Thread: Fox Cutlery in Gaboon Ebony

As I posted in the ebony thread, I was finishing up this ebay blade, and got it done today. Before:
Ouch-This happened as I was laying it out for a photo straight out of the shipping box. Good excuse for a rescale!

The blade was in great shape save for some tarnish on the tang, water-spotting on the blade face, and some scratching around the bevel.

Because the blade was hollow-ground, I just un-pinned it, and went to work with Mother's and rags. In a fit of genius (or insanity), I got the bright idea to apply Mother's to a 4-inch cotton wheel on my buffer. Though it was a bit messy, it took off most of the pitting. Then I brightened it up with the Fabuluster wheels, though I left some character marks and water-staining on that hollow-ground blade.

I cut and shaped the scales from Gaboon Ebony, shaped them on the belts, and hand-sanded to 3000. Though it's hard to see it in my lousy iphone pics, I was going for beveled edges on the wood, which sort of worked. I finished them out with Fabuluster on a cotton wheel, waxed them with carnauba wax (what I had on hand-I need to get some Renaissance Wax!), then a final buff on a loose cotton wheel. Though it's hard to tell, they took a beautiful high polish, and even have that "wet" look up close.

They're a little thick, and not 100% even, but I am getting a little better at this with each razor. The aluminum wedge could have been thinner and more tapered front to back. I'm going to REALLY study some of the tutorials by Outback, Ice-Dog, Splashone and Karlej before I do my next one, as the wedge and final alignment and pinning has been the make or break step for me on some past efforts. Though this one is not aligned perfectly and I don't have that "tension bow" like I should, they still close centered and tight, so I'll take it on this one. At least there are no big gaps this time between wood and wedge!

She pinned up easily and tightly with NiAg pins and brass washers. On that part at least I feel pretty confident. Though I beat them up a little in the process, they polished up nicely.

And finally, my truck dashboard had to serve as my redneck "lightbox" until I find or make another one. After I hone it, this one will be put away as a possible Christmas gift for my 22-year old son (who just got his 1st engineering job!). I love the blade design with the thumb notch, so may have to get another one for myself! Thanks for looking! Aaron

That is some nice work! I like the aluminum wedge, the silver with the black is a great look. Thanks for sharing your methods. It turned out great!

Thanks, Xiaotuzi-That means a lot coming from your level of expertise. I've got a ways to go to get to your level of fit and finish, but I seem to get more comfortable at each step with the skills.

I've got a beautiful Ern Ator I want to do next. My goal with it is to get the scale thicknesses even and correct, nail the wedge issue (not literally, though I am learning to use one of those homemade nail jigs to keep it stable while surface sanding), and get the fit and alignment right with a proper wedge thickness and angle-that seems to make all the difference. You guys keep me inspired to do better each time!

I may also try a new finish option next time, maybe the Minnwax Polycrilic or even epoxy. Thanks again-Aaron

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

Thanks, Xiaotuzi-That means a lot coming from your level of expertise. I've got a ways to go to get to your level of fit and finish...

Thanks for the kind words! But the only thing I would consider myself an expert at is not giving up . I have a ton to learn and much improving to do which is what makes this hobby so enjoyable, worthwhile and rewarding. Most everything I've learned I credit to the pool of knowledge shared by so many fine craftsmen here. We're all learning for each other so please keep posting what you do and keep up the good work!

I think I had seen that and also hoped a hiker might get it! Excellent!

Look great, like the scale shape.

A great source for Ebony is from broken carved statues, at Antique Flea markets and thrift stores, I have bought large broken statues for as little as a dollar. You can easily tell it, by the weight and looking at the bottom to make sure it is not resin.

Tons of broken desert Ironwood also.