about a 50/50 mix and stir up the precipitate to get a better barrier on their pieces for soldering, but I've found that much acid isn't necessary for forge welding and could potentially cause inclusions if the gaps in the stack are big enough. Always add the acid to your solvent when mixing, not the other way around. I use an airtight ammo can to hold a gallon of the solution, because the mixture is hydrophilic and will be contaminated by moisture in the air. Dunk the stack and stir it around for a few second and you're good to go. You can also use it as a fuel in tiki torches to get a green flame, just in time for Halloween.
Thank you greatly for the thoughts sir! Have a good Halloween!
I picked up some knowledge from your message. I’m new to the knife trade and I’m looking for as much knowledge as I can get… what brand is your file testers?
Look in to the evolution steel miter saws they don't make dust or get the metal up but make a really nice cut
Thanks Christopher! I have one! It works great. I don't want to dull my blades with forge scale and 1084 though.
Never seen one of these waterfall patterns before definitely gonna make one. Any reason you didn’t run in reverse just looking I thought it might be a little safer to use but obviously there could be reasons that you didn’t do that
I haven't tried it in reverse, I was afraid it would bump me up onto the ricasso... but it could work. I'm not sure.
Beautiful knife !
Thank you very much!
I don’t know about you guys but I actually prefer low layer Damascus. Still wouldn’t want any for myself because I’m a form follows function guy, but the lower layers seem more primal and beautiful to me
Very informative thank you. You mentioned that you sprayed your stack with WD-40 to prevent oxidation. Do you still apply a flux (Like Borax) when forging the damascus?
I did not. I've been using kerosene instead of borax. Works pretty good!
@@RedBeardOps Interesting thank you...do you think it would work on non-ferrous metals as well when forging mokume?
@@zeemanknives I don't see why not. I'm not sure though
@@RedBeardOps Thank you, I will give it a go and see what happens...that is how we learn right! Thank you for the advice. Happy knifemaking!
Love the knife I would have used screw type fixing so could move the blades about
And a tool where you have your spike but this is just my brain trying to make it practical when it is a fantasy knife lol
Keep up the great work
Thank you!
I usually braze the allthread to the tang, imho better than welding. I like your method too.
Thanks Roland!
Great looking blade, we learn as we go. At least you're honest about the issues you had so you learn from them. Someone else might try to fit a butt cap over the end to hide that issue etc. Good build and great to watch, listen and learn from :)
Thank you greatly sir!
Nice work!!! Love it!!
Thank you! Cheers!
Hi James, nice looking knife- simple but very aestetic. You have a bunch of DIY tools in your workshop (that is cool- I'm also DIY guy). I'm curious, is there any advantage of "Guard Jack" comparing to simple hammering? Regards, David
I think it's personal preference. Just playing around with it really. I also like the idea of epoxying on the guard by itself with the guard jack installed, then coming back for the rest of the handle.... still figuring it out really.
@@RedBeardOps I would be afraid that the epoxy won't hold to the guard enough and fall off after few "fitning checks" - I like small pins - they work pretty well., but I get what you mean.
thank you brother, hope you don't mind mind using some of your ideas. aweesome job brother
Nice video brother! I still wish I could get one of those magnetic chucks for my sga lol
Oh and if you ever find yourself in the position with an unsquare block again... Reference off of your blade on 1-2-3 blocks instead (while you're scribing your lines with your height Gauge)
Thanks for the tip man. Glad you enjoyed this one!
I get the point you wanted that to be in line, but for 99% those are happy little accidents not big mistakes. The back end one is a painfull one and a mistake one makes easily in the flow of makin a knife. still looks nice!
Thank you sir!
Great video and build, thank you!
P.S. I'd love to see a build video of that jack.
Thank you! That may just happen!
I need to snag one of those file guides. How wide of a blade does yours fit? My DIY one isn't big enough, and that one looks beautiful.
You'd have to ask him, but I bet pretty darn wide!
Simple sleek bowie 😌
Thanks Tan! Glad you like it
than knife looks amazing love the pattren
Thank you Kevin!
That combo press die. Holy crap, that's genius! Why have I never seen that before? I'm sure they must've existed for a while at this point.
Yes sir, pretty darn handy right?!
You have work to do... but you'll get there I have not doubt
Thank you sir
I am sorry but... this is amazing!
Thank you!
28:39 Magnificent damascus 👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you!
I prefer the low layer count they pop better. Anywhere between 37 to 67 count really look great.. Nice blade though!
Thanks Mike!
Nice job!
Thank you! Cheers!
Hey man, love all your videos but i was wondering if you could possibly make a video on upgrades you would do to the harbor freight 1x30 belt sander when you have the time? There are alot of people out there that buy that to get started in knife making including me.
Hey man, I don't have one of those guys. I know Simple LIttle LIfe did a video along those lines with a 1x30. May be worth checking that out.
Essa Bowie está linda 👌🏽👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽😃
Thank you!
It is a beautiful knife.
Thanks Richard!
Hey Guys; going to post this in all the videos.
Have to say lived these builds & was a HARD choice since we only get 1 vote. Would be better to have a 1, 2, and 3 choices since many channels have fewer subs but did great builds. That way there could be a bit more of an average top choices & determination of top 5 kind of challenge.
@Tyrell Knifeworks got my vote but @Green Beetle, @Red Bears Ops, @Wengels Workshop were all right there at great builds for a 2 or 3 place fight.
Cheers Mark! Glad you enjoyed the build off
This is late lol. But i got one of the grizzly hardness testers. And its been doing really well.
It comes with test blocks, but i bought a phase 2 test block to verify also. And it seems to he spot on, on everything. Its been super useful for developing heat treatments. Though i mostly am using a bunch of crazy steels, and a lot of variety between them so it probably is much more useful to me.
Gosh... I need one of them! Probably my next big purchase
@@RedBeardOps i highly recommend it.
Even following datasheets. You never know if your kiln varies a little, or what. So it gives some assurance being able to verify your heat treatnents.
Ausome vid do you have a preference in which 2by72 belts you use brand wise.
I like the hermees Blue J-flex and cheap ceramics
@@RedBeardOps ty for the info
Посмотрел с удовольствием ! Хорошая работа!
Большое спасибо!
Are your makers mark stencils just made out of stickers? Thanks
Nope, I get mine from TUS industries
Which endmill did you use for surfacing the wood?
I've used a few different ones... This one has been working well - Face Mill - amzn.to/3uSqeII
Still a very nice blade and we’re never done learning that’s for sure. I might have missed it, is that Ironwood?
Yes sir, that is ironwood. Cheers and thanks!