A little ergo Ulu

Knife-makers

Did some horse tradin' with a buddy down in GA, and got several semicircular pieces of Damascus in the process. I looked at this one, and it just hollered ULU at me. Was able to ID the material via another guy, it's 5160 and 1018, rolled in a mill. Here's a pic of the piece as I received it, after sanding and a quick etch:

Raw ULU Damascus stockRaw ULU Damascus stock   

 

 

 

 

Decided to get a little fancy with the handle (Mesquite burl), and cut a slot in it to fit the blade into. Did the first cuts with the bandsaw, the rest was hand filing. A PITA, but it came out nice:

Ulu Progress 1Ulu Progress 1   

 

 

 

 

Hardened it in room temp water and got a nice HRC 57 or so. Sharpened and etched it, here's a pic with the handle test fitted, front. I like how the pattern sort of follows the blade shape:

Test Fit frontTest Fit front    

 

 

 

 

And the rear. I really like the rear pattern better, but what the heck:

Test Fit rearTest Fit rear    

 

 

 

 

Going to see about maybe bluing the blade and scrubbing the highlights for more contrast, and finishing it up today.


Bobbie's picture

Trading

Bobbie Horn
South Plains of West Texas
Very nice! One of my favorite people to trade with many years ago was a knife maker in Alabama. I took his "scraps" gladly. Not only did you make a good trade but you are making a beautiful piece with it. I can't wait to see the finished product.
Bobbie


Radharc's picture

You asked for it.

Thanks, Bobbie. I just selected a bunch of woods tonight, to complete my side of the trade. I did finish it yesterday, here are some pics. 

Ulu FrontUlu Front

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ulu rearUlu rear

 

 

 

 

 

Handle detailHandle detail

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edge detailEdge detail