I want to make a bronze leaf blade...

[Mud Hawk]

I really want to make a leaf blade shaped knife out of brass or bronze. Small, only 2.5" long and a little less than 1/4" thick. I will make a small leather pouch for carrying it. I will primarily be using a tiny ball-peen hammer to get that knapped look. Anyone ever done something like this or know a source to get the right sized chunk of brass or bronze?

[uniface]

Sheet brass is easy enough to come by -- guys who make replicas of antique rifles use it daily.

Cut your shape with a saw, file the edges sharp, and there you are.

[Mud Hawk]

Thanks Uniface, I'll look into that. Wonder if it will have the thickness though. At least now I have a better way to start than wandering around Home Depot for an hour looking for something that could fit the bill.

[DesertWalker]

Check out the local machine shop.

[uniface]

What thickness were you looking for ? Unless you want a center ridge, the thicker stuff they sell to make 18th Century lockboltplates out of will be way thicker than you'd need, provided it isn't pre-cut into smaller blanks than you'd want.

[mootsman]

I have a LOT of scrap brass from decades of metal detecting around 1780-1865 sites and it all has a nice green patina. PM me if want me to mail you a piece. That way you would have a real patina and knowledge that it is old brass.

[Mud Hawk]

Thanks for the generous offer, really appreciated! I am afraid this little project is on hold as my next project now will be a new design for a tabletop olive oil burning stove/lamp/candle. Winters are VERY rough here and electricity is going up 30% this January. Need some small efficient/inexpensive DIY heating and it will scratch my metal working bug. Will keep all these posts in mind and revisit in a few weeks as I still want to make this little archaic feeling pocket tool.

Will post the olive oil burner here when done as it really is great indoor burning fuel. Non-volatile and scent free too!