res308

This a pretty dog gone nice axe forged out by a friend of mine. Same one who made the bowie for his Dad. Forged out of a ball peen hammer. Hickory handle done with a draw knife. Said he finished it in antique bronze. I does look darker than what that third pic shows. He also burned the rope design into the handle. I thought that was a neat touch, and it adds a little grip. Soon as I can get to it I'm gonna make him a belt hanger and blade cover for it. I think the handle's about 18".

I was told he had a fit over it this past Sunday when he saw it.

Ok. I forgot a thing or two. I did mention that it had functioned well up to that point. But I forgot to mention that I had shot it first yesterday. I ran 6 rounds and handed it to my son, then he ran a couple rounds and it failed. So I think it occurred at that time. I know the hand rides inside the slot on the side plate, so I may have this wrong, but is the hand, when installed, supposed to be under light spring tension? That may be a stupid question, but I just can't remember.

Actually no. It doesn't snap back now that you mention it.

It does have the "M" modification. After trying to do some research, I'm starting to wonder if the "floating hand" on that model might be causing the problem. Seems they had a pretty high failure rate. I read that you drive out the pin on the trigger for the floating hand, and install a fixed hand. Then you'd have to fit it, and I don't remember right now how to do that.

Yessir I believe so.

686-1. It's cleaned and laid up for a pretty good while now. I have never had the first glitch out of this feller until today. My son and I took it out today. While shooting it we discovered that the cylinder it not rotating. My son was shooting when we first noticed. I was looking at the target and heard a couple rounds go off, then a couple of clicks. My first thought was "hard primer," until I turned around and looked at it and noticed that the cylinder was not rotating as it should be, as in not at all. You can try cocking the hammer, or try double action and the result is the same. The lockwork - hammer and trigger - function fine, but roundy thingy no turny. Apparently, it appears, the hand is not reaching out and engaging the cylinder to turn it. I removed the side plate (properly) and worked the action. Of course at this time the hand is not riding in the slot of the side plate, but I held light pressure with my thumb on the hand, and it engaged every time. But it won't engage with the plate on. By the way, the cylinder is not bound up in any way. You can pull the trigger back a little, or the hammer back a little, and it will rotate freely just as it always has. It's been a good while since I did any gunsmithing, and I'm a little rusty. I'm hoping it's something stupid that I'm just missing. What are your thoughts. What should I be looking for? ETA: By the way, the hand does appear to be in the same condition as it's always been, with the same profile. Doesn't appear to have anything broken off.

Light-Fu

And here's his final assembly. Bowie turned out great, his old buddy's knife is on there, and I thought he did a great job on the display. Old Joe is gonna love it!

Here it is out getting a little more tan on the leather via more beeswax and sunshine.

I wish it had been cast with someone else in the main role. I try not to watch anything with cruise in it. Can't stand the sight of him.

I was told this morning he has it complete. Being the jerks we are, he has it set up at the church to see if his Dad notices it Sunday morning. He's added the sheath, the other knife, and another antler to the mix. I'm anxious to see it. I'll get some pictures of it and post 'em up. Might even put up a pic of Joe's face if I can catch it.

What you could do is ship it to me and, over the next 30 or 40 years I'll dig up all the information I can for you.

Here's the Bowie my buddy hammered out for his Dad. He still has some finish work to do on it. He was shooting for straight up old school on the knife, and I was shooting for the same with the sheath, all of which fits his Dad to a "T." It's going to be mounted on this block with another small knife my buddy made some time ago for his Dad's friend, who unfortunately passed away a while back. It's all gonna be placed on the block together, with a small handmade plaque. I feel about like a kid at Christmas. I cannot wait to see his face, especially since he thinks he's getting just the knife itself. I think he's going to present it to him this Sunday morning before church. I might try to go down there for that before I go to my church. I think a lot of this gentleman, and it brought me a whole lot of joy to be able to take part in this project for him. I'll post another picture when he gets it all done and put together.

That's some good looking work there. I especially like the double mag pouch.

Now THAT is some remarkable ingenuity right there. Good thinking. I don't believe that would have ever occurred to me.

I want one like his! Is there extra cost? And how's the battery life?

I meant to ask you about the ferro rod holder. Did you do the fold over and splice into the welt. It looks like you were able to get the dimensions closer than I did. I wound up thinning the leather loop strip out too much and there's a dip in the leather where the loop is. From what I can see, you had a better result.

Thanks. I'm finding that there is going to be a WHOLE lot of stuff I need to learn. I'm quite certain I can use all the help I can get. Yep, try as I might, I just could not figure out how to re-attach that leather I screwed up. One of the few things I've learned so far is that leather work is a DO NOT HURRY!!!! type of craft.

GT, you and Sybo are just nothing short of ridiculous! I know I've said it before, but I have NEVER seen anything from the commercial knife companies that comes anywhere close to the level of craftsmanship produced by both of you. Knowing that ya'll are doing the majority of work by hand, and seeing the end result is amazing. It's very refreshing to be able to see that somebody takes pride in what they're doing. So I say please keep putting out knives for us to be jealous about. ( Yes, I do pull up the pictures and stare at them for long periods of time. I'm currently striving to not get professional help for that.)

Thank you sir. I appreciate that.

Saturday it was fighting me pretty hard. But by Sunday afternoon it had me in a full arm bar while laughing at me. Finally finished it up today and delivered it to him. My wife said "that looks medieval!" I said "exactly!" He's of Scottish ancestry, so I told him "Aye! Fit fer a Celt!" Goes well with his forged blade. And it's left handed for him. For a heavy knife, so it's wide and built heavy. I'm getting a big blessing out of being able to be a blessing to some friends and family, and I'm finding myself very thankful for it. I hope he wears it while he's preaching!

Here's his dad's. He's still not quite done with it, but it's looking better. I better get to work on that sheath!

Fine knife there too!

Nice job brother. I would rather have something turn out with the worn in look than have it all sparkly and commercial looking. It looks old school and I like it. But what I'm really digging is that fatwood handle on the ferro rod. Serves as a handle and tinder as well. That just kind of seals the deal there and brings it all together. I'm glad to see more folks reviving the old crafts and keeping the old ways alive. By the way, can I steal that fatwood idea?