Darter Push Dagger WIP

Serge Panchenko · Dec 30, 2010

Hey guys, I'll do another WIP knife, this time a push dagger. This one is inspired by Virgil Englands work, he has been my favorite maker for a long time. This dagger is based on a skull of a bird called "African Darter", see pic below (photo copied from skullsite.com). The steel is 1080 and the overall length is 6".

Starting to cut out the eye socket.

Eye socket complete.

Nose hole finished.

Textured and ready for bevels.

I'll post some more pics later tonight. Now back to work

John L · Dec 30, 2010

Serge: Good as usual...how do you texture the steel?

John White · Dec 30, 2010

Uh oh! A peek inside the mind of Serge P. Are we strong enough?

John

Lorien · Dec 30, 2010

crap.

my mind can't handle all this creativity, I better go and drink a beer.

SBranson · Dec 30, 2010

OH man... as soon as I saw the skull I broke my creativity bone.

SOOO Inspired and Inspiring. An artist's mind and eye.

Steve Nuckels · Dec 30, 2010

This will be interesting!

Steve
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Potomac Forge

Serge Panchenko · Dec 30, 2010

Thanks

Here's where I am now..

Bevels ground and handrubbed.

Heat treated.

Beginning clean up.

More tomorrow.

Serge Panchenko · Dec 31, 2010

John, texturing is done with a carbide burr. Todays work:

Profiled the Bocote handle scales.

Sanding and contouring the scales.

Scales are ready for gluing.

More tomorrow.

irbailey · Dec 31, 2010

Serge, I love the fact that you can look at a birds skull and see a knife in it...you really are one seriously talented chap and what I'd describe as 'sideways thinking'!

I'd love to have even half of your design talent. Every knife you make is distinctly 'Panchenko'.

To make knives with your own unique identity is a skill in it's self.

Impressive stuff.:thumbup:

Ian

Serge Panchenko · Jan 2, 2011

Ian, thank you brother!

Todays work..Beggining to shape the brass plates.

The handle is fitted, brass plates are textured and fitted, the blade spine and all around the handle scales texturing complete.

I'll be gluing up the handle tomorrow.

RogerP · Jan 2, 2011

So much coolness in such a small space.

Roger

Magnus Axelson · Jan 2, 2011

Another very nice piece from you Serge!

/Magnus

Serge Panchenko · Jan 3, 2011

Thanks guys

Todays progress... The brass plates have been pinned on.

Beginning to patinate.

Blade is 100% complete, handle needs to be glued on (already done).

I think I just need one more morning to complete it, so tomorrow the dagger should be done

John White · Jan 3, 2011

Serge,

This is too much. Love it.

John

Dawkind · Jan 3, 2011

Another fine work, Serge....

peterinct · Jan 3, 2011

VERY cool WIP Serge.

Thanks for posting it and i'll be looking forward to seeing the finished dagger.

Peter

EScott · Jan 3, 2011

Yet another awesome knife. I envy your creativity.

Serge Panchenko · Jan 4, 2011

Thanks! The Darter Push Dagger is finished. I still need to make a stand for it, hopefully in the next day or so. This one was time consuming, but I think it came out well. I'll be starting another project soon, I'll try to make it a WIP as well. Thanks for all who were following this thread, and I hope you guys enjoyed it!

irbailey · Jan 4, 2011

Superb.

Thanks for sharing the build with us.:thumbup:

Ian

xaman · Jan 4, 2011

Serge, you are amazing. I know that may sound trite, but I am truly blown away by your creativity AND your ability to pull it off. Amazing, really...

The only downside is that now that your talent is "out of the bag", I'm going to have to sprint to your table when the doors open at this year's Blade Show in Atlanta

Darter Push Dagger WIP

Nose to the Grindstone