All About Pocket Knives

Just finished this Cheyenne booie to more or less match the trapper from last week.

Very nice, I sure like that Desert Ironwood, it does set off the inlay quite nicely.

sorry mike..beautiful work...i guess i should read the entire thread before typing.

...ironwood and torquoise are an old time favorite of mine....i have a pile of ironwood slabs i just cut...mixed blond and coffee colors all intermingled....now if i can just get my shop set back up...moving is no fun.

That's Mike's work, he's putting out some nice pieces! I believe that's Malichite and White Turquoise - webbed Malichite not banded. Masecraft has the best recon deals and selection IMO. PLUS, you can cut it 1/8", 3/16", or whatever you deire, you just pay by the LB or oz. They make it in bricks and cut it to order.

Nice work Mike...

Yes, that is recond malachite, wht turquoise, nickle silver spacers and Desert Iron wood. The blade was so rough when I got it that I almost sent it back. Foolishly, I thought I could maybe polish it and not have to spend much time doing so. I worked my old fat butt off for 7 hrs and still am not real happy. End product is acceptable but a lot of hrs. Really like that iron wood and the recond is great to work with. Oh well maybe when I see the "tutorial on mop" (hint, hint hint) I'll find another obsession. Thx for the generous comments.

I'm still waiting on the pearl, I hope UPS delivers to the correct address. I just picked up some stabilized woods that were delivered to my old address on June 3 and I have been here 1 year in September. UPS just plain sucks! They never get it right always blame the sender when UPS will print out a correct invoice and an incorect shipping label.

I'm going to do a 2006 GEC 73, then a 2006 GEC 23 - that one will need 4 inches of pearl, so that's $158 for A+ grade 5/32 - If they have it. I may as well do it. The 3-1/2 at 5/32 inch for the 73 is $149, so that only $9.00 more. I will stay with the GEC tradition and use brass pins which I know I have.

I'm also waiting on a 1/16 inch collet for the Dremel in a drill press.

Check this out - The pearl is on page 2, a job well done. http://allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_f ... &sk=t&sd=a Another method and he does a great job. It's been about a year since I've done pearl and I have lost some feeling in my right hand - so I won't be fast. I would not spend that kind of cash, if I was not up to it.

73 first, then the 23 and with different techiques, more than 1 way to skin a cat.

Just finished struggling with the "big brother". Specifically, the desert ironwood finish. I tried a lot; polishing compound, linseed oil, 2ooo grit paper, and Simichrome. I wanted a finish that was not too glossy but showed the beautiful grain. Linseed oil (gunstock oil finish) looked like it really showed the grain at its best but was too glossy. My most successful effort to date and one that I'm satisfied with is paste wax for furniture after a good 2000 grit sanding. I probably will reapply some a week from now since I believe the stuff is absorbed somewhat.
Anyone else out there who has succeeded with this challenge? Always looking to find something better.
thx
mike

pmike5869 wrote:Just finished struggling with the "big brother". Specifically, the desert ironwood finish. I tried a lot; polishing compound, linseed oil, 2ooo grit paper, and Simichrome. I wanted a finish that was not too glossy but showed the beautiful grain. Linseed oil (gunstock oil finish) looked like it really showed the grain at its best but was too glossy. My most successful effort to date and one that I'm satisfied with is paste wax for furniture after a good 2000 grit sanding. I probably will reapply some a week from now since I believe the stuff is absorbed somewhat.
Anyone else out there who has succeeded with this challenge? Always looking to find something better.
thx
mike

Try Danish Oil, 2 or 3 THIN coats will give a satin finish - too many coats or coats that are to thick will give a semi gloss finish.

Tung oil will give a nice matte finish, a wet wood look. One way to use it is to use 3 thin coats and use very fine sandpaper/steel wool between coats. The first coat is one part oil and 2 parts Naphtha. If you like use very fine sandpaper and steel wool (even 00 steel wool) between coats. The next is 50:50 oil and Naphtha and repeat the sanding. The last coat is a very thin coat of Tung oil and it may take 3 or 4 days to dry.

EDIT: Tung oil comes from a nut and those that are allergic to nuts should find another method.

The Naphtha will cause the previous 2 coats to dry rapidly, but I allow a few days to completely dry anyway. Tung oil is one of the best non-yellowing finishes - as far as non-yellow goes.

Howard Feed & Wax is another way to go, using beeswax and orange oil to make a nice soft finish.

BIRCHWOOD CASEY has a number of good wood finish products including Tru-oil.

Some will use just carnuba wax and buff that in that also makes a mice soft looking finish.

It's a good idea to use some scrap pieces to test the different methods to see if you like the look.

Good Luck, there is a lot of excellent products/methods out there.

The "thinner" being used can affect whether it comes out as matte, gloss, or semi-gloss also. I like the look of Howard feed and wax myself. Keeps it simple.