Knives & Grenades

These were produced as part of my Minor Project in my final year of college. Throughout this project I developed a broad range of practical and creative skills, moving from machining and sanding to mouldmaking, casting, sculpting, and painting.

Working on the knife and grenade components taught me the importance of accuracy and patience. Using vernier calipers, engineering squares, and sanding tools showed me how small adjustments can make a big difference. When equipment issues or breakages occurred, such as the milling machine being unavailable or the blade end snapping, I learned to adapt quickly, rethink my approach, and remake components with more care and awareness of material limitations.

Creating silicone, resin, rubber, and foam moulds and casts was one of the most challenging but rewarding parts of the process. Some early casts failed due to temperature, mixture, or support issues, but each mistake helped me improve my technique. I became much more confident in mixing ratios, using pigments, vacuum degassing, and predicting how materials would behave. Experimenting with cold-casting metals, different pigments, and various casting methods taught me how creative and flexible these processes can be.