Won buckles

Finished 4 of the buckles. Woke up at 2 am, at the shop by 3, and decided I would get as much done as possible while it was cool. I took a short hog hunting/water checking break at daylight, but then right back on them till they where done. Insomnia does have some benefits. Come to think about it, I need a nap.
 I will do damascus, with a little less writing  for the next 3.

Handmade

This is the start of some won buckles I am building for a ranch rodeo coming up on September 10.
Probably the question I get the most as a knife, bit, and spur maker is where do I buy my blanks. I don't. Every thing that comes out of my shop started as raw materials. It is completely  hand made.
The buckle above is getting a hand filed border, and will get nickel silver lettering.
I will show them as a finished product in a few days.

Knives for sale

These knives are made from W2 tool steel, with micarta handles. They have a 3 inch cutting edge, and are 7.5 inches overall. Both are flat ground and are razor sharp. The sheaths are custom made by http://www.armoralleather.com/ .
These knives sell for 165.00$ plus shipping. Email if interested.
I have lots of area cowboys using these every day, the horizontal sheath keeps them handy, but out of the way, and the W2 steel holds an edge, yet is easy to sharpen in the field.

Kitchen set

I finished this kitchen set yesterday. It is 12 3/4" overall length, with an 8" cutting edge, 1 3/4" wide. The handle is Bois D'arc wood and a mokume' bolster.
The Bois D'arc was cut from an old fence post that a friend saved me when doing a clearing job. It had probably been in the ground for 60 years. It is some amazing stuff.
The damascus is stainless steel I get from http://www.chadnicholsdamascus.com/ . I have never been disappointed in any thing he has sent me, always consistent, and heat treats the same every time. I have tried making stainless damascus a few times and it is tough. I will stick with making the high carbon stuff for a while.

Ranch rodeo

Kim took these pictures at our last local ranch rodeo. I thought they were great so here they are.
1st is Kyle on his gray mare. I wished she was my gray mare.
2nd is Steve Goldsmith, steak cook extraordinaire, holding one across the line.
3rd is me doing what I do best, standing around talking to Rodney.
3 inches of rain this weekend. It didn't break our drought, but it sure made everybody feel better.

hammer time

Brice Bowden was by the shop today and took this video with a cell phone. 

I am taking some 1084/15n20 damascus down to knife making thickness. This billet has already been forged out, cut and re stacked 3 times, for a total of 180 layers. It should be some pretty stuff when a finished knife.

Knives this week

This weeks work so far. I should have finished these this evening, but it was just to damned hot! 107 inside, in the shade, with a big fan going.
The 2 plain knives are made with 52100 (ball bearing) steel. It is currently my favorite steel besides damascus. I have never tried a steel that I could get this sharp. It also keeps the edge extremely well.
The little knife is made from 2 different billets that were a little small, so I combined them. 1080, 1095, 15n20, and nickel in the mix of steel. the handle is spalted oak.
Lots of cow work this week, moving things around, sold some good cows and some calves to light. It's going to be a long winter, we will have to start feeding way to early. Drought, it ain't over just because it is approaching september and cooler weather. Probably won't end next year.

used spurs

I built this set a couple of years ago for a well known steer wrestler. He had bent a hanger and the silver need a little attention.
These spurs have been all over the USA and Canada rodeoing, even the NFR. I have even watched them on TV on several occasions.
 It makes a maker feel good that the stuff he is putting out is used and well thought of.

longhorn

One of my rare water holes that has any water in it.
I took this picture with my phone yesterday, and there is something I like about it.