Damasus Hidden Tang WIP

[opaul]

Getting around to using the Alabama Damascus I picked up a couple of months ago. I filed out the nickel silver tang slot today and now deciding what to use for the handle. I'm thinking African Blackwood or Wenge.

 

[springer82]

That's going to look good Op. Blackwood would look nice.

 

[opaul]

That's going to look good Op. Blackwood would look nice.

Thanks you! I like the blackwood but it is death on the sanding belts. But it does finish nicely.

 

[Smallshop]

beings that blade looks like Bocote...bocote might look nice also. Great job on that blade.

 

[opaul]

beings that blade looks like Bocote...bocote might look nice also. Great job on that blade.

Good idea. I've got some Bocote so I'll see how it looks.

 

[diverdale]

Not to hijack ... but I’ve always thought two tone yellow heart/Purple Heart would be cool ... maybe ... lol

 

[Sean Jones]

That's going to be nice. Tagging along

 

[opaul]

Not to hijack ... but I’ve always thought two tone yellow heart/Purple Heart would be cool ... maybe ... lol

I use to have some Purple Heart but haven’t ever used it as knife scales.

 

[EdCaffreyMS]

Purpleheart has some drawbacks in my book.
1. The grain is VERY big and open.
2. It should be finished with some type of coating.
3. It oxidizes badly! It will start out a beautiful deep purple, and over a relatively short time frame (usually a matter of months) it will oxidize out to a really ugly brown color.

Bocote or Blackwood would be nice. My personal choice would be blackwood. It's very fine grained, stable over the long term, easy to work/finish, and I think it looks really classy.

 

[Bruce McLeish]

I agree whole heartedly with Ed. Don't use the purple heart.

 

[Randy Lucius]

This is the first knife I made about 2 years ago. Ebony and purple heart. It looks the same today although it doesn't see much sun. I guess it all depends on how much UV exposure it gets.

 

[EdCaffreyMS]

I guess it all depends on how much UV exposure it gets.

Spot on! I guess I should correct myself and say..... if exposed to UV, such as a daily carry situation, it's will oxidize out quickly. If it's stored in a safe, drawer, etc. where light exposure is low, it will take it a longer time to turn that poopy brown color.

 

[Smallshop]

Well...you have to assume worst case scenario if you're selling it. That would be EDC...outside in the sun all day...

Do any specific finishes have UV blocking?

Lucius...awesome first knife!

 

[springer82]

Purple heart is nice!! UV ????? Thank you Ed!

 

[Kevin Zito]

OP that’s going to be stunning!

 

[opaul]

OP that’s going to be stunning!

I hope so but I’ve been known to make a mess of things that started out nicely

 

[Doug Lester]

African Blackwood is great. All you have to do is sand it to a very fine grit then buff it. The oil in the wood makes it shine. Some might even think that it is synthetic. The only problem is that the harvest of the trees is being regulate (a good thing) and we have to compete with the woodwind instrument makers.

Doug

 

[opaul]

Jinxed myself. Ruined it. On to the next one.
;(

 

[Kevin Zito]

Jinxed myself. Ruined it. On to the next one.
;(

Sounds like me!

 

[Sean Jones]

Jinxed myself. Ruined it. On to the next one.
;(

Ouch