Hand forged

This is a set of spurs I did a while back, just to see if I could. They are forged from 4140 steel.
The biggest mystery to me has always been; how did the old masters forge the bottle opener into the shank?
Here is how I did it.
I  forged every thing to shape, leaving 1/2 inch between the band and the 90 degree turn on the shank, made a cut with a hack saw about 3/16th's back, heated, and drove a chisel in the split rolling it under for the bottle opener look. I hope I did Mr. Bianchi proud.
The concho/coin screws on to make it easy to get leathers on and off.
These are for sale. 425.00$ plus shipping.

Knives and buckle

Some of this week's work.

The top one is a knife I have already shown, it is back from armoralleather with a new sheath.
The next ones are 1084/15n20 damascus, 2 inch blade, 2, 2.5, and 3 inch handles, with amboynia(sp) burl and spalted oak. I will put pocket clip sheaths on these. I have sold more of these than any style I make.
Another won buckle. The bull riding will be held on October 1st in Cross Plains, Tx. I might try to win it myself!

pictures

#1 & 2 is a 1095/ nickel damascus knife and sheath. 6 inches overall length.
#3 is stainless damascus, with a pocket clipped anaconda inlayed sheath. 5 inches overall length.
#4 is 5160/8670 damascus. 5 inch blade with axis antler handle.
If you see one you like, email me. If it is not available, I can build one like it.

This is a cell phone picture I took this morning. Things are bad when briars on the fence rows are droughting out. I have never seen this happen, nor has any one I have talked to. Lots of our trees are shutting down, almost like it is late fall. It's gonna be a long winter.
 Things could always be worse, I could be a wheat farmer with no insurance.

IGBSM Spurs

We had our annual  http://www.igbsm.org/ meeting this week end, and I took these to show off. The igbsm is a bit and spur makers guild that I am a member of. I got to see a lot of people I haven't seen in a long time, and got to meet some people that I have only known through forums or reputations. I had lots of fun and learned a lot. The guild is doing a lot of hard work promoting this art form, and I look forward to a lot more years with the guild.
 These spurs are 1018/nickel damascus, 1 inch heel band, and a 1.5 inch roper shank. The buckles and rowels are also damascus. James Jaggars, of Putnam Texas made the straps.

wildlife

This guy was on the porch eating toads this afternoon. Who knew toads had so much blood in them.

The fire at Fort Davis.

Turkeys and a hog from the game camera last spring. The feeder is behind the house and is quite entertaining at times.

Military build

Cell phone picture that I had to send to the new owner, so I thought I would post it here as well.
This knife is 13 inches overall length, with an 8 inch cutting edge, and 1.5 inches wide. Brass guard and canvas micarta handle. I used 52100 for the steel.
 This knife is headed for Afghanistan, and I have been promised that I will be the first knife maker on my block with a confirmed kill.
 Ssg David Murphy, a heck of a knife maker from Conway Arkansas, has agreed to build the sheath for this one, as I have no idea what a soldier really needs. Private Nix and I are extremely grateful.

Dry

Here is one back from the sheath maker. Back in the mail tomorrow to it's new owner.

It is dry. Eastland and Brownwood, to the east and south of us are implementing some pretty severe water restrictions, and Abilene to the west is not far behind. I sure hope everyone enjoyed their green lawns, and hope they don't wish they had all that water to bath with by this time next year. Yes, next year. Unless we get a hurricane through here to run some water, this drought won't be over with this year, and maybe not next year.
 February and March will be brutal on what livestock is left in this country,  especially  for the folks that depend on wheat or oat pastures for winter feed. Those that haven't made feed arrangements might not get much. The feed mills in this area are already running 1 month behind, and it is just September 1st. No one can afford to feed 125.00$ round bales for very long. There is lots of alfalfa passing through,  it is expensive, but a better deal than grass hay.
 I always wanted to live in historic times, and I guess I do!