Dave Budd TECHY BITTY

Dave Budd

Gold Trader
Staff member
Jan 8, 2006
2,911
337
45
Dartmoor (Devon)
www.davebudd.com
not quite so useful in bushcraft, perhaps, but another diversion from the things I should be doing...

here is the second installment of my madness :D

On the run up to the Game Fair I was trying to get a few knives together to sell, or at least have some commissioned pieces there to show off. Unfortuantely I was having power and abrasives issues and I had to come up with things that didn't require forging or a lot of grinding. So I cheated and made some scandi ground blades out of O1, instead of making proper knives :nana: :pokenest:

I had some bit(ties) of 1.5mm O1 left from another project,so I thought to use them up. I also figured that to save on grinding and the abrasive belts that hadn't arrived yet, I needed materials that were already flat. i.e. modern materials, not my normal thing!

You have already seen the floracarta Bitty Knife (2.5mm O1), here are the rest.

First up a little number in Dymondwood (I've had a few bits in a drawer for the last 10 years!). Blade Length…….1 7/8” Overall Length…...4 3/8”
RainbowBittyweb.jpg


next a small thing in blue carbon fibre (picked up at the Exeter knife show and so far only used on a rehandled sak)Blade Length…….2” Overall Length…...4 1/4”
BlueBittyweb.jpg


And finally, the most techical madness of the lot. Thermo-Chromic laminates! This stuff is black at room temperature, but changes colour in a warm hand, its the same stuff you get those thermometer strips made from.Blade Length…….2 1/4” Overall Length…...5 1/2”
techybittyweb.jpg


I've got some other smart materials to play with, but I really should get on with some customer orders now :rolleyes:
 

edispilff

Forager
Mar 6, 2007
167
0
51
between the trees
Mr. Budd.. you certainly have gotten back on the bandwagon with a great new style... How do you like working with the liquid crystal stuff?... i'm working with chromazone at the moment and it's got a lot of possibilities.

Very nice work you've got there:cool:
 

Dave Budd

Gold Trader
Staff member
Jan 8, 2006
2,911
337
45
Dartmoor (Devon)
www.davebudd.com
don't worry, it's only a fleeting diversion from proper knives ;) I was only using up the oddments of some forced stock removal projects. Mind you, I've sought out the smart materials deliberately as I like to mix my practical aged look with the moern techy stuff. Just for twits and giggles :D

The liquid crystal sheet I got is ok to use, but I wish I could get hold of the pigment instead as it would be a load easier to use! It's also far from cheap sadly :(

I've got a few ideas that will be worked on between commissions over the winter, including: more thermo chromic stuff (goes clear on heating), chameleon nanoflakes, UV sensitive and a variety of daft micarta things ;)
 

spamel

Banned
Feb 15, 2005
6,833
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Silkstone, Blighty!
Changes colour in the heat! Cool! If you get a clear one, and then overlay that on a nice damask full tang, the effect could be quite staggering.

Look forward to seeing more of your work Dave.
 

Jared

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 8, 2005
3,575
746
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Wales
Aha!
Been wondering when/if someone would use thermo chromatic material for a handle, ever since I saw it available in small quantities on http://www.mutr.co.uk

The other stuff which maybe fun, is the chameleon flakes, that changes colour based on the angle of viewing.
 

Jared

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 8, 2005
3,575
746
51
Wales
guess what I've got in the cupboard ;) just working out the best way to use them :rolleyes:

Cool :D

Always thought SAK slabs made out of them would be awesome.

Wondering if can put a design in the thermochromo thats hidden when its cold.

Also handle made out of high visibility material.
 

Jared

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 8, 2005
3,575
746
51
Wales
are you thinking naked lady gradually revealing herself :ban:

Well...

Was thinking something simpler, like a name, or logo or even something like a tribal flame design in the thermochromatic material.
 

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