Tag Archives: fabrication

Making a Kagamibuta Netsuke Bowl Part 4

Posted on May 20, 2013 by metal_musings

Now it’s time to color our antler kagamibuta bowl.  I’ll be soaking the antler first in a hot, but relatively weak solution of potassium permanganate (KMnO4), then polishing to remove much of the color.  I’ll repeat this a number of … Continue reading →

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Making a Kagamibuta Netsuke Bowl Part 3

Posted on May 20, 2013 by metal_musings

Above, I’ve installed the hand turning tool rest on the cross slide of the lathe, and begun establishing the outer curve of the bowl with small hand turning tools.  I repeatedly STOP the lathe and hold the original ivory bowl … Continue reading →

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Making a Kagamibuta Netsuke Bowl Part 2

Posted on May 18, 2013 by metal_musings

Above, I’ve drilled the proper sized hole through the antler cylinder.  The cord that connects to the lid will eventually pass through here.  Incidentally, using a metal-cutting lathe for these parts of the bowl-turning process really helps with accuracy and … Continue reading →

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Making a Kagamibuta Netsuke Bowl Part 1

Posted on May 17, 2013 by metal_musings

I was approached by a client to turn a replacement bowl for a lovely kagamibuta netsuke that had a cracked original ivory bowl.  In my life with netsuke, I’ve found that cracked ivory, especially kagamibuta netsuke bowls, is very common. … Continue reading →

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Blacksmith Caterpillar Knife – Part 4

Posted on April 19, 2013 by metal_musings

Since the last post I hardened and tempered the little knife, and spent some time getting the scale and crud from the heat treating process off of it. Now it’s time to add some gold highlights.  Above, I’ve engraved a … Continue reading →

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Blacksmith Caterpillar Knife – Part 3

Posted on April 19, 2013 by metal_musings

Now that I’ve removed the knife from it’s holding medium, I notice the caterpillar has a bad case of the “squares.”  I need to round it’s top edges over a little more. There, that’s better.  Now for the other side. … Continue reading →

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Blacksmith Caterpillar Knife – Part 2

Posted on April 13, 2013 by metal_musings

Above is the caterpillar after initial carving with small carbide burrs.   And here, I’ve used small punches to smooth over all the hills and valleys of the caterpillar’s side.  I’ve also done a preliminary darkening of the steel just … Continue reading →

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Blacksmith Caterpillar Knife

Posted on April 11, 2013 by metal_musings

Here’s another strange idea I came up with.  This little knife is based upon a class of knives called “Blacksmith Knives” or sometimes “Viking Woman’s Knives.”  These come down to us through antiquity, and were generally just simple (and inexpensive) … Continue reading →

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Yet More Fun with Titanium

Posted on March 26, 2013 by metal_musings

Below is a 1/8 inch thick grade 2 titanium pendant, Celtic Raven Stealing the Moon, a little less than 2 inches tall. And, above, a pair of hairsticks with a fusion of Viking and Celtic-style engravings.  On the left is … Continue reading →

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Steel and Gold Dragonfly Ensemble

Posted on November 26, 2012 by metal_musings

Well, the earrings were popular enough with the ladies that I decided to add a pendant and complete the ensemble. Everything together.  The pendant is 2 inches tall, and is constructed of 1075 blackened carbon steel, 24k gold, and Sterling … Continue reading →

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