Thread: What are you working on?

Originally Posted by MrZ

Did you ever consider a fiberglass backer just to add a little stability? And what was the dye that you used? She looks good.

The only variance to the directions on the box, is soak time. I like four hours minimum, for black horn. Six or more, for blonde/honey horn.

It needs to penetrate well, cause you'll still need to do a high grit sanding, or a good rubbing with steel wool before polishing them. I know from experience... Going thru the dye, sucks.

As for a backer......yours broke.!? There ya go, strong enough for normal use. They'll take almost as much to break them, as you would to break new ones. But why would you want to use that much force, in the first place.

They survived honing, repeated ironing before, during repairs. And again, after coming out of dye and oil.

BTW. neatsfoot oil on a hot iron, smells like fries cookin.
The cool part is, it doesn't smoke, and it cleans out all the green stuff in behind these metal inserts. Literally, it boils it to the surface where it can be wiped off with a rag. Let's them settle back into the scales after put in oil.

Originally Posted by jfk742

Holy ****, Mike. The new owner will be quite happy I’m sure, though now I’m a little disappointed in myself. How’s she shave?

It shaves great, but I gotta take it back to the 8K. I got a couple micro chips somewhere near the toe, tried pulling out a few whiskers during the shave. No blood or irritation, just pinched a couple times. Maybe its foiled there.....something.

Originally Posted by jfk742

Holy ****, Mike. The new owner will be quite happy [...]

Yes...yes I will!

I finally got this 76 Herder in a set of scales, that Tom sent.
I originally was going to pin them up in a set of carved, bone scales, that Rez sent awhile back.



Well that didn't pan out. After marking , drilling holes, making a wedge, put it in mock up pins.....the tang has a twist in it causing the whole edge to hit the scales. Tried everything I could think of...no go.

So I looked through my available scales, found a set with a rotten, busted, blade, and a scale that was broken at the wedge end. I pulled the junk blade, and mocked up the Herder. Low n behold.. A perfect, full fit.!!

So...repaired the scales, flattened, dyed and oiled.
Pinned with brass rod, and Austin's, N/S collars.

With the horn scales, I have flexibility, the bone is ridged.
So I was able to tweek the scales a bit, to allow the blade to center the scales. The bone also created a balance issue as well. Their more deserving to a heavier grind.

I like these better, anyhoo. Has that V-8 stuffed in a sports car, look.













BTW the scales were donated to me by MikeT, for a little challenge. Thanks Mike, . Just perfect, for this Herder

Nice jobs Mike. I am certain you will find the right match for those other scales when the time is right.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Nice jobs Mike. I am certain you will find the right match for those other scales when the time is right.

All in good time.

I was all worked up for that set up, who'd of thought the tang would've been twisted on a blade like that.

Those horn scales with the inlays look great. The bone looks good too. Glad you found the horn scales to work for ya. Its a good look.

Here is the set of broken scales I made. Broke them while pinning. And the broken Herder blade Mike T. sent me. Did a little marking on them and its going to be a great fit. Next weekend I will get to them and see if it all comes together in the end. Crossing my fingers I don't break the blade any more as its a nice one! My only Herder.



Any pointers or comments are welcome. Still need to figure out what to use as a wedge. Still playing with tip ideas.

The pivot end of the broken one looks to thick in its present state.

I would imitate a square tip like the original although I would mute the point.

Just thoughts good luck and I know whatever you decide it will turn out nice!

The clip on the spine at the tip is drawn pretty dramatic. I’m hoping you are not actually going the low and just spit balling.