My other hobby filling time in isolation. Finished page 8.

[ChrisL]

They are beautiful, I'm very impressed.
Do you do commissions?

[Weathers]

They are beautiful, I'm very impressed.
Do you do commissions?

My wife asked the same questions regarding commissions. Great work Duncan.

[greenwoo]

stunning...

let's see, among our merry band we have some clever bods who can make things....me? err demolition and destruction.

[DJ.]

Thanks
I've tried to avoid selling things I make, because if I added up the hours to make them, even at minimum wage it would add up to quite a sum!

[DJ.]

stunning...

let's see, among our merry band we have some clever bods who can make things....me? err demolition and destruction.

You built this forum community. We all have different talents

[Wingco]

They are very nice Duncan, also to get two to match when you make them free hand is an art in its self. What handles will you use ? are you going to make them as well ?

[DJ.]

Thanks Colin, I'll be starting the handles soon and will post photos. It's a lot easier stopping to take photos working with wood rather than at the forge

[DJ.]

The first stage of fitting handles (after shortening the tang to a suitable length) is to drill a hole for the securing pin. I don't like to just rely on glue to hold a handle on, so I drill a 2.5mm hole for the pin. I drill it near the end of the tang partly to not weaken the tang at a point of high stress and partly so anyone can see how long the tang is in the handle.
Here is the wood I have chosen (from the wardrobe ):

The hole needs to be at 90 degrees to the centre line of the blade in two planes, but the hand made blades do not make this easy. I have come up with a technique of clamping the blade supported by a shim and supporting the tang with a small block. It is easier to see how it works than describe it:

Here's a picture of the pin in the hole taken from above, I am quite happy with this:

[Tony C]

stunning...

let's see, among our merry band we have some clever bods who can make things....me? err demolition and destruction.

Well you did ask, run out of proper jobs, I couldn't match Duncan's forge skills, so had a go at a spot of papier-mâché. Needs a proper base, and I'm not sure the RSPB would accept it as a truly representative of the real thing

[DJ.]

That's brilliant
Has it got a chicken wire frame inside?