Steampunk Viperfish

[tsterling]

This “Steampunk Viperfish†was definitely the most complex engraving I've ever done, and while it was only 1 5/8 inches in diameter, that turns out to be quite a lot of real estate - over two square inches to engrave. Add in the large number of inlays (seven inches of gold wire), and it all adds up to about 30 hours of engraving (although I did have to find some time to make two beading punches for the little round rivets - and it turns out titanium isn't very cooperative with beading punches, so I need to “refresh†these).

This was a special version of Serge Panchenko’s Coin Claw pendant knife, and Serge went all out by making a lovely stainless steel damascus blade, Timascus spacer, Al6V4 titanium frame and spring, and a special Grade 2 titanium backplate created especially for engraving. I added copper and 24 karat gold, and, of course, some engraving…

Serge is an up and coming young knifemaker, and it was a real privilege just to handle his neat little knife. The knife is really more like a small, exquisite jewel. Everything fits beautifully, and Serge’s finishes are topnotch. See more of Serge’s work at http://sergeknives.com, https://www.facebook.com/serge.panchenkoknives, and http://instagram.com/sergeknives

Note the little surprise ugly fish (hidden under the blade when it is closed). The Al6V4 titanium is "stonewashed" for a nice even grey finish, and I used tiny little abrasive stones inside the fish to remove that grey finish. It turned out pretty sweet, I think. While I’ve shied away from Al6V4 titanium in the past, it turned out that small cut lines with a Lindsay Carbalt engraver worked out pretty well. I still wouldn’t like to do deep cuts and sculpting in Al6V4 titanium!

Thanks for looking!

 

[don hicks]

A very unusual piece beautifully done.
Cheers
Don

 

[Adder]

Wow, I like it. Though I`m happy that I never got one of those on my fishing tackle.....
Thanks for sharing.

Jørn-Ove

 

[Southern Custom]

Nice job Tom. I love the chain link tail and the lightbulb antenna or whatever you call that wormy little lure these fish have. Fun piece .
Layne

 

[Roger Bleile]

Very imaginative!

 

[LVVP]

Very creative, thanks

 

[monk]

an absolute gem you did there. i didn't recognize it as a knife till i read the text. marvelous work!

 

[tsterling]

Thaks for the superlatives, guys! Glad you've enjoyed Serge's and my efforts - I know we both enjoyed making and showing them to you! I'm looking forward to more colaborations in the future!

Tom

 

[silverchip]

The only thing that would make that any more kool would be if it were an automatic!!!!