Leuku

[Palmier]

Good evening,
Yesterday,i finished the sheat of my leuku.
I changed my mind looking at the posts in the forum,my first idea was to use a walnut handle with brass bolster and guard.
But i thought to remain closer to tradition using a field maple handle and red deer (i have no reindeer) antler for bolster and pommel.
I hope the swell at the pommel is big enough ,the shape of the antler dictated the shape of the pommel,and i reached the marrow very soon.
Brass hides the marrow.
The blade comes from Brisa,it's a Lauri Leuku 175mm polished.I d'nt made anything on the blade except threading the tang to put a nut.
The sheat is oiled leather,it includes a pine wood lining.The maple leaf hides a flaw (a stain)on the leather.
I had many difficulties to sew the sheat because my thread often opened the leather,probably i made the thread holes too near of the leather edge.I have yet many improvements to do .
All criticals are welcome as it will improve my "work" (it's far more a pleasure).
Thanks to view my pictures.

[Wrangler]

Knife and sheath look very well made to me, many congrats Monsieur Palmier!

[Gazo]

One of the best Leuku I seen, been fancying one for a while.

[bwildered]

I think the maple leaf is great, also the the timber and the engravings are pleasing to the eye. Good idea engraving the front of the bolster, it makes the package look better IMHO.

You wanted critical, so things I'm not so sure about are the thickness of the bolster (might crack in heavy use), the stitching wheel marks on the decoration and the look of the nut. Having said that, the nut is good for re-tensioning the handle assembly. Usually they are hidden inside the pommel if they exist, though. A tip for future leukus is that the sheath tends to run almost all the way up to the flare - if you want it to be like the traditional ones.

[mikew]

That looks very well done, I like the choice of materials and the simplicity of the design.

As usual, bwildered as hit the nail on the head about possible future improvements. One thing I would add is there apears to be a visible glue line between the bolster and the maple. To avoid this make sure both surfaces are totaly flat and clamped up tight. The use of a fibre spacer also helps make a neat join between two materials.

[Scoutmaster]

Frankly thats a great looking knife
As has been said there are glue lines showing and the nut on the pomel is one thing I dont like myself.
Dont be too hard on yourself about these things as you are just starting out look at THIS for some pointers

[Palmier]

Good evening,
Thanks for your kind replies.
For the glue lines,i made a mistake:usually ,i put the handle in a jig to compress the various elements while gluing,but i thought it was not useful for this one as the nut acted in the same manner.I was wrong because the little screw was unable to sqeeze the epoxy out of the joint correctly.
Bwildered is right,i have a trouble to make a sheat that goes high enough on the handle.I d'nt know the reason,but i will try to correct this.
May be the bolster is too weak,i am not yet accustomed to use use antler so i d'nt know really how this material stands under impact or other stress.My be it will shrink?
I'ts useful to have good trained makers to say what youy have to improve so you can avoid mistakes .
Thanks to all.

[bwildered]

I should probably have added that it's one of the best first leukus I've seen. I probably like it more than the latest one I made myself

[redbeard rum]

I should probably have added that it's one of the best first leukus I've seen. I probably like it more than the latest one I made myself

+1
I think you've progressed hugely in these couple of knives, congratulations, keep it up
mile

[TLM]

Nice clean lines on the knife, looks well made too. I am not really complaining but pointing out that traditionally the sheath is a bit longer covering more of the handle, especially the lightly tapering part, it tends to keep the leuku in place more securely. I think I have lost one or too because the sheath was not quite tight enough.

[Palmier]

Good evening,
Many thanks for your kind comments.
Greetings.

[K-E Lindblad]

Well made sheath decorations. I must make me a Leuku myself this summer! I like the antler fittings and decorations.