Blades I bought at the ECCKS (w/pics)

[Harry White]

Today I took the train to NYC to go to the East Coast Custom Knife Show -- my first custom knife show. What a great day. I met lots of cool people and saw some of the most extraordinary knives I've ever seen. Unfortunately, most were way out of my league, price-wise. But I did pick up two "blades" (note I did not say knives). I also had informative and very pleasant conversations with master knife-makers, including Pat Crawford, Jot Singh Khalsa, Bob Lum, Shosui Takeda, Bud Nealy, Gil Hibben, and Brian Tighe.

The knives that really took my breath away were simple Japanese cooking knives. These were the sharpest knives I have ever handled. I picked up a small unfinished blade (no handle) just to be able to experience the super steel used in Shousui Takeda's knives -- Aogami ("Blue") Super Steel (AS) by Hitachi Metals, LTD. Takeda's company is Takeda Hamono, Inc., based in Okayama, Japan. His knives use the very hard, high carbon Aogami Super Steel at the core, layered with a softer, low carbon steel. He sharpens everything using a simple whetstone attached to a small board, lots of water, and constant, gentle freehand strokes. The result is beyond belief.

I also picked up an unfinished Damascus blade -- again missing a handle, and while the knife edge was somewhat ground, it was not sharpened. I figure I could practice my sharpening on this one, and possibly learn to make handles for both.

Here are some pics.

First, a group shot, with a Spyderco UKPK on top for size comparisons (similar to the Caly and Delica in size), the Damascus blade in the center, and the Aogomi Super Steel (AS) blade on the bottom:
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/7842/hpim0173webnz3.jpg

Next is a close up of the damascus blade in hand:
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/7364/hpim0179webso5.jpg

Finally, two shots of the Japanese high carbon blade. Note the smooth transition between the layers of steel. This blade is SHARP!:D
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/2124/hpim0178webxw0.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/4350/hpim0177webbm7.jpg

All in all, a fun day in the city.:)

[flyguy]

Looks like fun. Please don't be shy about posting follow up pics. Hope you enjoy your new blades and are more than happy with your new "knives" some day. :)

[Harry White]

Thanks flyguy! My mind has been racing, thinking of what I can do with these blades. So, I'm open for suggestions. All you amateur or pro knife makers out there, what can I novice like me do with these "blanks" to make them more "finished"?

PS - Is Damascus steel layered like that throughout the entire thickness of the steel? In other words, is it possible to "rub out" the Damascus pattern? (Not that I want to -- just curious).

Thanks.

[yablanowitz]

Yes, the Damascus is layered like that throughout the steel, and yes, it is possible to rub out the pattern. The blade is acid etched to bring out the pattern, so if you polish it enough, you won't see the pattern without re-etching (or letting it oxidize). The pattern is formed by different steels (harder and softer) oxidizing at different rates.

[Harry White]

Thank you Yab -- Damascus is a steel I'm not too familiar with (obviously).

Today I took my first stab at cord wrapping a knife handle. I used the Takeda blade made with Aogami Super Steel and some black paracord (with "guts" intact).

Here is the result -- not too shabby for a first time! :D

Close-up:
http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/1420/hpim0187detailsa7.jpg

And a full-shot from both sides:
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/3721/hpim0186yy2.jpg

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/1727/hpim0189iv6.jpg

[bh49]

Knife come out very nice, good job Harry.

[jaislandboy]

nice scores Harry....great job on the cord wrap.....any stingray skin underneath?...;)
that Damascus piece looks sweet as well...I can't wait to see what you're gonna do to it...:rolleyes: :cool: