eversharp pen pics

 

Good day

Had a very productive day ins stockmaking today and if everything goes well this weekend, i should move on to shaping the blank Monday.  I'm also very close to done with the engraving on the front ring of the 338-06 Mauser, its taking me longer than i thought it would but is turning out nice.  Pics soon to follow.

A Sharp Project

Due to my interest in all things anachronistic and the west I decided that my third semester barreling project would be a sharps buffalo rifle in 2 and 7/8 more commonly called 45-110.

After confirming financial backing for the project (thanks mom and dad), I went about assembling the necessary parts. I procured my action from C sharps of big timber Montana, a great group of people who answer all my questions and were really helpful. My barrel, a 34 inch octagon heavy contour from Green Mountain, and a two piece stock blank from a friend in trade for some engraving. I also acquired gauges and chamber reamers from Pacific Tool and Gage.

Now that I had all the parts I needed a plan and a goal. I wanted to really pick up my game and make this as perfect as possible. I spoke with my instructor John about the layout of what I needed to do. I started with the barrel, draw filing and polishing the flats to a uniform 320 polish.

(Draw Filing the barrel)

(Polishing the Barrel)

Due to the demands of my classes and other projects there is no way I could have the entire action finished by shot show in January so I had to select a portion of the sharps to have ready. John suggested to do just the lock plate. While the action arrived from C Sharps in beautiful condition it was polished with buffing wheels and the nature of that kind of polishing gently rounded the corners. So i set about polishing up the lockplate flat and polishing all the nooks and crannies to a 400 grit polish.  Normally a standard grade gun would not have these small details fixed as it is very labor intensive and not really noticeable unless you know what you are looking for.

(This picture shows how the edges are not crisp due to buffing.)

(The edge of the lockplate that will require polish.)

The back side of the lockplate that i will polish and jewel in the areas that have moving parts.

50 Great albums start to finish

These are not the 50 greatest albums but 50 albums that are listenable straight through, with hardly a bad song among them. They may not all be hits or extremely popular and there are same major players missing. Certain bands have produced so many good albums that it is hard to pick so they will wait for a later list of 50 more great albums. The albums are listed no particular order though most wound up to be alphabetical. I think that there is something for everyone here and you may find something that you did not originally think you would like. Have fun.

Ace of Base – The Sign
The Sign, or Happy Nation in the rest of the world is a great album of early 90’s dance pop. Ace of Base holds the #3 spot for highest selling debut album with The Sign being beaten out only by heavy hitters Guns and Roses and Linkin Park and had three #1 Hits. It has a great beat throughout and brings back memories of awkward school dances.

Ambeon – Fate of a Dreamer
Fate of a dreamer combines the haunting vocals of Astrid Van Der Veen with the ambient influenced hard rock compositions of Arjen Lucassen. Every track has a depth of character all its own but is intensified by the album as a whole. The album definitely has a European prog-metal feel.

America – The Last Unicorn Soundtrack
This somber album, though not one of Americas most popular, has a deep soul. With the vocal accompaniment of Jeff Bridges and Mia Farrow this soundtrack is more memorable than the film. America’s vocals and gentle instrumentals perfectly fit a modern 20th century fairy tale.

Billy Joel – River of Dreams
Reflective, observant, and a scathing social critique, River of dreams is the only Billy joel album that is entirely listenable straight through.

Black Label Society – The Blessed Hellride
Talk about intense! This album is an alcohol fueled ass whuppin! Not only one of the greatest guitarists Zack Wyld’s gravel pit vocals are outstanding. Ripping vocals and heavily distorted guitar make this an epic of Sludge.

Blind Guardian – Nightfall in middle earth
The ultimate concept album, Nightfall in Middle Earth tells the tale of JRR Tolkien’s Silmarillion. The album uses both spoken words and murderous guitar rifs to set the stage and tell the story. Kursch’s Vocals transform from melodic and sweet to raw and aggressive and back again in an epic that will send you to another world.

Bruce Dickinson – My Chemical Wedding
Another concept album by one of the most brilliant minds of metal, My Chemical Wedding takes the prophetic books of poet and madman William Blake and develops them into a metal opus of great quality. At times using the heavy and plodding rifs’ reminiscent of sludge cut through with clear electric rifs Dickenson cannot be said to imitate Maiden but has his own unique sound. His masculine dramatic tenor dominates this album more than others leaving you with the slight esoteric message of My Chemical Wedding .

Bruce Dickinson – Tyranny of Souls
A varied album that stretches across a wide variety of metal from the road anthem of Devil on a Hog to the Ballad Navigate the Seas of the sun. Though not as coherent as My Chemical Wedding, Tyranny of souls does have a mildly unifying theme of space travel and human enlightenment. This album does not fail to deliver.

Candlemass – Ancient dreams
If Ozzy and Sabbath invented doom metal then Candlemass perfected it. An album full of magic spells, evil ancient sorcerers, and epic items will not disappoint the fan of the genra or a D&D fan. The riffs are plodding and the vocals of Messiah Marcolin are first class eerie.

Depeche Mode- Violator
“I don’t want to sound gay or nothing but I really like Depeche Mode.” Though thought of as an 80’s band this album was released in 1990 and is their best selling album. My favorite track on the album is Blue Dress.

Disturbed – The Sickness
If your heart rate doesn’t go up when listening to this album, you’re dead. A Blitzkrieg of intense vocal cord ripping insanity. Not as instrumentally or musically perfect as their later albums, the feeling and intensity make up for it by far.

Dr. Dre – 2001
Still authentic, The Dr is in.

Eminem – The Marshal Mathers LP
“You don’t wanna fuck with steveie, cuz Stevie will fuckin kill you”

Enya – A day without rain
Choosing an Enya album for this list was difficult as all of her albums maintain a good listen ability throughout. A Day Without Rain however stands out in my mind as a calm and relaxing album that I can listen to over and over again without it getting tired or boring.

Eric Clapton – Unplugged
Kinda cheating, as this is a sort of a compellation of his work, but I just love the unplugged sound and this is my favorite rendition of Layla.

Evanescence – Fallen
I don’t have a lot to say about this album as I always thought that Evanescence was just a rip off of Nightwish, but I have to admit that they were able to do what Nightwish was not… win Grammys.

Fleetwood Mac – Rumors
Arguably their best album, all the members contribute to create a great album.

Fleetwood Mac – Tango in the Night
Definitely a different sound than rumors, a different side of Fleetwood Mac that is worth checkin out.

Fleetwood Mac – Tusk
Tusk is almost three albums in one and it kinda breaks my rule of the album must be great throughout. A third of the songs were written/sang by Mcvie a third by Buckingham, and a third by Nicks. Listen to just the Stevie Nicks songs and it is one of the best albums ever made and some of her finest if not best work. Sara (6:27) is an epic of love and heartache. My favorite off the album is Beautiful Child.

Garth Brooks – No Fences
GB’s bestselling album with an enormous number of hits, a classic of country music with true crossover appeal, no wig required.

Garth Brooks – Ropin the Wind
My first Garth Brooks album brings back awesome childhood memories. I consider this stronger country than No fences and it has a livelier tempo than No Fences and resulted in some of the best live performances of all time.

George Harrison – All things must pass
Some artists work a bit and release a bit, not George Harrison. Released after the breakup of the Beatles this album was the first triple by a solo artist. The body of work here in this one release has more quality than most bands can create in a lifetime. Melodic, introspective, and uplifting, a classic for all time.

Gwen Stefani – Love. Angel. Music. Baby
A fun and poppy album that showcases the quirky and talented Stefani apart from No Doubt.

Halford – Resurrection
After a long and troubled absence from judas priest with many failed bands and solo projects Rob Halford went back to his Birmingham roots and produced a metal album the likes of which had not been seen since his days with priest. This album laid the groundwork for his return as front man to the best classic metal band of all time! Each song builds the next into a crescendo of metal that shows off his nearly four octave range, but the instrumentals are not forgotten as halford brought in Roy Z and Mike Chlasciak on Guitars and Bobby "Wire" Jarzombek on Drums.

Jay Z – The Black Album
Im not a huge rap/hip hop fan. But I found myself listening to this album over and over with my favorite track being Lucifer.

Jessica Fichot – Le Chemin
Awesome French pop in the Chanson style. Very listenable, makes me want to drink a glass of absinthe at an outdoor café while writing my novel on my MacBook(lol).

Joe Satriani – The Extremist
A metal guitar instrumental album is a tough thing to produce and produce well. Satriani is one of only two to ever accomplish it successfully. This album kicks ass though its prolific use in commercials does detract from its listenability a bit as you say to yourself, was that in a Chevy commercial?

John Lennon – Imagine
If this list were ranked I think that this album would be #1. This album speaks so strongly I have trouble describing it. It challenges the listener to examine themselves and their world in a way that only fine music can.

Judas Priest – Demolition
Tim ”Ripper” Owens.

Judas Priest – Hell Bent for Leather/Killing Machine
Judas Priest delivered the goods with this album. This album is almost not metal (Ghasp!!) It’s more hard rock it has southern rock feel and has a Fleetwood Mac cover. So if your looking for classic or screaming modern priest you should go elsewhere, but if you’re looking for a great album without baggage then check out Hell Bent for Leather.

Judas Priest – Sad wings of destiny
Their second studio album on their first record label Sad wings is more Sabbath and Zeppelin inspired. It has a bit of groovy and psychedelic styling though not as much as their first album and begins to showcase Halfords vocal range. A classic and an essential listen for priest fans.
Judas Priest – Fuck it listen to all their albums

Justin Timberlake – Future Sex/Love Sound
This is one of the best male pop albums since MJ was crankin em out. The beats are catchy the lyrics are original and memorable and the guest appearances are all in the right place, an awesome album.

Kate Nash – Made of Bricks
A great British indy pop album. So whatcha bein a dickhead for? go listen to the album!

King Crimson – In the Court of the Crimson King
Haunting and psychedelic, the ultimate prog rock album they went deeper and further than the moody blues or pink floyd into prog and they produced “an uncanny masterpiece”.

King Diamond – Abigail
A concept album with an operatic tone. Diamond’s unique vocals and near perfect instrumental accompaniment make this strange album well worth a listen.

Korn – Issues
Korn is very likely the best numetal band ever. Their music is listenable, lyrics thought through and understandable. Their sound is unique in both the vocals and the unique slapping and fingerstyle guitar rifs.

La Roux – La Roux
Euro-Pop dance is often a genre with shallow songs, shitty performers and overtly sexy anorexic front women. La Roux is none of these. This album has depth and her vocal talent is abundant.

Lady GaGa – The Fame Monster
Lady GaGa is a superstar. Explicit, sexy, crazy, weird, lady gaga will be a future force in pop music rivaling Madonna and Michael Jackson.


Manowar – Into Glory Ride
Manowar is officially, according to the guiness book of world records, the loudest band in the world. This album is the perfect representation of their sound and tru/epic metal. Manowar is not for pussies or those with sensitive ears.

Megadeth – Rust in Peace
This barely made my list as Megadeth can’t seem to make an album that doesn’t have at least one shitty song on it.

Mercyful Fate – Melissa
This album is pure raw evil. King Diamond has a voice straight from the sixth circle of hell. Hank Sherman rips some serious riffs that are a mixture of thrash and doom, that heavily influenced acts like Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer.

Metallica –
Album crafters extraordinaire, Metallica repeatedly succeed at creating albums that are listenable straight through and over and over again. Try out Master of Puppets, And Justice for All, The Black album, and for a different flavor S&M

MIKA – Life in Cartoon Motion
A reborn Freddy Mercury but not a cookie cutter. Life in cartoon Motion is a fun journey of ups and downs.

Misfits – Earth A.D.
A horror punk classic, Danzig’s vocals rock your “mother”.

Nazareth – Hair of the dog
Southern Rock extraordinaire, Nazareth makes you want to go to a corner bar chain smoke and sing crappy karaoke while drunk as hell on cheap beer.

Nick Drake – Five Leaves Left
Five Leaves First was made when Drake was only 20 but showcases a soul as old as time itself. The guitar work is simple but beautiful and a perfect accompaniment to the slightly breathy vocals. The album has a mournful almost dirge like tone that does not apologize for itself with an out of character song like most albums with this style. Even the songs with a bit brighter tempo show themselves as part of the greater piece through their lyrics.

Nick Drake – Pink Moon
Nick drakes third and final studio album, released shortly before he withdrew from the world fighting titanic bouts of depression that eventually lead to his premature death at 26. This album is even more minimalist that earlier albums with all lyrics and music written and performed by Drake. Somber and at sometimes depressing Drake’s state of mind while writing this album shows through clearly.

Norah Jones – Come away with me
With a voice as soft as satin Norah Jones debut album was a safe first album and has none of the quirkier songs of her later albums making it a one setting listen with no interruptions. Performing songs from some of the greatest songwriters, she executes them without flaw and with a breathy vocal style that keeps you coming back.

Pantera – Cowboys from Hell
Racing guitar, pounding drums and screaming vocals, Pantera says were taking over this town and goodbye to pussy metal. With other early metal albums Cowboys from hell shaped metal in the early 90’s.

Peter Tosh – Equal Rights
While not as popular as his fellow wailer Bob Marley, Peter Tosh has an impressive and politically charged reggae album in Equal Rights.

Silver Inlay

A few people have been asking me about the process that I’m using to engrave my black powder pistol. Let me start by saying that this is only the way I do things, it is not necessarily the only or best way and if I find a better way then I will do that. I first drew a pattern using a drafting pencil on Mylar film. I decided on a skeletal scroll design that would have all the lines inlayed with silver to contrast the color case on the lockplate and browning of the barrel. After some refinement I scanned the patterns into the computer and tweaked and resized them in adobe illustrator.

I then apply some transfer fluid to the metal and print a reflection of the design on transparency paper. The ink is only lightly attached to the tooth of the plastic and can be easily burnished onto the workpiece. I then use a 90˚ square graver to cut the pattern. I then remove the ink lines and deepen the lines with a freshly sharpened square graver to achieve the desired width of line. To get the silver wire to stay in the metal the lines must be undercut so as to create a channel to hold the softer silver. I use a flat graver that has been ground to a point 8-10 thousandth wide. I use a scallop style cut as taught to me by Ray Cover in the bottom of the original v line as this lessens travel of the wire in the line while hammering.

After the undercut has been made I hammer the silver wire into the lines, this leaves a few thousandths of silver above the level of the metal. This is taken down to flush with a combination of draw filing, polishing paper, and Gesswein stones.

The initial design for the barrel.
Barrel design final after work in illustrator.
Initial lockplate design
Refined lockplate design.
My messy bench.
barrel all cut ready to inlay.
Monarch handpiece with lockplate in process.
The gravers i used.
Square graver with penny for size reference.
Flat undercut graver with penny for reference.
Lockplate in process under scope
Cutting initial lines
Inlaying silver into scalloped undercut lines
Silver hammered in prior to sanding.
Finished inlay ready for color case hardening.

Im a High Baker

Ok, so this post has been a long time coming. I have been doing a lot of baking recently. For those of you who don’t know I am at about 6000 feet. Betty Crocker says that anything over 3500 feet is high altitude. In St. Louis I loved to bake and was afraid when moving to Trinidad of having problems baking with the altitude.

The strangest thing has happened; I have become a better baker. All of my baked goods have improved. My breads are all rising uniformly and in a reasonable time(sometimes in STL it

may take all day even in the summer). My bagels have never been better. So far I am blaming the humidity as it is extremely low here.

Went to Bishop Castle, a fantastic place. The entire castle is hand built by one man, Jim Bishop, with all recycled and scrap parts, even all the rock came from the side of the highway. Its on Hwy 165 a few miles off of I25 and it is definitely worth the visit. when you get out of your car you are greeted with a few signs and warnings.

You can tell that he is a bit of an eccentric, but i think that all visionaries are. This man and his castle seems to cast doubt on the phrase "No man is an island".