"Bill the Butcher" --- A Pudao's Evolution
Apr 23, 2023 22:44:30 GMT
Post by Voltan on Apr 23, 2023 22:44:30 GMT
Greetings all, been a few years since I've posted. As this is the first project I've finished in said years, I thought I'd share with you fine folks.
I bought this Pudao from KOA back in 2017 for the measly sum of $49.95 plus freight. I figured if it turned out to be of poor quality, I would have a project blade out of the deal.
My hunch was realized when an errant cut I made during the first cutting session hit the cutting stand, resulting in a cracked handle just below the guard.
Upon finding the crack, I torn the weapon down and found a long, thin, welded-on tang extension.
I cut off the extension, and was left with the blade below.
I then cut off the remainder of the tang, as it was poorly shaped, and shaped a new handle. I made a grip out of 1/4" Bocote, but as you can see, the grip was far too small and thin for such a blade-heavy piece. I felt this was not a good design, as the piece almost felt like it would fly out of my hand if not careful.
I tore it back down to a bare blade, made a tracing, and drew up a new design.
I lengthened the tang to a two-handed grip, which shortened the blade and dramatically improved the POB. In addition to five brass pins, I drilled four bleed holes in the tang between the pin holes, with coresponding holes 3/16" into the scales. When the scales are clamped down during epoxy time, excess epoxy will fill the bleed holes and form "epoxy rivets." Sadly, I did not take photos of this part. I used 1/2" bubinga for the new handle scales.
Here's some pics of the finishing work on the new handle.
It always pleases me when the piece comes out better than the drawing, and I feel this was the result with this project. This piece will remain in my collection, and I hope to do some cutting with it in the near future. A possible upcoming knee surgery will delay that, but hopefully not for too long. Therefore, may I present,
"Bill the Butcher"
Fans of a certain Martin Scorsese film should get it...I could picture William Cutting using a piece like this!
Thanks for looking, and good to be back...been too long.
I bought this Pudao from KOA back in 2017 for the measly sum of $49.95 plus freight. I figured if it turned out to be of poor quality, I would have a project blade out of the deal.
My hunch was realized when an errant cut I made during the first cutting session hit the cutting stand, resulting in a cracked handle just below the guard.
Upon finding the crack, I torn the weapon down and found a long, thin, welded-on tang extension.
I cut off the extension, and was left with the blade below.
I then cut off the remainder of the tang, as it was poorly shaped, and shaped a new handle. I made a grip out of 1/4" Bocote, but as you can see, the grip was far too small and thin for such a blade-heavy piece. I felt this was not a good design, as the piece almost felt like it would fly out of my hand if not careful.
I tore it back down to a bare blade, made a tracing, and drew up a new design.
I lengthened the tang to a two-handed grip, which shortened the blade and dramatically improved the POB. In addition to five brass pins, I drilled four bleed holes in the tang between the pin holes, with coresponding holes 3/16" into the scales. When the scales are clamped down during epoxy time, excess epoxy will fill the bleed holes and form "epoxy rivets." Sadly, I did not take photos of this part. I used 1/2" bubinga for the new handle scales.
Here's some pics of the finishing work on the new handle.
It always pleases me when the piece comes out better than the drawing, and I feel this was the result with this project. This piece will remain in my collection, and I hope to do some cutting with it in the near future. A possible upcoming knee surgery will delay that, but hopefully not for too long. Therefore, may I present,
"Bill the Butcher"
Fans of a certain Martin Scorsese film should get it...I could picture William Cutting using a piece like this!
Thanks for looking, and good to be back...been too long.