Gold Ron Lake tail lock

[Brian Hochstrat]

Here is one I finished a few ago. Just got the photos today. Buddy Thomason has been doing my knife photos for the better pieces I want to document and you can see why, a 100% better than when I try and do it.

Anyway, as you can probably see, this was a stainless knife, however I turned it into pretty much an all gold knife. I forget the exact weight in gold I used, but it was a lot! A small tear came to my eye as I watch my gold stock pile wither quite rapidly. Oh well the replacement gold cost even more than the stuff I used, so it must be even better quality

Thanks for taking a look, critique, honest opinion, etc. welcome. Brian

[Gert]

[QUOTE=Brian Hochstrat;57428]Oh well the replacement gold cost even more than the stuff I used, so it must be even better quality

LOL

Amazing stuff Brian, thanks for showing!

[KDavid]

I don't really feel qualified to give you a critique.......but that is One Beautiful Work of Art!!!!! Thank-You for the inspiration.
David

[D.DOUGLAS]

Hi Brian, Man that is nice! My mind is trying to grasp the amout of time that probably took. You probably got an open account with Fort Knox after that one. LOL

[WVEngraver]

Brian, I have heard the commodities speculators have had their eyes on both you and Barry.

Awesome work ...

Won't have much time for the forums for awhile but I just couldn't let this one pass by .... gotta cram in a lot of engraving for the World of Wheels which is fast approaching so try not to miss me too much

[Brian Hochstrat]

Thanks for the kind responses guys. This knife did take a while to finish, scroll work obviously goes faster than my bulino scenes, but inlaying and engraving around the spine took up quite a little time as well as presented its share of challenges. Mainly inlaying along the locking bar, if you swell that steel to any degree you will pinch the locking bar and ruin the knife, so I had to be pretty careful and use more finesse than force to set the gold. There were a few other small challenges, but I won't bore you with all the little details. Thanks for taking a look. Brian

[mgdesigns]

With so many pieces of gold inlayed, does each piece get inlayed separately? Sorry for the novice question, but I've only inlaid one small piece of gold successfully.

[chickenscratcher]

Brian. Beautiful. Also little problems you avoided could be quite helpful hints. I for myself I would have loved to watch or see some of the steps to this successful masterpiece. Very, very nice indeed. Thanks. chickenscratcher

[Ron Jr.]

Awesome as always Brian

[Cassie]

Brian, first of all what a piece of work. It's something I'd like to see in the real world. The detail is too much.

I get "I forget the exact weight in gold I used, but it was a lot! A small tear came to my eye as I watch my gold stock pile wither quite rapidly. Oh well the replacement gold cost even more than the stuff I used . . ."

For those who may not considered the reality of pricing: you always calculate replacement cost of metals and materials used and charge according. It's not what you paid for the metal, but what you will have to pay. If you don't it could be expensive in a very personal way. Market speculators have turned gold into a hot commodity.

My personal take is that it's Brain's technique and artistry that adds value way beyond the cost of materials.
Many it seems don't take this into consideration when pricing their work.
This particular comment is not directed at Brian.

cassie

[Brian Hochstrat]

Cassie, Yeah my comment was tongue and cheek, but based in seriousness, you are absolutely correct, you need to charge the current market price being that is what the gold is worth, wether you are selling it to a customer inlayed into a knife, or to the foundery in what ever form. Sometimes you gain a little on your gold investment, sometimes, when the price drops, you loose a little.

[jlseymour]

Brian over the top, thanks...
Love to watch you someday...
Jerry and Joan

ps: Hope to see you at the engrave-in...

[Ray Cover]

Oh crap Brain,

That is just scary nice. Well done my friend

Ray

[Big-Un]

Brian, you are quickly entering "Steve Lindsay" territory with your excuisite gold work!! It is my pleasure to know you.

Bill Moody

[SEngraver]

Hi Brian,
That is way beautiful and amazing !
I would not worry about the cost of gold used on the inlay etc,the real value in in how you designed and engraved the whole project and the time it took to complete it.

Most of all many would appreciate work like that.
SE