Painterdudes Art Club

[ozzydiodude]

I like your knives there Col. kif just couldn't see the knife as well in the first pic. Do you have a homemade forge?

 

[Col. Kif]

Although I have made several "Home Made" venturi forge burners from black iron pipe and tweeco tips... and many shells from Reclaimed propane bottles. The one I use is a professional model from NC tool... I've had it for about 15 years.

I wish I could show folks more but my makers mark is known in several circles and I don't want to be identified here.

 

[tcbud]

Beautiful Col Kif. I think the knives would be considered Art. My ex used to buy the blades or make them hiimself from Planer Saw Blades, then put the handles on the knifes, he did some sweet work using Deer Antler handles. Yours tho, are in a whole different catagory. Beautiful, just beautiful. Damaskas steel has intrigued me since I first saw a knife that had all those whorles and patterns.

Painter, I hate those plastic glasses too.....for some reason. Dont know why, maybe because they are at the social gatherings that I hate to go to the most. Tho, as I said, let me know when the show is...... and I will hold one and cheer your work.

 

[mojavemama]

Beautiful, Col Kif! I can't even begin to imagine how much time and love you put into making them. Absolutely spectacular!

 

[legalize_freedom]

Love the knives COL! I have experimented with hand forging, being a metal worker by trade...but I am definately no artist! Very nice work!

 

[painterdude]

So.....I read the Manifesto.....this guy got screwed by a CPA who forgot to include the wife's UNREPORTED income of $12,000 plus, but never found out how much he owed the IRS in taxes and fines....

Been there myself, just paid them off, and got on with my life, no big deal, never gave suicide a thought....

So RIP dude, you burned your house down almost killing your family and whoever owned the plane is probably really peed off

Oh, and the two people in the hospital with burns aren't too happy either

Personally, you should of gotten really stoned instead of writing it all down for us to read

 

[painterdude]

Col, I'm so sorry not to mention that your knives are definitely sculptures of the finest kind....we are all proud of your work....show us more

 

[Gone2pot!]

PDude, thanks! I agree with MM, you certainly have a large collection of pieces and you could do an amazing show. I just want to toss another idea out there. The Laguna art festival might be a great place to exhibit. I think it is every June. I could be wrong about the number, but I believe you need 4 pieces that are cohesive. My Uncle used to do it every year. I loved all of the art he did for the festival. Even if you just go for a good time it would be fun. Do you keep all of your work???!!! Wow. Please tell me they're not packed away in closets.

 

[mojavemama]

P'Dude, I hope you won't kick me out for posting this picture. It's not exactly artwork, but it sure got my attention since this dress is made out of...TOILET PAPER! And you KNOW how much I love to do Toilet Paper Origami! So forgive me, I just couldn't resist sharing....

 

[Gone2pot!]

MM, toilet paper?! :rofl:
really beautiful wedding dress, I just hope it was a warm sunny, dry day :giggle:
COL. K, amazing skill. I don't know how you forge knives, heat and hammer? Really beautiful work.

 

[Col. Kif]

This one was in NZ last I heard. Was made for a interesting Gentleman from So Cal. He was paralyzed in a climbing accident... so he became a world-class chef. He had Scottish ancestry and wanted a Victorian style Dirk for when he went to the Highland games.

It's a 1095 carbon steel blade with a 3/4 spine & traditional file work. The fittings are hand sculpted brass. The handle is Clarinet grade blackwood with simulated ivory spacers (They are specially processed, dyed and distressed cow bone, impregnated under vacuum with resin so it has smooth gloss like real ivory)



This is a small whittling knife made from cable damascus, filed bronze bolster and vanilla stained Spanish briar burl.

I've done more than my share of planer knife blades & re-worked files too... I'm not a world class smith like those I learned from but there's something... elemental ... about working with hot steel and shaping it under the hammer.

 

[Gone2pot!]

Stunning pieces. Your world class smithy instructors are sure to be extremely proud of you and your talent. I love the handle on the Dirk. It looks like it would fit perfectly into the palm and grip as if it were a part of it's owner. I love it!

 

[painterdude]

mojavemama....KICK YOU OUT? Will never happen babe....do you do porno Toile Gami? That wedding dress is very hard to believe in it's reality....but it did give me momentarily bad cartoon ideas....can't say anymore, my EDITOR BUTTON just went off and I erased my next comment..

Thanks for the e-mail on Michigan Ice Skating....when I grew up in Wisconsin we skated on the Rock River...I had terrible, weak ankles...and it was always cold and my feet were cold and my ears were frozen and I had rubber coated mittens which froze your fingers real quick....god I love Oregon's coastal weather

 

[painterdude]

Gone2pot.....been there (Laguna Art's Festival) back in the early 1970's....was there with another potter and we didn't sell squat but met a bunch of stoners and longhairs and I think we had fun, but not sure about that...and I think you had to go thru JURY selection to get a booth.....we also did a festival in Monterey and one in Los Angeles.....and some others that I don't remember

I remember meeting a woman who was from England and she hand-painted eggs...

And, having lived in Southern California (Orange County) during the entire period from 1970 thru 1976 I promised myself that I would never return

I like to go to San Francisco, love the people, love the food and love their politics.....The First Amendment is alive and well down there....

 

[painterdude]

Col......you are a master of this craft, just accept that fact....and show us more..you keep blowing my mind with your sculptures.....am so glad you are a proud member of this crew of artists, too bad we can't get together and have a party somewhere because I would love to meet you in person....thanks again

 

[Col. Kif]

You folks are the ones that blow me away.... I've tried for years to get the stuff in my head down on paper... so far a 7 yr old could outdo my attempts at drawing and painting.

I'm really digging the paper dress... I've heard of duct tape and such but that is so beautiful and delicate.

I'm having to dig deep for stuff to share that doesn't identify me....



This is a San Mai (Nickel strand cable damascus with a 1095 center) belt knife. The fittings are simple white brass and the handle is select grade cocobolo.
It's owner is in a hot and sandy place for the 4th time in her carreer.



This is just a simple utility knife 1084 high carbon blade, edge quenched. Fileworked spine and ricasso, small mosaic pin and cocobolo handle.
This one went out as part of a trade between knifemakers.... whereabouts are unknown.

 

[painterdude]

So Colonel, where do you get all these wood pieces for your handles? They are so exotic and beautiful. I've heard that there is a Samurai sword maker south of town that teaches apprentices in the art of sword making but have never met him.

 

[Col. Kif]

The wood you ask? Well there is a specialty exotic wood supplier here in California that actually supplies many of the other dealers of exotic wood around the US. They own several tree farms in South America and deal in import/export from other countries. They practice responsible harvesting and replant more than what is taken.

I always get "lost" in thier wharehouse shop... all kinds of exotic hardwoods, from all over the world, in all shapes and sizes.... from slabs large enough for a 20 person executive meeting table to blanks meant to be turned into custom pens...

The colors & textures are almost endless and each one is unique. From the translucent sheen of French flame pear, to mineral stained buckeye burl. Each is hand sawn & shaped to best show off its qualities.

Some woods are actually so rare and precious they are almost as expensive as gold, ounce for ounce. Pardon the poor picture but here is an example...



The handle is a wood called Pink Ivory. the block I used to make this handle cost over $100. The blade is pattern damacuscus, the bolster is legal Elephant Ivory, harvested from a 1950's vintage trade carving, the spacer is sterling silver.

Funny you should mention Japanese blades. I wish I could show some of mine here. I've even gone so far as to smelt my own Tamahagane. I also work with Mokumegane, which I make myself.

 

[painterdude]

WOW WOW WOW...again I am lost for words to describe how impressed I am with your sculptures and your exclusive knowledge of your art.....next question is or are 'How did all this come about? When did you start on this great adventure of creativity? Do you have any heroes? How expensive are the knives? Do you sell to the public or just special friends?'

Oops, one more question for ya, 'How long have you been doing this amazing sculpture work?'

THANK YOU FOR FINDING THE 'ART CLUB'
I am loving this experience every time I check the site

 

[painterdude]

OK, went back and counted members......35 of us have posted either art or comments.....here are some drawings for today....