Work in progress - If I remember. . . .

[Critical Edge]

Haha, patience Seagull. Patience.....

[irbailey]

Hi Ian, how do you clean up the excess solder? Thanks, Ian.

Great difficulty

Seriously, I wipe the joint very lightly whilst its still hot, not too much or the solder will drag out of the joint. The better the fit, the easier this is. I then go round it with a small de-soldering device I made. This is simply a block of brass about 3/8" square by 1/2" long brazed onto an old screwdriver. This will scrape away the solder without harming the blade or guard. The rear of the guard I clean up with a second cut square file with one side ground safe. Whatever you do, don't be tempted to use any file on the ricasso side of the guard. I guarantee you will be looking at the gouge marks and kicking yourself for a long time!!
After the worst of the solder has been removed, I simply go round the joint with a piece of 600 grit wet & dry backed up with a piece of sole leather.

Heres what I got done tonight.
Blade of chute ground to a near zero edge and polished a bit.

Guard fitted and pins ready to go.

Pins after a damn good thrashing.

Getting ready to solder. Note the little gas torch in the background. Its just the right size for guards, not so hot it will ruin the temper, but hot enough to be fast.

A nice saturated joint after soldering.

[mikesknives]

Really enjoying this thread, your working style is totally Loveless.

[irbailey]

Heres the join after clean up. I leave the sides until I shape the handle, as they are fairly close to the finished size, and its easy to take them down too much. Plus its always good to find out you've got a bad pin fit when the knife is virtually finished It makes the anger that little bit more intense !!!

Heres the two of them ready for the handles, the drop point is going to be green canvas Micarta, and the chute is macassar ebony. Both with red fibre liners and brass fittings.

Once again, thanks for looking. I'm still in shock as to how much interest this has attracted. To be honest I thought it would sink without trace in a day or two. Amazing.

Cheers, Ian

[irbailey]

Really enjoying this thread, your working style is totally Loveless.

I may have picked up a tip or two from the book and video

Cheers, Ian

[Frase]

great thread!
Where do you sell your knives have you got a website?

[irbailey]

No website I'm afraid. I'll drop you a PM.
I'm now in the process of working out how to put a link to my photobucket album at the bottom of my posts
I'm a bit of a novice on computers I'm afraid!

Ian

[mikesknives]

I may have picked up a tip or two from the book and video

Cheers, Ian

Best thing is now you've given us the colour pictures the book should have had

[irbailey]

Best thing is now you've given us the colour pictures the book should have had

Just a shame my workshop doesn't contain the same ammount of tools/machines

Or Jim Merritt!

Still, no harm in dreaming I suppose

Ian

[Iron Hoarder]

You're obviously much better than you thought you were. Of course since people keep placing orders you should have realized that awhile back. Way too humble. Thats what you are.

[DCL]

this is a really great tread thanks for showing how you do it, and you do it top nice..

DC

[rcs]

Sticky?

[sparrow75]

I agree,this is sticky stuff

[RIKARDPHOTO]

very much so.... Great stuff Ian - let's see more!!!!

[lilzee]

3rded for sticky