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Caedmon's Antler Handle Fire Steel

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2017 8:41 am
by caedmon
(I split this post to allow me to report on the progress of my Antler handle Firesteel. New post start about four posts down. )


Yes that is interesting, good eye. It also solves certain issues with the mold.[/quote]

Interesting - how so?

Easy, It absolves you of having to make a complex mold. All you have to do is make a single striker with a drifted hole, and then carve a 'scale' and cast two of them. Sandwich them, rivit, et voi'la.

Re: First metal casting steps...

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2017 9:03 am
by caedmon
Elleth wrote:
If I were copying mine in lost wax, I'd probably create the plaster mold vertically, and pour from the top of the lanyard portion. With a stone mold.... perhaps either two panels like in the original, or a three-piece perhaps not entirely unlike a spearhead mold?

Anyhow, I'm honestly curious in your expertise caedmon - I'd like my final piece to be something that could be made with medieval technology, even if the Shapeways staff are actually doing it in a modern studio. Could you tell me what if anything I need to change to be more period-plausible?
Ok, I wouldn't approach a single piece striker holder in lost wax, I'd go with a stone mold. But with lost wax I'd probably do the opposite, have the pour spout down one leg, and an air vent up the other. Something like this illustration:
lost wax.png
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I think I would prefer a three part stone mold along these lines:
striker_mold.png
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But I have been thinking this through since you posted your first images and here's were I currently am:
striker_variants.png
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The divit in the striker is a way to hold it in place without doing to many rivits.
bone_striker.jpg
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Re: First metal casting steps...

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2017 1:11 pm
by Elleth
Oh my word caedmon, that's gorgeous! I love it!!!!
In your final piece, will the detail be raised or inscribed?

Also, thank you so much for the molding advice- that's awesome.

SOCOOLICANTWAITTOSEEYOURSDONE!! :mrgreen:

Re: First metal casting steps...

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2017 5:59 pm
by caedmon
With this current piece. The holder is carved from antler and the decoration will be scrimshawed on.

Re: Caedmon's Antler Handle Fire Steel

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 5:34 pm
by caedmon
Got back to smithing and finished the firesteel this weekend. Here's the current state.

Need to do the scrimshaw and pin it and I'm done. (Shouldn't take more than 4 years)
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Re: Caedmon's Antler Handle Fire Steel

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 6:50 pm
by Iodo
Great work :mrgreen: Love it!

Re: Caedmon's Antler Handle Fire Steel

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 10:16 pm
by Greg
Time is immaterial in this hobby...it’ll be worth it! Looks great.

Re: Caedmon's Antler Handle Fire Steel

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 12:15 am
by Elleth
Oh... that is fantastic! I can't wait to see it together!

.... and don't feel too bad: I've backburnered mine even longer. Time time time... :/

The pattern you drew: is it going to me "kolrossed" into it? Or carved out in relief like your star? Or something else?

Re: Caedmon's Antler Handle Fire Steel

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 8:28 am
by caedmon
Elleth wrote:
The pattern you drew: is it going to be "kolrossed" into it? Or carved out in relief like your star? Or something else?
I intend for the pattern to be scratched and filled with coal or ink, as soon as I am sure of my technique. I had though kolrosing was just for wood. But now I see it's used on bone & antler. I had been planning scrimshaw, but I don't know the difference.

As for the vine pattern, I am unsure on that. It is intended to be plantish but also a reclaimed Dunedain decendent of the (Black) Numenorean Eye of Sauron border motif. (Association is entirely my headcannon)
Screen Shot 2018-07-17 at 12.18.13 AM.png
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But what that looks like for me is still in flux. That picture was done before I worked on my Dunedain girdlepurse where I think I settled on something closer to my final version.
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Re: Caedmon's Antler Handle Fire Steel

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2018 4:01 am
by caedmon
Working on Skrimshaw ideas, is the too elvish?
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Re: Caedmon's Antler Handle Fire Steel

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2018 6:37 pm
by Elleth
That is an interesting thought!

I think for a Dunedain persona at least, the Two Trees is familiar enough lore that it's a reasonable motif.
... Will they be in leaf in the final carving? I also like the medieval-ish ivy on the knife. Is that a Penguin piece by any chance?