All About Pocket Knives

Well I finally got back in the shop. Whew it seems like forever. Been down and out with a nasty virus since July. During that down time I purchased a mess of lock backs from Scott (Triple F) for a nice price! They are unfinished knife skeletons about 3 inches long closed. The tang stamp reads Colonial Stainless U.S.A and according to Scott belonged to Bonfire Bob! What a treat! I told him I customize one and give it to him. I choose to use MOP for the scales. Never worked with it before. Plus the only MOP I had was a sheet to be used for inlays. Very thin and translucent. So I thought I would do a laminate of MOP. Each side has 3 layers MOP with the grain of each layer running in different directions. Came out better that I hoped for! Sorry it has taken so long to do Scott. Hope you like it buddy! PM me Scott I have a question. Enjoy the pics kids!

Randy

Wow! You even managed to catch the fire in the MOP in that last picture. That's something else!!

Thanks Jerry! Glad the pic came out good. You should see it outside in the sun. The layers shine through with a wonderful rainbow of depth and color.

WOW Absolutely amazing bro!!

Thanks!

Randy, I forgot to ask earlier. The layers are stuck together with what? Clear epoxy?

Glad you like it Scott! Jerry I used 330 epoxy. It dries water clear, Its a type of epoxy used by those who use stone for knife handles.

Hey, that looks great!

Nice work!

Thanks Glenn. You know I believe that all that fiery rainbow effect is due to the different layers of MOP. When turned just right under a good light source you see the reflections in the layers come through. And if the light is right you see the liners and pins, but you have to look hard!

Nice work Randy!

Did you have any problems breathing the MOP dust?
Hope you used a respirator.

You did get the fire in that last pic! Great looking knife!

No problems with dust Dale. Because I did not used any power tools. I cut the MOP by hand and hand sanded everything. Its so thin, I laminated the scales in 3 layers. Each layer was as thin as a sheet of paper. The knife came out very thin to ride un-noticed in the pocket.

Here is a side view with the Mop in place.
The fire in the pics was obtained by adjusting the knife relative to my light source until I got effect that I wanted. Of course the laminating the MOP helped as well. Each layer is translucent so that each layer shines with through when the knife and the light source are just right. I was hoping to get that effect but wasn't real sure that it would work. I like so much that I am prepping a Camillus stock pattern (no bolsters ) to receive the last of my MOP. I think I am going to stick with laminating this stuff. I can build it to what ever thickness I need.

Randy

And she jusgt arrived in all of her glory and history......no sense in me taking pics, yours are phenomenal!!!!

Thanks again Randy, I'm honored to have a customized knife by you, and a piece of Colonial history!!

Much respect bro!

Glad you like Scott, it was pleasure for sure!