I*XL Hawkbill Pruner Restoration

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orvet
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I*XL Hawkbill Pruner Restoration

Post by orvet »

This is the first hawkbill restoration I have attempted. They are not too much different than any other slipjoint, except getting the handles tapered that much was a bit different.

Here are the before pics-
IXL Hawkbill before a.jpg
IXL Hawkbill before b.jpg
IXL Hawkbill before c.jpg
Here the pieces of the knife with the worst of the rust knocked off.
IXL Hawkbill pieces.jpg
I made the handles of cocobolo and it was a bit tougher to round off than I anticipated.
The handle is not as rounded as the original and it may be a bit thicker, but I believe it does give a better grip than the old handle.
I used steel pins to keep it all original. It was a bit of a challenge to peen the pivot pin in the rat tail grove.
Cleaning & polishing it afterward was a bit harder too.
IXL Hawkbill after a.jpg
IXL Hawkbill after b.jpg
IXL Hawkbill after c.jpg
IXL Hawkbill after d.jpg
I didn't try and polish the blades and remove all the character, I thought it looked better with a few battle scars.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Dale
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#goldpan
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Re: I*XL Hawkbill Pruner Restoration

Post by #goldpan »

Nice work Dale! ::tu:: You breathed new life into that old dog. Was it the shape of handle or was the cocobolo hard to work with? I have never used cocobolo before. Just curious. My only experience with hawkbills comes from the "kits" I bought from Kaleb last year. They were fairly flat with flat bolsters.

Randy
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Re: I*XL Hawkbill Pruner Restoration

Post by glennbad »

That looks factory! Great work as usual, Dale!
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orvet
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Re: I*XL Hawkbill Pruner Restoration

Post by orvet »

#goldpan wrote:Nice work Dale! ::tu:: You breathed new life into that old dog. Was it the shape of handle or was the cocobolo hard to work with? I have never used cocobolo before. Just curious.
Randy
It was a combination of things Randy. The taper was tricky and the cocobolo was a little harder than other cocobolo I have worked with. I was not able to achieve the same outside radius to the handle as was on the original. That disappointed me a little bit, but I think it fits the hand better than the original handle did.
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keithlong
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Re: I*XL Hawkbill Pruner Restoration

Post by keithlong »

Another nice knife, good job, I loe turning cocobolo, very nice piece of wood you chose there.
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orvet
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Re: I*XL Hawkbill Pruner Restoration

Post by orvet »

Thanks Keith. I like working with cocobolo too, though sometimes it will give me a runny nose when I start working with it after a long absence from working with it, some sort of a mild allergic reaction I guess.

Have you ever worked with camphor burl? That will open up your sinuses!
Camphor burl is pretty but softer than I am comfortable using for knife handles without stabilizing it.
I just can't find any that has been stabilized.

I picked up a cocobolo block recently that has the prettiest grain I have seen on cocobolo.
I will post a pic here when I find the block.
Dale
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Re: I*XL Hawkbill Pruner Restoration

Post by orvet »

Here is that cocobolo block Keith.
I think the grain is really interesting in this piece.

Cocobolo block a.jpg
Cocobolo block b.jpg
Cocobolo block c.jpg
Cocobolo block d.jpg
This piece would look nice turned I think.
It is 1-1/2" X 1-1/2" X 5" so it is a bit large for a pen but if there was something that a guy could make by turning it, I think it would be eye popping!
Dale
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keithlong
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Re: I*XL Hawkbill Pruner Restoration

Post by keithlong »

I agree, Dale, that wood grain is outstanding. I too would hate to turn it down into a pen. The only thing that comes to mind to make out of that block would be bottle stoppers.

As far as Camphor Burl, have never turned any. When I do turn soft burl piece, I usually stabilize it with thin CA glue as I go, turn a little then soak it good, then turn some more, continue until I get it finished.

There is a website that has several members on it that stabilize woods, it is woodbarter.com, free to join, I am a member of it. I have some know out georgous buckeye burl pieces, but they would need stabilizing also.
KeithLLong

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Re: I*XL Hawkbill Pruner Restoration

Post by Colonel26 »

Beautiful knife Dale. I love the look of those old pruners. And what you did with it has the right look for an old working knife. It just fits. Very nice job.
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Re: I*XL Hawkbill Pruner Restoration

Post by 0078 »

Good looking knife Dale. What of tool do you use to put your stamp on the blade? Very nice
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orvet
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Re: I*XL Hawkbill Pruner Restoration

Post by orvet »

0078 wrote:Good looking knife Dale. What of tool do you use to put your stamp on the blade? Very nice

Thank you. I use an Electro Chem Etch machine.
http://www.ecemmi.com/products.html
I use the Personalizer Plus model. Works great!
Dale
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