Copperhead ????? Barlow..

[ringergary]

Hi all, Got adventurous on this one, put copper bolsters on it.
Pic #1 is knife pulled down, it was a broken handled Imperial Barlow.
Pic#3 is glueing handles to liners.
Pic #4 is lining up blades, liners, handles, tempory pinning useing the vise.
Pic#2 is raw bolsters cut rough.
Pic's#5 and rest is semi finished, gotta put final pollish on it, just had to post it early.
Made mistake on bolster pins, I countersunk the holes but I think I went a fraction too deep, the pins wouldn't spread
enough to completly fill the hole. Good lesson learned for next time.
Walks and talks about 90%, about the same as original, not too bad.
Haven't got a belt sander yet but when I look at the tips of the old fingers rasped down, it is the next purchase
on the list.
Am quite happy with the way it turned out, and thanks to JW for his advice and help, without his tutorials I am sure it wouldn't have got to this stage, Thanks JW,
Anyhow, would appreciate criticism and/or comment.

PS.. The last pic is the copper bar the bolsters got cut out of.. With a hacksaw!!!!

cheers Gary

[knives-are-quiet]

That is one sexy knife Gary.
For not having a sander and using whatever make-shift tools you can find laying around "office paper clips as spring clamps" I think that knife came out fantastic.
When you get your sander just give those bolsters a few passes and you will be able to make that forward bolster pin flush.
What type of handle material is that? - Imitation stag or a natural product.
You are getting the hang of it and getting better all the time.
I sure do like that knife.
Great choice of materials.
The copper bolsters and choice of handle material go together really well.

J W

[orvet]

Excellent first attempt Gary!
You are off to a magnificent start!
You will soon see that customizing and repairing knives is more addictive than just collecting them!

Nice work!

[ringergary]

JW,, Thanks, I am not happy with it, when I get a belt sander I'll sand the bolsters down more in line with the handles.
Put a fair bit of time with the dremmel, but it's not made for big work.
There was about another 8 hours hand sanding just on the bolsters.
Really didn't know I had that patience.
Will post more pic's of the knife when I finish it.
The handles are jigged bone from the good ol USA.

Dale,, Thanks for your encouragment. This is the first bolstered knife I've done. Different ball game than full handles.
I'am gradually get some ideas mainly from the excellent surport from you fella's on this forum.

caddyman.. Thanks for yourPM, really helps when you fella's go out of your way to offer help.
Just makes everything so much clearer when someone sends tutorials with pic's.
I'am sure most anyone reading these threads will be learning too.

TOP KNIFE FORUM,,,

cheers Gary.

[paulsvintage]

very nice job !

[Toejammer]

Thats just sexy........

Now i feel better, knowing I'm not the only one trying to do this without all the fancy schmancy power tools !!

[knives-are-quiet]

You will appreciate the knife more when re-doing all or mostly by hand.
You also get a little taste of what an assembly worker in a cutlery factory went through on a daily basis more than a 100 years ago .
I like doing most of my work by hand but for some things you just need modern tech .
One hour instead of eight on those bolsters with a belt/knife sander. "Come on".........
Take it when you can get it............

J W