Remarkable bladesmith
- Thread starter Sam Cade
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I was introduced to Salem at Ken Onion's back when Salem was coming up. He's developed into a remarkable bladesmith following his own muse.
BTW, he's self taught.
That's a BIG hammer!
Sam,
That's not his first knife, but it is the first time he'd made that type!
BTW, he's self taught.
That's a BIG hammer!
Sam,
That's not his first knife, but it is the first time he'd made that type!
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Oh, and this is an integral also!!!
Shanghai McCoy
Member
Wow....
He's a craftsman with a gift.
Double_J
Member
WOW!!!! What a skilled knife-maker with some beautiful work.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Big isn't quite a strong enough word.
I have my grandfathers sledge hammer he used working on steam engines in the early 1900's.
I weighs 9 pounds with the handle.
And it looks to be about the same size.
It is a real chore to swing very long, with two hands!!
One things for sure.
You wouldn't want that guy getting hold of you by the neck with his right hand if he got real mad!!
Regardless of that.
Incredible work, and innovative designs for sure!!
Not sure I ever saw the integral tapered tang flipped on it's side like that before?
And the scale inlay on the knife in post #2.
How the heck did he do that?????
It must be poured in place with black epoxy or something?
rc
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kieranklein
Member
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2014
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- 127
It's a key hole integral the wood is carved to the shape of the metal to fit on both ends.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I know.
I have done more then a few inlays, stock making, pistol grip fitting, etc.
And used to consider myself pretty good for an amateur.
But I couldn't do that on a bet when I could still see, run faster, & jump higher.
rc
I have done more then a few inlays, stock making, pistol grip fitting, etc.
And used to consider myself pretty good for an amateur.
But I couldn't do that on a bet when I could still see, run faster, & jump higher.
rc
[strike]RC,
That's not inlay. The piece of wood is carved like a puzzle piece and fitted. It is far more substantial than a tile or scale and exponentially harder to do.[/strike]
Kieran beat me to it.
RC, I don't think all of us here together have the talent and skill that young Mr. Straub has.
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Nickb45
Member
These bladesmiths do some amazing stuff with metal! I recently started workin with a local bladesmith. I'm a machinist so i would rather the machine do most of the work. There is no machine that can replace what these guys do with their hands.
I got this piece of damascus from the guy I've been working with, this is just a simple fold pattern.
Some of the designs and patterns he forges are simply amazing!
I got this piece of damascus from the guy I've been working with, this is just a simple fold pattern.
Some of the designs and patterns he forges are simply amazing!
jerkface11
Member
The one on the left is amazing. Also I'm scared to ask what Mr. Straub would charge for those knives.
Nickb45
Member
That piece of material on the left is about 11" long, 2" wide and .25" thick. He said it would be around $400 just for the piece of steel.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
I am not easily impressed, I am impressed.
rbernie
Contributing Member
No kidding. That's just mad mad skillz.
Wow.
Wow.
jerkface,
He got $800 for the firecracker integral, IIRC.
He got $800 for the firecracker integral, IIRC.
jerkface11
Member
Usually when I see an $800 price on a knife it doesn't look worth it. This is an exception.
Nickb45
Member
$800 is a very fair price for a knife like that!
Blade First
Member
"He's a craftsman with a gift."
He deserves a little less understatement...I'm thinking more on the scale of:
Good googly moogly!
He deserves a little less understatement...I'm thinking more on the scale of:
Good googly moogly!
jerkface11
Member
This goes well beyond craftsman. More like master.
Jerkface,
Almost. Salem himself wasn't perfectly happy with the Firecracker, but you can bet the next one he does he'll have ironed out the imperfections for fit and finish (and he still won't be 100% satisfied).
To make ABS Master Smith there won't be any gaps, the balance will need to be spot on, a knife itself will have to go through performance tests that are absurd, AND that's 5 knives of various style to make it. I have no doubt Salem would be able to do that, if he wanted.
Almost. Salem himself wasn't perfectly happy with the Firecracker, but you can bet the next one he does he'll have ironed out the imperfections for fit and finish (and he still won't be 100% satisfied).
To make ABS Master Smith there won't be any gaps, the balance will need to be spot on, a knife itself will have to go through performance tests that are absurd, AND that's 5 knives of various style to make it. I have no doubt Salem would be able to do that, if he wanted.
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