Ray Hyder - Artist

Owl after the Hunt- Soul authorship knife , 6-4 Titanium, ATS-34 ,316

Over the course of the past few years since I started this blog , I have come to understand more than ever before the life of an artist. Every day in search of the thrill found in creating the one masterpiece . Other artists know right away what I am talking about . The almost intangible product of the mind that keeps an artist going through the thick and the thin .For my self these years have been a most rewarded effort amidst all sorts of frustrations . Leaving me with many achievements in tooling and processes , as well as plethora of new skills under my belt.
Altogether setting the stage for artwork I was unable pull off until this point , Art pieces I have planned on creating for some time .

Star Blade - Sole authorship L6, 316 ,14KY

 I look forward to the day I can share them.
For now I'll share again the greatest I have made yet.

  Enjoy,

Ray Hyder
  -Artist-

The Flower ring- 14K yellow , white , green , and rose gold. Blue Topaz , Green Tourmaline

Hummingbird pin-14K yellow,white,green,red and rose gold.

Key pendant- Sterling silver,blue topaz-Handmade.

Heron pendant- Hand engraved Sterling silver.

Friendly frogs- 3D Silver earrings. Hand carved.

Titanium Engraving- Hot blued and re-polished.

Flower earrings-14K yellow, green , white, and red gold.

Hummingbird pin side angle, and original sketch.

Owl after the hunt - Obverse side.

The Group.

        Hope you have enjoyed seeing my work !



                                                Ray.

Big game hunter

Big game BG-42 custom hunter.

Presenting an oldie , but goodie! All the way back in 2006 I made this knife for a discerning customer whom is also my friend. After much consideration he summed up specific requests for blade shape , handle design and engraving ,an order which I then set out to fill. 

The engraving , and back filing of the scales for the insets.

  Using BG-42 blade steel and 316 stainless frame scales housing Cocobolo wood inserts the knife was complete.
 But it still needed a sheath solid enough for a knife so sharp. 

Building the sheath.

So I stacked and laminated hardwood further reinforcing it with aluminum .

As my client wished the sheath was then wrapped in moose hide .









Hope you  have enjoyed this vintage post !

                                                                             Ray.



SOLD.

Star Blade - Handmade Fixed Blade Knife

The Star Blade . One of my latest completed art knives . Named for the tessellating pattern on the handles .With the intention of creating a durable gripping surface I set out using chasing tools to form a star pattern on the stainless steel handle scales .As you may expect this was not an easy undertaking.  by doing so I achieve the result of toughness by work hardening the stainless.  In the bolster areas I engraved some vine scroll embellishments , this time prior to heat treatment for effect .
A fun project that I intend to improve on in the future.
      
 Enjoy,

Ray





Star blade dimensions

Overall length : 5 7/8”
Blade : 2 ¼” long  5/32” wide L6 steel
Handles: 304 stainless steel
Inset :14k gold
Weight : 58 Grams

Hand made sole authorship knife.
Copyright Ray oak Hyder 2011 all rights reserved.

Owl after the Hunt - Sole Authorship titanium folding knife

Proudly presenting a project long in the making. ..'Owl after the Hunt' ,a handmade folding knife.!











Like many of my artistic passions, it turns out a good knife requires quite a bit of effort and excellence in craftmanship to complete. Certainly this was the case with the knife shown before you. The latest one of about a dozen other knives I have made to date. Each one further revealing the subtle challenges that I found in a process of learning and improvement .


With knives there are many critical parameters to meet . At the top of the list is holding a keen and durable edge . And with a folding knife - having a strong blade lock free from any wobble or side-play . Blade shape and handle ergonomics are vital factors as well.
In my opinion there is truly no point in adding embellishments unless these criteria are met or better yet , surpassed.
Amassed together in this piece are countless hours of refinement, practice , and of up most importance thorough testing.
From the results of these tests , I am happy to issue this knife a passing grade. Meeting my personal standards for performance. Furthermore decreeing it a piece worthy of engraving .











As for how it fares in this test, I will leave you to be the judge.

Ray.

Specifications:
Blade: ATS-34 Stainless - 2 1/2" long x 5/8" deep x 3/16" wide .
Lock : Triangular-post 'Pick lock' with release lever .
Handle, Lock release lever, and Pocket clip: 6AL 4V Titanium.
Lock bar, Main bolt, Thumb posts, and Screws: 316 Stainless
Overall length: 6 5/16"
Total weight: 68.8 grams


Sole Authorship Ray o. Hyder
- All Processes, Fabrication, and Engraving executed
exclusively by Ray o. Hyder.
Copyright 2010 all rights reserved