Recently finished

Ray Cover

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Nov 14, 2006
Messages
1,012
Location
Missouri
Just as a side bar to the recent threads on overdoing gold, I have had several jobs this year with no gold at all. This is one of them. I finished this about a week go.

The knife was assembled and the fittings are 303 stainless both of which presented their own problems but I am happy with the results.

Broadwell1.jpg broadwell3.jpg
 

grumpyphil

Elite Cafe Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2011
Messages
106
Ray, that's quite nice! I get the fact that it being assembled would be a problem but what was the problem with the 303?
 

Ray Cover

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Nov 14, 2006
Messages
1,012
Location
Missouri
The 303 was tough to cut. Yes it is a free machining steel but its not a free engraving steel. I spent a huge amount of time sharpening gravers on this. Dubbing the point and raising the face angle helped but there is a limit to haw much you can get away on that and still be able to do the very fine starts of those tapered shade lines.

I would say that it is not because it is particularly hard but like Jeff said its a little gummy and just tough. It really test you metal when it comes to smooth fluid cutting technique. If you cutting technique gets even a little off you've busted a point.

Ray
 

mullerforge

Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2011
Messages
54
Location
way out in MO
Really nice. The 303 is difficult to machine, engrave, polish, etc. etc. etc. The price compared to 416 is a big difference when buying in bulk.
 

Ray Cover

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Nov 14, 2006
Messages
1,012
Location
Missouri
Your right about the price of 303 compared to 416 ... except when I have to engrave it. Because I spent more time on 303 in sharpening and difficulty I charge a healthy premium for it. On this job it was MUCH more expensive to use 303.

Most of the time when I end up with 303 on a job like this it is because the knifemaker can't find 416 in the size he needs when he needs it.

Ray
 
Top