[Sam1911]

A friend was able to purchase one of the last of Don Llewellyn's large knives.

As this was was a bit special, he thought it might be nice to have it high polished. Don sent it along to me and I've finally chased out the last grind mark, oiled the handle with a couple of coats of my favorite oil finish, and sharpened and honed a keen edge.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/ValkmanNightmare031.jpg

The unique beveling is Don's "Nightmare" grind. 10" hollow ground which transitions into a steeper flat grind at the point.

[Sam1911]

So what is an "Ultra" polish? Something like this:

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/ValkmanNightmare027.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/ValkmanNightmare029.jpg

[Sam1911]

A decor shot, long shutter beside the campfire:

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/sam1911/Knife%20Work/ValkmanNightmare007.jpg

[Jason_G]

How easy was it to deal with the grind transition when sharpening? It's a beaut by the way :cool:

Jason

[Sam1911]

Wasn't really a problem. As it came out, the sharpening angle becomes less acute toward the tip, so the straight part of the blade is a bit more of a slicer, and the point is a bit more obtuse/sturdy, but the sharpened angle flows smoothly so I didn't have any trouble there.

[Valkman]

Nice job Sam! I'm glad I don't have to grind anymore of those. :) But I did try and grind it so sharpening would be no problem since I thought I'd be doing it! lol

[hso]

Nice polish, Sam.

The Pesh Kabz used a reinforced tip for penetrating chain mail. It looks like Don had something similar in mind here giving a good slicing edge with a reinforced stabbing tip.

[Brian Williams]

That is sweet, polish like that takes a while.

[Sam1911]

...polish like that takes a while. Er...yes. Not sure how much of that I really feel like doing, but it isn't so terribly bad. GunKote is easier. Polish & blue is that much more work. Blast and blue? We'll see... :)

[Gordon]

Very nice , from both of you.

[788Ham]

Beautiful job Sam, you ought to be proud of your work!

[SuperNaut]

I'm the lucky and proud owner of The Nightmare. I just got it today and due to Don and Sam's efforts it is simply stunning. I figured that since this was last of it's kind, hollow ground, as well as a naked blade, it was a good candidate to have a high polish and Sam agreed; despite knowing the extra effort it would require.

I've been staring at it constantly since I opened the box, so very amazed and happy!

Thanks Don and Sam, you guys are the best!

[Sam1911]

Awww, shucks. :o My pleasure, and I'm sure, Don's too -- though he's the craftsman here. I just did a little sprucing up. Enjoy it!

[Valkman]

No, you did an amazing job on a knife I thought was finished!