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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: kbaknife on January 20, 2010, 07:37:00 PM

Title: Osage Hunter
Post by: kbaknife on January 20, 2010, 07:37:00 PM
Something simple and plain, but I found quite interesting.
I wasn't sure about the choice of Bronze and Osage when this project came together for the client, but I'm glad we proceeded!
This Osage I have was harvested in '66 at a saw mill near my house. I got a bunch of the logs and have used it from time to time and had it stabilized as well.
At my suggestion, we went ahead and mated it up with a Bronze guard.
As Osage sometimes does, it gradually darkens as the final grits approach and after buffing, it took on a nice rich tone.
I satin-ized the bronze guard at 1200.
And the blade was forged down from my 1" heavy '84 5160 stock.
Take-down? Oh, ya, sure, you betcha.
(My next one on the bench will be just like it only in slow twist Damascus.)
 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/tp5-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Osage Hunter
Post by: Lin Rhea on January 20, 2010, 08:22:00 PM
That Osage is just gorgeous. I bet you wont have this one long Karl. Lin
Title: Re: Osage Hunter
Post by: LC on January 20, 2010, 08:39:00 PM
Somehow before I opened this I just knew it wouldn't be another plain ol osage knife! I was right man thats gorgeous!

Ok I gotta ask whats the difference between bronze and brass? Is bronze tougher? Does bronze buff up to a shine like brass? I love the look of your bronze bolster!
Title: Re: Osage Hunter
Post by: OconeeDan on January 20, 2010, 09:06:00 PM
Karl, that looks great!
How does the osage look, feel, and work after having it stabilized?  I have a piece of crotchwood, crosscut, that I am saving for the "stabilizer".  Likely K&G. It has been cut for several years and has been months since cut into a block.  Still weighs a ton, very dense.
Your knife looks very classy.  Dan
Title: Re: Osage Hunter
Post by: kbaknife on January 20, 2010, 09:44:00 PM
Dan, what you have sounds pretty interesting!
In the stabilized condition it just seems to be a little harder and takes a nicer finish and buffing than without.
I like it and will send more out soon.
K and G is your best bet - good choice, Dan.
Title: Re: Osage Hunter
Post by: kbaknife on January 20, 2010, 09:49:00 PM
Larry, bronze and brass are "cousins" - mostly made of copper I believe.
Then it's the other additives that make the difference.
Bronze just has a different luster to it.  And most importantly, it doesn't seem to tarnish as fast, or at all!
Bronze definitely mills harder. It sands harder. Probably because it has more silicon and/or aluminum and tin.
Brass just mostly has zinc.
Title: Re: Osage Hunter
Post by: Horner on January 21, 2010, 12:08:00 AM
That is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!   :notworthy:
Title: Re: Osage Hunter
Post by: skullworks on January 21, 2010, 08:24:00 AM
Awesome job!
Title: Re: Osage Hunter
Post by: DANA HOLMAN on January 21, 2010, 08:59:00 AM
Very nice Karl

dana
Title: Re: Osage Hunter
Post by: Rubiolio on January 23, 2010, 06:30:00 PM
Working salvaged bronze be aware that some of the harder alloys, particularly those used in non-sparking tools, contain beryllium which is highly toxic if you breath the dust.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryllium_copper
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryllium
Title: Re: Osage Hunter
Post by: TxMoon on January 25, 2010, 12:46:00 PM
awesome Karl I really like it