Making Cu Mai - The copper streak dagger.

[@Aleeknives]

For exclusive content and one on one coaching opportunities click here www.patreon.com/Aleeknives

[@forginghard]

Thank you for the wonderful video.

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you for the great comments!

[@gurvinderkau1e5w18]

Copper streak came out so cool. Three colour contrast look killer. 👍👍🔥🔥🔥

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Gurvinder! Cheers to you!

[@bradymcphail9690]

Man sir, not only is that a beautiful piece, but you are a fantastic teacher! I said the same to Denis too. The willingness that you guys have and the forthrightness to give your experience and education is amazing! I’m very new to knife making and if it wasn’t for people like you people like me would have a harder time learning the craft. I’ve been a welder/fabricator for 45 years and I have the belief that teaching it forward strengthens the craft! I have a plan to purchase some land and begin a youth ministry to do just that... Strengthen the Crafts. By teaching many crafts, not just me but many great craftsmen & women!

[@Aleeknives]

This is my way ti give back to the people that have led me to the place I stand now! I love teaching the knowledge that I am still obtaining daily! I am no master by far but I don't think you have to be a master to teach a skill or trade but at some point many of my viewers will surpass my knowledge and begin to give back to me! Thank you sir! Cheers to you

[@Take_And_Make]

That's a fancy looking dagger, Airin! Good job! For the handle, I'd put a copper guard, a piece of elk antler, and ebony wood.

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks Eugene! I was thinking right on those lines! I have a piece of giraffe bone in my hand right now but still haven't made up my mind!

[@Take_And_Make]

What ever you come with will surely be worth watching amigo! Giver!

[@Aleeknives]

Health to your hands bro!

[@bearfootknivesgunforge9183]

I think Dagger came out great. Definitely something I'm going to try now, thanks to you. Enjoyed it.

[@Aleeknives]

Super glad Don! Please feel free to send me pictures of some of your work! [e-mail] is my email

[@bearfootknivesgunforge9183]

@@Aleeknives Will do, thank you.

[@Aleeknives]

Sweet

[@StefanoCosta-yb6ii]

Very interesting and really beautiful!!!!! Well done

[@ridgerunner66]

That is a wicked cool knife. Can't wait to see it finished.

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Davin!

[@noneyabidness9644]

Really cool dagger.

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you

[@stephenjohnson6841]

Awesome work! I love the way it turned out! Thanks fur sharing!

[@choppersFL]

Fantastic build thank you!

[@Aleeknives]

You are certainly welcome! Cheers

[@creatorqi]

This knife is beautiful, and you made it very professional. Well done.

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you! I am excited to see you here! I appreciate all your hard work on your channel! You make awesome stuff!

[@Galerak1]

Instant Guinness in a can. Awesome discovery. Where can I get some 😂😂

[@larrylee5778]

Once again a real beauty. I love the designs you come up with. Your vids are always cool. Keepum coming.

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks dad! Your the bomb!

[@joeg5230]

Amazing work! Can't wait to see you put the handle on it!

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks Joe! Will definitely be exciting!

[@theriversexperience9383]

This turned out absolutely Badass! I will be starting my Cu Mai Build tomorrow when my 15n20 arrives. I should be releasing the first part of that series next Sunday.

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks man! As you can see my method did not produce lots of activity between the layers! Much deeper cuts would need to be made in the layers. I am not done with this experiment! Hey, how do you spell your name bro? Eric, Erik?

[@theriversexperience9383]

@@Aleeknives actually with a c and a k it's spelled Erick.

[@Aleeknives]

Sweet Erick! I had a feeling I was going to be wrong!

[@theriversexperience9383]

@@Aleeknives I would have spelled your name wrong too if I hadn't seen it so it's all good.

[@andyc750]

seriously impressive

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Andy!

[@sidstone8845]

Amazing work

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Sid!

[@chrisgilbert3305]

Absolutely amazing work

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks man! That means a lot!

[@felipemiranda9639]

Thats was awesome Man

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Felipe!

[@nateand3]

Omg man it's gorgeous already. I can't wait to see it finished

[@Aleeknives]

Me too!!

[@Drew_lininger]

Dude! That is freaking gorgeous!

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks Drew! Now for the handle!

[@TyrellKnifeworks]

I like it!! Yeah I wasn’t sure you were gonna get much movement on the copper. Even if it was deeper, I think you need to do sone forging on it. Great blade though!

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks Denis! I am not done with this experiment 😁

[@Glenfilthie1]

I’ve been waiting for this one! A spectacular piece, Aaron!!!👍

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks John! I can't wait to get a handle on it!

[@txdrifter3177]

I think it would look great it you did a cu mai but used flattened cable for the outer layers.

[@Aleeknives]

Wow, now that is a neat idea!

[@MARCELO-rm4ws]

Te escribo desde Argentina, excelente trabajo, felicitaciones!!!!! y gracias por enseñar tus tecnicas de trabajo.

[@Aleeknives]

You are welcome!

[@MikeSwill]

That looks amazing

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Mike! I got the handle glued up tonight and it should be finished for my Wednesday video! Hope to see you there!

[@tobesmith7632]

Good 2 parter. I have not tried the cu Mai. But have used similar process in San Mai . Instead of bench vice used hydraulic press with some homemade flat dies. Work pretty good. press just a harbor freight 20 ton probably about 80 bucks a little modification

[@Aleeknives]

So cool! I have that press! I should look into using it!

[@daltiejul]

Dude that came out sick! Imagine if you would've used a crazy patterned center?

[@Aleeknives]

Exactly! I am working on a pretty wild build right now!

[@Bonsaiandknives]

The colors of the different layers look very nice. The dagger is certainly only for the showcase. If you heat copper and quench it becomes soft and can be used as a seal. As a knife probably not suitable, therefore only showcase!

[@Aleeknives]

Cuts really well and the cooper seems to hold up fine! There have been a ton of makers doing this for a while now. I do agree with you that this is more for show!

[@franotoole2702]

Very nice Aerin. Turned out realy well. Id say it would be even sweeter with a full flat grind blade, maybe doing cuts in the steel like flames or jagged edges so that the molten copper flows into it, would realy pop on a full flat grind chefs knife.

[@Aleeknives]

Yes agreed! This experiment is not over😉

[@greenchiliforge1059]

It's good beer 🍻

[@Aleeknives]

There is a sandwich in every beer! Who needs food when your drinking Guinness

[@alexmcgilvery3878]

Question, doesn't quenching copper soften it. How would that affect the dagger?

[@Aleeknives]

The steel is the cutting edge. In a san mai blade it is common to use non hardening steel for the outer layers. It helps with flex. As for the copper I don't know I have never made one before! I am walking in the footsteps of giants

[@jokerjoker007]

You could’ve drawn out the billet a lot more, but a great forge none the less, love the contrast.

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you!

[@pr0faker]

Would this also work with brass, would look also nice. handle I would suggest darkish redbrown wood, black spacers, with maybe bronze guard and pommel if you want to add one.

[@Aleeknives]

Yes it would. But it would be even trickier! Brass has an even lower melting point so the heat treat could be difficult

[@sudo_nym]

I am blown away by how cool that is turning out, mate. I was holding my breath during the quench, but I needn’t have. 👍🏻 Those lines are super clean, and I think I prefer it the way it is without the wavy copper lines. There’s a gorgeous symmetry about it which I think suits it. Can’t wait to see the handle going on, buddy. And congratulations on another 50 subscriptions since last night! I took a look late and you had 3860. Now you’ve busted through the 4K in just 24 hours! The fastest growing knife-making channel on KZbin, and for good reasons. 😉😉😉 Keep it coming, brother! 🇬🇧🙏🏻🇺🇸 (my CrazyFiber arrived, btw!. Looks cool 😎)

[@Aleeknives]

That makes two of us holding our breath! I am glad it worked out. It had me scared for a minute during the hand sanding! How does that crazy fiber look? Thanks for the vote of confidence in my channel Pete! Cheers

[@sudo_nym]

@@Aleeknives I’ll email you a picture of the CrazyFibre, Airin. I think it looks great. I know what you mean about being too much for a large handle, but maybe on a shorter EDC type, like the design I sent you, I think it won’t be too much. And mate, your channel is a product of the effort you put it. It’s a reflection of you. Cheers buddy 👍🏻👍🏻🙏🏻

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks again Pete!

[@HeavyForge]

Freakin sic man!!! Love that dagger and that Bridgeport! Thats why I like 1084 you can look at it wrong and it’ll harden. 🔥⚒💪🏻

[@Aleeknives]

So true brother! 1084 is definitely one of my favorites! I have played with others but simple 10xx series steel has a special place in my heart!

[@BonifabcustomRobBonifacio]

Awesome i have to definitely try that brother , thanks for the insight

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Rob! I have further ideas in this realm! Can't wait to finish this one

[@tinsoldier5621]

Nice project. What is your opinion of using brass instead of copper? Also what about putting it in angle iron in the video instead of bare jaws?

[@Aleeknives]

Brass has an even lower melting point so it becomes very difficult to heat treat the steel without the brass turning to liquid. It can be done, just more difficult. The second question I believe refers to us I ng soft jaws in the vise? If that is the case brass or aluminum would be better materials than angle iron. Angle iron would not be considered soft jaws. Yes I have a set of softies but rarely feel the need to use them. Most of the time I am working materials that still need to be shaped further down to finish size so it doesn't matter if I mare the surface slightly

[@mcrich1978]

I think with that dagger the cleaner copper lines would have been great. Above all though it seems like it was a great learning experience. thanks =)

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you! It will be fun to finish!

[@Aleeknives]

My wife actually asked me if I could have made the lines cleaner, and to think I was working to the opposite effect!

[@mcrich1978]

@@Aleeknives right! lol =) We are all learnin here brother. I really enjoy your work.

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you!

[@GuiltyMalice]

How does it stay together? I would have thought it would delaminate. That is amazing. I literally have never seen anything like it and I love it. It’s a gorgeous blade. Nice work man, thanks for sharing.

[@Aleeknives]

I have made several more since this video with various patterns!

[@bertiebassett7011]

Looks great, nice to see the copper fused fully to the steel. I think grinding a wider more defined wave pattern into the steel will give you the desired effect. Might be overboard with the copper but a copper/cupro,nickle mokune gane would look good for a guard and a pommel, iv just done one with a mahogany handle and its come out nicely. the copper also gives a fair bit of weight into the handle which would balance up with the thick blade.

[@Aleeknives]

You have a really good point that everyone should take note of! When choosing a handle material it is important to take the weight of the blade into consideration!

[@bertiebassett7011]

@@Aleeknives Indeed, its very easy to add too much weight and get the balance all wrong. im sure you have picked your handle but iv just uploaded a couple of slides showing makune gane fittings against mahogany and oak.

[@Aleeknives]

Nice!

[@silvergoldking]

I always do my gard and shape my handles before I finish the blade. Then all you have is a little touch up at the end. Watching KZbin i did do the handles last. But I always had to re-sand the knife again. It just didn't make sense.

[@Aleeknives]

I have done it both ways and have had success doing both. I haven't really thought about what my preference was though.

[@silvergoldking]

Great job ether way.

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you!

[@nevermore1045]

What is your favorite source for your 15n20?

[@Aleeknives]

I use New Jersey Steel Baron

[@lancemillward1912]

very cool

[@adelacour]

Looks realy cool Aron, next time you use the coffee solution can you explain a little about it pls. I would love tyo know a bit more. But as always your tutorials are very informative and I always learn something. Thanks. Andy

[@Aleeknives]

Excellent idea andy! I will make a tutorial about the coffee etch soon!

[@vladimirkovacevic1656]

cool knife

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Vladimir!

[@icerazar713]

I haven't seen a Cumai blade before but that copper gives it some pop. Nice work. 👍

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks Robert!

[@Aleeknives]

What kind of handle material should I use?

[@Aleeknives]

I like it! Thank you

[@jumpnjack8686]

Ambrosia burl with Cu guard.

[@nateand3]

I agree, one of the black woods with a copper guard. A stainless guard might be cool too tho. I'd have to put the materials with the blade to see which looked better

[@sudo_nym]

Something contrasting but complimentary, like a pale wood, or an ivory substitute. That’d look cool 😎 🗡❤️🤜🏻⚡️🤛🏻

[@Aleeknives]

Neat idea Pete!

[@trevorjenkinson1333]

Saw your link off Instagram, awesome video man! Thanks for posting! I really like your editing

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you! That means a LOT ! I am working to create better and better videos each edit! Cheers

[@chaosreigns7386]

is cu-mai strictly an aesthetic process? or is there a practical/functionality to it as well? beautiful blade btw!

[@Aleeknives]

100% for show

[@JesseSchoch]

nice knife!

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Jesse! I just finished the handle tonight! Video drops Wednesday morning! Hope to see you there

[@jojoemcgeejoe457]

I'm not a knifemaker nor a blacksmith, but imo, that copper band, rather than the usual wanding wavy pattern along the middle layers is hella cool itself. Might it be that the desire for the wavy pattern might be just "that's the way we're used to seeing it"? but now you can do it differently?

[@Aleeknives]

It's actually easier to do it like this! I will admit it is different from the norm!

[@mcrich1978]

Would be cool to taper into the fuller groove from the flats and expose that copper there too.. or maybe even grind that fuller some and take the "crispy" out of it.

[@Aleeknives]

Ya that would have been cool!

[@mcrich1978]

@@Aleeknives looking forward to the next step. 👍

[@Aleeknives]

Me too! Thanks again!

[@JohnJohnson-bg2oo]

You can always put a metal rod, or wooden dowel through the slot, and rest it on your vice when driving the guard and handle on. Then polish the area afterwards also. Wouldn't have to put so much clamping force on the blade then.

[@jumpnjack8686]

👍👍👌 Beautiful, but how functional? It seems to me, that the malleability of the Cu layer is a detriment to the overall durability and ruggedness of this blade in real life applications based on what was revealed by the tang during clamping. I wonder if an extremely thin layer of copper, rather than deepening the grinds of steel might be better since there would be less chance of deep compression as illustrated with the thicker copper layer. Just thinking out loud. Always enjoy your videos and educational experience. Blessings. Jack

[@Aleeknives]

100% agreed! I was surprised how soft the copper layer was!! By forging copper into a knife you are wandering into the territory of art knives..

[@joshyingling]

Awesome stuff man, just subscribed. I would say for a more dramatic effect, use the thickness of a hard rock grinding wheel when making your copper flutes. And deeper. Still awesome though. You have inspired me to try this method at home.

[@Aleeknives]

Great idea man! This idea is not over for me!

[@CoryHefner]

Great work, I am glad I came across your channel. Question though, I noticed you don't use a rotary tool. Is that by choice or is there another reason?

[@Aleeknives]

I do have one in the shop and I believe it has a place in my projects when needed. However, most of the time the rotary tool actually creates more work for me to clean up on my knives. I find my belt sanders do a much cleaner job that is more consistent to get good square edges on my profiles

[@volkangunyeli]

He became a handsome dagger. It deserved a nice hilt. Health to your hands Airin .. 👍🙂🙌👏

[@Aleeknives]

I agree! Could you name it for me? Thanks man!

[@volkangunyeli]

"Barbarossa's breath". How's the name?😉

[@Aleeknives]

Awesomeness 👌

[@volkangunyeli]

@@Aleeknives 🙂👍

[@DragonclawMakerStudio]

Have you heard of Three Kingdoms? I would love to see what you could do with Guan Yu's halberd.

[@Aleeknives]

Looking into that now! Thank you!

[@ed.sol.crafts]

Fantastic job man! How high a grit did you sand everything to before the coffee?

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you!! I took it up to 500 grit wet. The would probably look even better with a higher grit finish!

[@Charlestonkayakandfishing]

I like it

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks William!

[@waltersmith4743]

will that be for sale i like to get on the list walter

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks Walter! This one sold after the first video was published before I had even cut the dagger out!

[@waltersmith4743]

@@Aleeknives i see why walter

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Walter

[@tobesmith7632]

How fast was your heart racing during the quench

[@Aleeknives]

Oh my, so true! But when it came out I was pretty well blown away!

[@stevehisey389]

Nice creativity. I'll bat those bevels took a while to grind !

[@Aleeknives]

Yes they did! Thanks for watching!

[@406751]

WOW!!!!!

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you!

[@ronamedee2475]

would have made a beautiful guard. Still nice though

[@Aleeknives]

I will start the guard today and make the handle for the next video!

[@HansKnives]

First

[@swann1603]

Thats a really cool cumai , i wasnt expecting that finish with the coffee its very very cool !!

[@HansKnives]

@@swann1603 What is admirable is that he made this knife from scratch.

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you gentlemen! The coffee really changes things!

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks Hans!😁

[@---vx5lj]

Медь и железо? Физику учить пробовали? Раздел электролиз.

[@Aleeknives]

thank you

[@gouravsharma7629]

nice work but u talk so much......

[@_stupidfatbear_]

first of all, dope video, and I wanna ask you a completely random thing, are you Italian?

[@Aleeknives]

🤣 nope pure American! Thank you for the compliments!

[@_stupidfatbear_]

@@Aleeknives oh ok, just asking because the video title comes out to me in Italian, maybe KZbin is broken 😂

[@Aleeknives]

I take the time to translate the meta data into 12 different languages. I find my translator tool sometimes makes mistakes😁

[@_stupidfatbear_]

@@Aleeknives oh so that's why, no problem tho, got a new sub 😂

[@Aleeknives]

Awesome! Glad to have you!