Trying

Here is my first attempt at forging at ring out of steel, I must say without getting the tools needed for the job it proved to be an exercise in patients. I got burnt 6 time, and hammered e same lines away for an hour but here it is my little lump. I will get back to the drawing board, I was thinking of drawing up a cuff of some sort along th

Ama Beadi beadi

 This is my Thuthuka bead in the process of experimentation, I took a hack-saw and a half round file to it. I also use the corner of my bench grinder. I am very much liking this blackened forged look and the "chunky" feel about it. I had a bright Idea or so I think;To forge a "chunky" ring like this image below and then carve it up in a similar way.

 I think I would like to refine the finish a bit but we'll see when I get there?

Thuthuka Bead

I was working on my bead today, out of steel, it wasn't looking like My design but I like this rustic looking lump. I'll try again later
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Plan of action

My plan for last term was to forge my blades and to make hidden tang knives. After making 5 knives using the forging technique, and showing many people. I came across the problem of not knowing how to price my handy work, and always ended up giving a poor "guestimated. So in conclusion, I need to learn how to cost my knives effectively
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Mokume

Ok it isn't a very good picture, but I was surprised my phone could pick up the layers.
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This is the idea

This is not a picture of mine I found it on the internet. This is along the lines of what I was thinking about with regards to the bead, a non patterned billet of mokume and as it is filled into the layers will be exposed. 

Success!

Today I made my first, mokume plate, Turns out what  I suspected was the problem......was the problem. I managed to get my forge to work properly and hot enough, and I fused my first billet together. It  is only 5 layers but I needed to first get a feel for the metal and what it looks like when they fuse. I am so excited about this rough looking, little bit of nothing, its a shame my camera wont pick up the different layers

Mokume

Ok my first attempt at Mokume was a time consuming failure, maybe tomorrow will hold some success for me.

Thutuka

For thutuka We went to the Phansi museum, the diamond pattern caught my eye. This diamond pattern is symbolic of women if I'm correct. I loved the texture, both physical and visual. The a bright idea popped into my head "Mokume", so I'm off to play and try this technique. I  hope this doesn't prove to be too frustrating, this is a technique I would like to get the hang of.

Birthday Gifts

LOOK AT THIS!  These are my birthday gifts fro mys Friend Carlo. Two cold steel knives, The little black dagger is a boot knife tactical more self defense knife, easily concealable. It is made of weather resisitant fiber glass reinforced plastic. The Balisong looking knife is "the Paradox" from cold steel, feature slipjoint locking mechanisms on either handle. The blade is stainless steel spear point, featuring a hollow grind. This blade is razor sharp,literally I shaved a layer off my palm by mistake; a small spot. Thank you so much, I love them

I've got it!

I have finally decided what I want to address this term. I would like to cost the knives I make, I haven't been accurately pricing my knives. The knife I just sent to Zimbabwe was given a "guestimated price", if people start to place orders I must be able to price intelligently! So here goes, welcome new term, meet Lloyd
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More pictures

McKenzie Hunter

This the McKenzie hunter, I just finished making for Family in Zimbabwe as an advertisement. The blade is forged from a tractor leaf spring, It features a mosaic pin, and a duo tone handle. The woods used are African black wood and Rhodesian teak the quillion is mild steel. The over length of the knife is 220 mm, blade dimensions are, 100 mm length by 30 mm width. Its feel really solid into the hand and the fishtail style grip shape hugs the hand, making the heavy blade comfortable. I'm improving, there's whole list of the things I'm not happy with but those are my secrets to keep, I'll work on them we can only get better from here.

Logo Oh Yes!!

I finally got around to testing out my etch-So-Easy rectifier. I tested a few time on a scrap piece of steel, with the stencils they provided with the machine.. Then I finally when I felt I had a bit of a feel for it I etched my logo on my Puuko and Zippo.
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My brother and His wife, arrived on Monday from Taiwan. They are teacher in Taiwan, the school they teach at is on Vacation.
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