I have been reading this forum for a week or two and decided, with a bit of urging from Jens, to login, if only so that I don't feel so much like I am snooping. (Yes, there is an Anso in my future! Jens, just stay away from those buses around the Uni.)

I don't make knives (yet??) but have carried at least one, and most often two in my pocket since I was about 6 years old. No need for metal detectors at school in those days. For reasons too long to go into only relatively recently have I become aware of custom knives and their makers.

I don't know how to put this except to give an example - I literally had to get up from my computer to catch my breath a couple of nights ago when I saw what GeneO did "infusing" brass into bolsters and the recent pics of Velarde's knives. Man, you guys, all you guys, are doing beautiful creative work. And equally impressive, but in a very different way, is the brotherhood (ok gals, personhood?) you have going. The only thing in my experience that comes close was the kindness and helpfulness of folks in the competitive small bore target shooting community of which I was a part long ago.

I don't know if or how I will be able to contribute to this forum. I am a research biologist by profession (animal communication of all things), I live in Panama (pleanty of cocobolo!!) and I know a bit about wood and woodworking (furniture mostly, a couple of knife handle repairs).

In any case, I really appreciate your art, craft and community. You keep makin 'em and guys like me will keep saving to buy 'em.

I guess I have one bias, I use my knives. For me, no small part of their beauty derives from their fuction and they are never more beautiful as when they are being used. Just a point of view.

Best,
John

Welcome aboard you`ll like it here It`s like a remote Tropical Island just Plum full of the best and nices makers and collectors in the world, once your on the Island you`ll never want to leave!!:)
LOL I don`t know why I described it like that..lol.. but man this is the best forum around you`ll like it here!

BEWARE Knife making and the study of knifemaking is very addictive and the LORD can only help you If you start;and then there is the CKD forum that will feed you addiction. :evil:

Now that aside: WELCOME and hope you continue to enjoy.

glad you joined us!!

John,

You made a mistake with that introduction if you ever planned to leave ... that's CKD material all the way!

Welcome aboard, partner! Make yourself at home!

Alex

Glad to have you with us, John.

Just so you know you are not alone in your knife philosophy, I agree with you totally about using a knife. They are, after all, tools. Some can be beautiful, costly, and even impractical tools, but they are tools nonetheless. If you can't sharpen a pencil, open an envelope, or peel an apple with it, it's not a knife!

Welcome John,glad to have you here.
Jon

Welcome,
If you love knives, this is the place. Drop by anytime.

I appreciate the kind words on my work.
I'm only going to give you 80 or 90 more posts to stop all that praising stuff, O.K.?

I LOVE knives too! They are never more beautiful than when they are traded for Lots of that green stuff.

Welcome. Make yourself at home, and if you have questions,Please ask.
We are all here to help.!!

Thanks for the warm welcome everybody. I am really looking forward to spending time at this forum, learning more about what I think will become something of a passion for me.
Don, it is nice to know that you actually expect us to get those rubies dirty! And Gene, I can see I will have to go easy with the compliments.

I will toss out a question as a run-on to this topic because I think you guys can answer it quickly. Why havn't I seen color case hardening on bolsters or other non-blade steel? As I am sure you know it was a common way that gunsmiths surface harden low carbon steel, for example in frames and backstraps of sigle action revolvers. It can be quite attractive especially against a dark contrasting part. Thanks. John

John, I have seen some color case hardening on bolsters, but you are right, it's not very common (yet). Stick around- I'll bet you'll see more of it.

I think most folder makers (and/or their customers) are currently enamored of basic damascus and anodized titanium bolsters. These things run in cycles.

John, welcome!
I haven't been around long, but I have learned a lot and already improved my work. Great guys around here. Family!

Knifemaking is addictive so be careful when you see sparks! You may have an urge!

Does anyone have a good pic of coloered case hardening?

Good to see ya here John!

Bob,
www.gunshop.com/doublegunjournal_v7i4_9.htm is the address for a web copy of "The Color Case-hardening of Firearms Part 1" by Oscar L. Gaddy. (Couldn't find Part 2?) The pics give you a pretty good idea of what this sruface looks like, escpecially the pic of the action of a beautiful Parker double. This is the best article I have read on the process, what it does to mild steel, why, and what you can expect from steel so treated.

If I copied the address wrong just search on color case hardening in Google. There are other sites with pics, but no other description I have found is as good as the above.

John