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Cable From Decommissioned Aircraft Carrier
A while back I was commissioned to forge some knives from cable recovered from a decommissioned aircraft carrier that was being scrapped. The cable was 1/2" in diameter and once forged into a square bar it was folded back on itself. The first test knife didn't go so well, cable suffers from decarbonization at weld up anyway and that is magnified from small wires. The cable itself seemed lower in carbon than standard extra IPS and the first test knife wouldn't harden enough for a knife.
It was decided to forge a Go Mai billet (5 layers) to make a knife that would be usable but still carry that steel cable. With the cable I was sent 7 more blade were forged and handles of various styles were applied.
The gentleman who commissioned these is giving them to friends who served on the ship with him.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lars on
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Oh wow - well done! What a great legacy, and what beautiful pieces. Thank you for sharing -
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KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by James McClendon on -
Thank you!
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Permalink Reply by Kevin D on
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Good looking knives!
What material did you use between the cable and the file?
Good looking anvil too. :)
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KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by James McClendon on -
It was 15n20. I could have done a coffee etch and made the 15n20 really pop but that would have muted the pattern in the cable.
Kevin D said:Good looking knives!
What material did you use between the cable and the file?
Good looking anvil too. :)
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KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by James McClendon on -
That anvil is a 200lb Fisher made in 1941. It was military surplus. My main, and favorite anvil.
Kevin D said:Good looking knives!
What material did you use between the cable and the file?
Good looking anvil too. :)
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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on
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This is fantastic!
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