I would love seeing more of your works in process nearly as much as your finished projects. Would love to see how you develop those works of art. Selecting the materials and the design and then blending the parts into a unified design and making it a unique whole is what makes the knives such beautiful works of art. Blending history into the, sources of materials and such, adds a non visual aspect that makes the finished project more than a physical object. The background on your whiskey knife materials and George Washington would make it even more special in my mind. Not a visual part of the knife, but it adds a deeper level to the knife to those that know its true history.
Here is one section of the scope rings i am working on. I start by loosely drawing my basic layout, then i use a 90 degree chisel. The chisel i shape and grind, the chisel to this part has a 55 degree face and a 20 degree heel. I cut that to what i think is the right depth, then i use a flat chisel that is .016 wide. I cut the depth i need then dove tail the bottom so when the gold is hammered in the gold locks in place. The only way to get it out is to chisel it out. Then sand the tops flush with progressive grits then polish. Yeah, it takes a while. I have a lot of chisel work to go in this photo. Inlaying copper is the same price as gold. It doesnt cost as much but it takes longer to do so it equals the price, though i actually should charge a bit more for copper.
I know this may be a little to much hassle ,, and may be more trouble than it's worth,, but I'd like to see you do a video of how you do that intricate work. But don't put yourself out ,, I'm sure that could slow down your production ,, so don't feel obligated to do that.
. I dont have a camera at this time to set up. Since i do this at 12 to 20 power with lens, i will have to figure this out. For instance the gold on the scope rings are pretty simple then go to cutting a wheat leaf as a border that the leaf is 1/8 inch wide and there will be approx 30 chisel cuts in that 1/8 inch width, side by side. Hard to see without magnified. Most people look at engraving with a jewlery loop which is 10x. So i have to go bigger so it still shows detail at 10x.
No worries,, thanks for the response, either way . I've been a carpenter ,, construction worker , since the early 70s ,, I can make shit happen with a sledge hammer ,, a skill saw ,, and a 20 oz hammer and a hand full of 16d nails . But the intricacies of your profession is not only a skill ,,, it's an art. My skills can be taught to anyone that wants a job ,,, your skills is a pretty good step above my skills . I can hide imperfections in wood ,, up to an inch or so ,,, your skill is down to the thousands of an inch ,, same with you machinists. Thank you for posting your work ,,, I just appreciate,, and respect your work ,, it's a talent ,, thank you for sharing .
You are blessed. I cant work wood at tal. With metal i can shrink or stretch it to fit, but wood, naw, its done. Lol. But i try and keep to really dagum simple.
