Monthly Archives: May 2013

Knapped Steel Petroglyph Knife

Posted on May 28, 2013 by metal_musings

Another of my signature “Knapped Steel” knives.  I had so much fun playing with the antler and potassium permanganate from you kagamibuta adventure, I decided to make a knife handle. Above is the knife I “carved” prior to heat treatment. … Continue reading →

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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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