Heljfstrand #32 with custom japanese scales

[John C]

Got a rather interesting project for this time around.
The blade is a Heljfstrand #32. The customer's wife is a wonderful artist, and asked if she could help design the scales.
The scales are based off of traditional Japanese motifs. This is most definately a pattern that I would have never thought up, but am very excited to get started on.(the top scale will be flipped so it's going the right direction )
So, without further ado, I give you the work of Mrs. Barbara Jacobs...

 

[azmark]

Amazing as always.

Im curious but can the scales be made out of copper? Nice patina would look great.

 

[John C]

Scales can be made out of copper. However I would personally seal them with something to keep them from oxidizing beyond the patina that you're looking for.
You also need to concider the weight issue when making metal scales.
The weight in the blade needs to equal the weight of the scales.

 

[FiveOhNine]

Awesome!

 

[alabamalawyer]

The drawings look great. I can't wait to see the final result.

 

[Jsteele]

this looks like another winner John..

 

[honed]

This should be something worth waiting for!

 

[netsurfr]

Nice indeed!

 

[John C]

I finished cutting the front and back scales today.

enjoy!

 

[heirkb]

I finished cutting the front and back scales today.

enjoy!

Looking really good so far, John.

 

[professorchaos]

You are ridiculous! How on Earth you do that so well?!?

 

[John C]

Thanks guys!!

 

[John C]

You are ridiculous! How on Earth you do that so well?!?

Well, after you break the first thousand blades or so, it just gets easier...

 

[professorchaos]

Well, after you break the first thousand blades or so, it just gets easier...

Me and my fat fingers could never do that and call it easy.

 

[Jake]

Beautiful and beautifuller. Getting so much better all the time.

Looking forward to the next stage John

 

[azmark]

Me and my fat fingers could never do that and call it easy.

As my wife would say, you have Flintstones feet and hands like me.

 

[Freedom]

The fine detailing on the Livi scales was insane how you had connections less than a mm wide ( should we start measuring your work in microns), and now you've elongated them ten fold.

I can't contemplate how you managed to cut those parts, you had to be at the break point of the metal the whole way along those bits, phenomenal work.

 

[LaughingAtFate]

I think I'm gonna get banned from overusing the and the Emoticons

Seriously Good Stuff, I'm Envious!

 

[danjared]

You can't do something that fine with a water jet (at least any I know of). So, you either have a *very* nice laser cutter that can cut metal or wicked hand skills. Either way, I like it.

 

[John C]

Well, I got the top plates sanded and filed and soldered to the backplates.
These guys are about to head to the buffer and then they'll be ready for a little detail work.

enjoy!