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Handcrafted Blades by Ross Leidy |
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Ross Leidy
Super Member Joined: 10/13/2011 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 402 |
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I appreciate the consideration for my delicate constitution. :)
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Hell-es
Beginner Joined: 01/05/2016 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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Yeah - Ross has finally finish the work with my 2 beauties - and so I wanted to share the first one of them with you today.
I had the first idea of "Bavarian Diamonds" when I ordered my first 2 blades last year - but Ross told me that it won't be possible to make them. So I got 2 other cool designs (one of the already bavarian colored as you see in my Avatar) - but the idea was still alive. And some months ago I again asked Ross if it maybe will be possible one day, in a distant distant future Just to have asked - not that he tells me "I could have done it - but you never asked" But the future came much earlier then - maybe around christmas Ross sent me a message that he thinks he can do it, and was working on a prototype already - he posted it some month ago. From there we just had to select a good wood for the blue color of the bavarian flag. It was a bit sad to waste much dyed wood in the process - but sacrifes have to be made For the composition - one of my last blades was the combi blade - Limba - Ayous - Kiri - Ayous - Yellow Cedar I felt a bit too much vibration with the kiri - only on some days... maye also a user-problem... - and so we chose Ayous as core - to have a bit more solid core. Ross said he also could increase the thickness of the Kiri - but I was afraid that the blade is too fast then. For the Forehandside we switched to Western Red Cedar - to get an softer even better spin feeling So now it is Limba - Ayous - Ayous - Ayous - Western Red Cedar - And I hope for the perfect alround blade Enough words - here the final result Thanks Ross for taking care of customer wishes ;) Edited by Hell-es - 04/08/2016 at 1:42am |
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Tassie52
Gold Member Joined: 10/09/2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 1318 |
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That really is a lovely piece of work. Great design and lovely execution.
I note that, like most other people, you don't get Ross to include an edge strip. After the dings I've given my last blade, I think I'll go back to using the strip. I hate it when such a beautiful thing gets damaged.
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wintermute
Member Joined: 03/24/2016 Location: Sydney Status: Offline Points: 52 |
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I must stop looking at this thread!! Absolutely amazing craftsmanship!! I think the Mondrian is my favourite from the examples I've seen so far, but they are all stunning!
Tony. |
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Any intelligence I may appear to have is purely artificial!
training: vintage blade, 729 cream transcend 1.5mm BH and FH fun: 729 focus snipe III 2.1mm FH & BH, blade you don't want to know ;) |
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AndySmith
Premier Member Joined: 11/12/2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 4378 |
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The handles are absolutely wonderful, but I wonder if you would compare these two blades (when you get the second one)? And do you still have the first one with the kiri core?
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Hell-es
Beginner Joined: 01/05/2016 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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Hi Andy - yeah - I will definitely compare the limba - ayous - kiri - ayous - yellow cear combi blade to limba - ayous - ayous - ayous - western red cedar Because I wanted to see the difference in feel, speed and control from kiri to ayous I think my my favorite would have been the kiri setup with thin layers of carbon - but I think Ross isn't really enthusiastic about using carbon. I asked about maybe trying thin layers of IPE - but he said that would be way to heavy. So we decided to use Ayous - which is a bit heavier - but decrease the core thickness. So it's a try and we look how it works. The great thing is again - even if it doesn't work ... it's art :D |
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Hell-es
Beginner Joined: 01/05/2016 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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And here the second one.
As I always want to try faster blades - I reallized that I normally play better with a slower blade, with a defensive chopping style - and only loop-kill when there is a real chance.... as I don't like a fast rally, as I'm to slow or my technique is too bad So for the second blade I wanted to try a slower balsa setup - we came out with Limba - Ayous - Balsa - Ayous - Limba For Tassie - here we used the edge strip - as Ross told my that the Balsa really needs it For the handle ... Always trying to challenge Ross a bit more - So lets make an Escher 3D cube handle If he can make two different diamonds... then he maybe can also make three differnet diamonds. Complicated here - with two diamonds the angle - i think - is more or less not so important. But with the 3D cubes you need 120° and 60° that they fit into each other, and even smaller diamonds for the 3D impression. And I must say - it worked much much better than I thought possible - the choice of wood was just perfect, and I think the 3D impression really works Again, thanks to Ross for both my blades, and I'm really looking forward to test both of the beauties And here is the result: |
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Tassie52
Gold Member Joined: 10/09/2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 1318 |
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Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!! I wanted to do this! I've been playing with the cube idea for some time but was holding back until Ross seemed ready to tackle it. It does look insanely good. Congratulations to you and Ross for an extraordinarily beautiful piece of work.
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Hell-es
Beginner Joined: 01/05/2016 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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Sorry Tassie ;)
I think around Christmas when Ross said he is working on the diamonds for himself as a test project for the bavarian diamonds I remembered that the 3D effect is also made of diamonds, and sent him the image from a "flooring company" who had the dimensions for the diamonds. And he said he will think about it When we finished the talking about the bavarian handle, I asked if he feels also ready for the 3D cubes... otherwise I would have taken a seconds 2-diamond handle - like the one Ross made for himself - all bright and dark wood - because it looks so traditional, as they did here in bavaria for old furniture. But he said he can give it a try ... but I think it was quiet hard work, because the diamonds here had to be smaller for the effect and had to fit perfectly into each other. Again, thanks to Ross for not only thinking about my ideas - but for make them for real, and in such quality and beauty I don't know where Ross will take us next... but I already think about new design - and hope that he doesn't tell me that I'm totally insane ;) Edited by Hell-es - 04/09/2016 at 8:55am |
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Nasche
Super Member Joined: 04/15/2016 Location: Brazil Status: Offline Points: 155 |
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Congratulations, these are stunning looking blades.
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Tibhar Stratus Powerwood
Tibhar Evolution MX-P BH/FH |
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guillem
Member Joined: 04/28/2005 Location: Spain Status: Offline Points: 69 |
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The quality that this man achieves is simply insane. I'm from Barcelona and no doubt I'll order one day one of those beauties to the Master. By the way, thanks for the photos. Guillem.
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Ross Leidy
Super Member Joined: 10/13/2011 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 402 |
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I just had that chance to try Bois de Rose for the handle on this blade. It's really a beautiful rosewood.
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Ross Leidy
Super Member Joined: 10/13/2011 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 402 |
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The secret is to cheat and use a CNC machine. :) |
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Tassie52
Gold Member Joined: 10/09/2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 1318 |
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Hi all,
I thought I'd like to show you my latest and last blade from Ross. I'm retiring from the workforce in a few weeks and my disposable income is about to be radically impacted, hence one last opportunity to ask Ross to make me something delicious. I suspect the design - another Tassie/Ross collaboration - will draw mixed responses, but he and I both think this looks very cool. The blade is similar to my Weaver: King Billy Pine - Douglas Fir - Kiri - Douglas Fir - King Billy Pine. The handle is Afzelia with Gaboon Ebony inlays. (The keen eyed amongst you might notice that the backhand side of the grip is 3mm thicker than the forehand.) |
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Tassie52
Gold Member Joined: 10/09/2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 1318 |
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A line up of all my Ross Leidy blades? I did wonder if anyone would be interested. Ideally such a photo would show the blades bare to fully appreciate the different outer plies. At present most of my blades still have rubber on them, but I'll look at preparing them for a photo shoot. Thanks for your interest, fatt. Oh, I almost forgot: Ross made himself a version of this latest blade. His blade actually uses more Australian timber than mine! Blade: Australian Red Cedar - Douglas Fir - Kiri - Douglas Fir - Australian Red Cedar Handle: Huon Pine with Amboyna inlays |
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Tassie52
Gold Member Joined: 10/09/2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 1318 |
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In response to fatt's request, here we have the evolution of a blade: From top to bottom and left to right: Ross's original pistol grip. Blade: Tasmanian Blackwood. Handle: Silky Oak Straight handles. Blade 1: Huon Pine. Handle 1: Tasmanian Blackwood. Blade 2: Willow. Handle: Oak, Yew, Birch Knife handles. Blade 1: Redwood. Handle 1: Huon Pine, Mytle, Tiger Myrtle Blade 2: King Billy Pine. Handle 2: Huon Pine, Myrtle, Beefwood Blade 3: King Billy Pine. Handle 3: Afzelia, Gaboon Ebony |
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pgpg
Gold Member Joined: 11/18/2013 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1306 |
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Let me guess - you like orange balls? |
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USATT: ~1810
Butterfly Defense Alpha ST - H3 Neo - Cloud&Fog OX |
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Hell-es
Beginner Joined: 01/05/2016 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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Would also fit the Swiss cheese TT club
Again, Ross has done some wonderful work- and great to see him doing something totally different as I spent so much money on the last 2 blades - I still have to wait until Ross can tackle my new idea, so it's nice to see that there a new blades, not that he quits business before I can order |
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hungry cow
Super Member Joined: 02/07/2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 297 |
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70s Stiga Stellan Bengtsson
FH - Mark V 2.0 BH - Donic Bluefire JP 03 2.0 |
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hungry cow
Super Member Joined: 02/07/2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 297 |
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Didn't like the really big handle that came on my early 70s Stiga Stellan Bengtsan so I took it off and Ross built this beautiful Amboyna Burl with Purpleheart end caps handle for me molded in the shape of a Hock handle for me.
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70s Stiga Stellan Bengtsson
FH - Mark V 2.0 BH - Donic Bluefire JP 03 2.0 |
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Tassie52
Gold Member Joined: 10/09/2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 1318 |
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Looks spectacular, Hungry Cow.
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MTMT
Super Member Joined: 01/19/2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 162 |
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Just came across this thread for the first time. Had time to only scan three pages but just beautiful, beautiful work!! Just wonderful! Thanks for sharing the pleasure.
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Ross Leidy
Super Member Joined: 10/13/2011 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 402 |
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Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the stroll through the thread!
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hungry cow
Super Member Joined: 02/07/2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 297 |
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Ross finished a special handle project for me. I sent him my favorite blade that has been my primary blade the last 3 years, an early 70s Stiga Stellan Bengtsson. I sent him a turning block of briar wood from my grandfather in law who passed away last year who was an avid pipe collecter and maker. All the grandkids got a turning block that he would have used to make a pipe with it. I had Ross make a handle as a tribute to the burl pipes he made and collected with black gaboon ebony for the end piece like a pipe stem. It turned out absolutely stunning and looks even better in person than the pictures. Perfect tribute and way to remember him as well as being as nice a handle as I have seen Ross make.
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70s Stiga Stellan Bengtsson
FH - Mark V 2.0 BH - Donic Bluefire JP 03 2.0 |
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hungry cow
Super Member Joined: 02/07/2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 297 |
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Other side
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70s Stiga Stellan Bengtsson
FH - Mark V 2.0 BH - Donic Bluefire JP 03 2.0 |
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arg0
Platinum Member Joined: 07/22/2009 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 2023 |
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Very nice, thanks for sharing.
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Hell-es
Beginner Joined: 01/05/2016 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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Very nice blade and story
And great that there are some new pictures - I already feared that there are no more blades ;) |
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hleett
Super Member Joined: 04/13/2018 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 496 |
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Did anyone owned or played with Ross's "Effortless" blade? Was there any reviews on it? Thanks.
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Tassie52
Gold Member Joined: 10/09/2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 1318 |
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I don't know the "Effortless". Do you have any information to share? |
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hleett
Super Member Joined: 04/13/2018 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 496 |
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I do have some info and photos Ross sent me. But I need to get his permission before I can post them.
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