Ok, I guess a 4.5" blade isn't that
wee, but with my other two project being a 15" and a 19" blade it feels pretty wee to me.
This blade was largely a platform for experiments. I've wanted to try using antler for a handle, so when I saw this piece of elk antler being sold as a
dog chew, I grabbed it. Pretty and cheap and fit well in my hand. The blade is 1084 as usual. I started with 3/16ths stock and drew it fairly wide. I tapered the blade down to an unfinished edge of .5mm, so this thing really slices well. It took a wicked edge very easily.
I tried a patina experiment on the sheath this time. I like the patina much better than the BrassBlack I used last time, but it took me a while to get the texture of the metal, the patina, and what I used to selectively remove the patina, balanced for the right effect. This brass on the tip I used too aggressive an abrasive - it looks too much like leopard spots. The rear edge piece I hit too hard and no often enough with the hammer so it's a bit spotted too. The front band that goes around the handle is pretty much exactly what I wanted, so I'm happy. Now when I finish the 15" seax I won't be smacking myself for screwing up the sheath on something that I've put so much time into.
Any project you learn something on is a success in my book.
