#hardroadtomaster

Here we go again, .. #dragonsbreathforge #turningtheworldtodust #hardroadtomaster https://www.instagram.com/p/CLNV-fIl-j3/?igshid=1kx2494dw6o38

Well it's a thing . Did a bit of surgery on the bullet and removed the portion that I didn't like added a fish mouth weld to the point cut the bar I half and forged out a dagger blade this one is a little over 10" once it's cool I'll give it a quick grind and check the pattern. #turningtheworldtodust #dragonsbreathforge #hardroadtomaster https://www.instagram.com/p/CCWfdmcl5K4/?igshid=17u6ozrpwyis9

Closer but not what I had in mind .. I think I am going to reforge this one as a.curved dagger and try again. The little chef I did out of the cut off.is.cool if a little weird. #turningtheworldtodust #dragonsbreathforge #hardroadtomaster (at Dragon's Breath Forge) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCWxt2-lF8B/?igshid=13xj1sdhzbc9f

A pretty good day all parts are final shaped heat treated the handle is fluted and the channels for the wire are cut all that is left is some minor refining, polishing, etching and assembly. Wait that is still a ton of work!!! #damascusdagger #hardroadtomaster #turningtheworldtodust #dragonsbreathforge #bladeshow2019 (at Dragon's Breath Forge) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByGgSzYFvt6/?igshid=1qez3or6iknno

Coffin handle is done.. #dagger #damascus #dragonsbreathforge #turningtheworldtodust #hardroadtomaster (at Dragon's Breath Forge) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxa1-J7FFgV/?igshid=1d7hrbnsw5aej

All done, 360lay forced random pattern silver spacer stableized spalted maple burl and a star Sapphire. This is one of the coolest things I have ever made. The pattern moves in the light like nothing I have made before. #hardroadtomaster #dragonsbreathforge #turningtheworldtodust https://www.instagram.com/p/BxVWiMflXN_/?igshid=1rbt95zx3zhtm

The set is complete. I will however not be submitting them. These are very good knives but they are not my best work. In the final finishing of the dagger I found errors I can not correct, it was many months ago I made errors, I should not have and if I was to submit and pass (unlikely) It would feel hollow. I have not given up on testing for mastersmith, but it will not be at blade this year. Thank all of you for your support. This test got in my head and I let it mess me up, it was the support of all of you that helped to keep going. Finishing these five knives feels like a victory in and of it's self and a solid foundation for me to build on for my future run at master. If nothing else this experience has shown me how perseverance and dedication is important and that doing the work is the import part of all this , the title should one earn it is just a reflection of a fact not a goal in and of it's self. These are all available for sale at bladeshow table 21P. #dragonsbreathforge #turningtheworldtodust #hardroadtomaster #hittingareststop #bladeshow2019 (at Dragon's Breath Forge) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByQj10oFX8Q/?igshid=100vv7v2mcka6

More progress on dagger and finished out this little hunter for my table at bladeshow table 21p... Long day. #dragonsbreathforge #hardroadtomaster #turningtheworldtodust #bladeshow2019 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx0mkcQl4m_/?igshid=1ix0ifc129n8h