First try...

[Zombie Steve]

Well, there was a prototype before this I learned on... just some scrap mystery metal. It's kind of a gaucho knife, and it's on the workbench for general abuse.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x214/sbecht/Knife_zps9a84c592.jpg

This one is some 3/16" O1 bar stock and some walnut a friend brought home from KS last fall. Heat treat came out ok, but next time I'll get it a little more even and use better oil. Little things piss me off, like the brass tube being off center (handle originally had an index finger groove I hated and re-shaped the whole handle... it used to be centered). Anyway, the bevels are straight and it's spooky sharp. BTW - I love rubbing linseed oil into walnut. :geek:

Anyway, still have some polishing to do, and now I need to find out all the stuff I don't know about sheath making... hopefully gets some use in elk season this year.

One more pic...

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x214/sbecht/knife2_zpsa355606e.jpg

[skullybones]

Looks slick man. Was this all hand work?

[ray1970]

Very nice. I don't think the brass thing looks bad where it is. It is kind of in the centerline of the blade and seems to be inline with the rivets. Wish I had the patience for this kind of stuff.

[Zombie Steve]

Looks slick man. Was this all hand work?


I had a bench grinder for shaping (cut out with a hacksaw) and a belt sander to take out the really rough stuff and initial help with the handle scales, but the bevels, jimping, and the edge were all eyeballed and done by hand.

[henpecked]

You did well it looks very nice.

[Fentonite]

That looks awesome! I would never have believed that it was made by a novice. Beautiful work!

[Irving]

Looks very solid.

[Robb]

That's outstanding. I tried my hand at one out of a lawnmower blade. Let's just say yours looks professional compared to mine.

[BPTactical]

I still wish I had the 2 Bowies I made in high school out of leaf springs (don't laugh, good steel).
A roommate decided he needed them more than I.
For a first go it looks great Steve! Congrats!

Pick up a copy of "How to make knives" by Bob Loveless & Richard Barney. Great resource.

[SA Friday]

Did yo heat treat the blank at all?

[Zombie Steve]

Did yo heat treat the blank at all?

I shaped the knife (probably should have done more work up front, but I was worried about warping) then heat treated via the redneck method - charcoal briquettes and a hair dryer to create the blast furnace. Got it to where a magnet wouldn't stick and quenched in used motor oil.

A few lessons learned - once you test for it being non-magnetic, put it back in the fire before you quench... make sure it's even. Filing and sanding afterwards, it became apparent that the tip half of the blade is harder than near the hilt. Second lesson learned - used motor oil sucks. Not only does it make a filthy mess, but tempering in a toaster oven afterwards was particularly stinky. Also, I've done some reading in the meantime that indicates vegetable / olive oil gets the blade harder.


Quick question for guys with more experience - I'm obviously too late to do it on this blade (and at 3/16" I'm not super worried), but do you guys re-anneal the spine after heat treating for a little flexibility? If so, what's your preferred method? I like the idea of putting clay on the spine for heat treat (spine doesn't drop in temp as quickly as the rest of the blade), but I don't know the right / best method...

[BPTactical]

Quick question for guys with more experience - I'm obviously too late to do it on this blade (and at 3/16" I'm not super worried), but do you guys re-anneal the spine after heat treating for a little flexibility? If so, what's your preferred method? I like the idea of putting clay on the spine for heat treat (spine doesn't drop in temp as quickly as the rest of the blade), but I don't know the right / best method...

There are a few different ways to "Draw the spine" Steve, some will just quench the edge, the clay method which is trickier or here is how I have done it in the past: bring the blade to a polish then harden as the steel requires be it an oil or water hardening alloy.
Bring the blade back to a good polish and then with a torch, lightly play a clean flame along the spine, watching for color closely. You just want a light straw to VERY light hint of violet. Allow to cool. If the blade is such that you are afraid that the heat will get to the edge too quick go to the local welding supply house and get a product called "Heat Stop" paste. Pack the edge with it.
Nothing wrong with used motor oil, it is rich in carbon. The higher polish you have on the blade prior to heat treat the easier the scale cleans off. I have used dark cutting oil with good results.
If you are going for a grained look you just need to kiss it on the belt grinder with the grit of finish you want.

Find out what the critical temperature of the alloy you are using and when you go to the welding supply store pick up "Templaq" stick in the heat range you need, they are a paint stick that melts when you hit the temp you need. Paint line melts, the steel is ready to quench.

[Zombie Steve]

Do you think "drawing the spine" is necessary on a 3/16" knife? I would have thought you'd have to hold the spine at temperature for a while...

Thanks for the tip on tape. I may try just the bernzomatic on my prototype first...

[Ah Pook]

Looks nice. [Awesom]

[pickenup]

Nice.

[Irving]

So how many hours did it take you?

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Very nice.

[Zombie Steve]

So how many hours did it take you?


I gotta have 10-12 hours in this thing by now. Next time, it will be quicker. I kept sanding to get it pretty, realizing something was off, then spending time filing and getting tool marks out again.

[SA Friday]

It will make for a better knife if you do, even on a 3/16" thick blade.

[Zombie Steve]

Finally got around to making the sheath.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x214/sbecht/Done_zps51fb6775.jpg

[Irving]

How'd you punch the holes in the leather?

[Zombie Steve]

I bought a cheap punch, but didn't realize the limited reach. It also had to be done a certain way so it didn't leave indented circles. What I couldn't reach with the punch, I did with a drill bit.

[Irving]

Very well done. The stitches look nice as well.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Finally got around to making the sheath.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x214/sbecht/Done_zps51fb6775.jpg


Impressive... you may quit your day job now! :)

[Zombie Steve]

Not sure about that...

[ChunkyMonkey]

Not sure about that...

Got a funny couple looking for an acreage prop in monument... I ll call you when they fly in.

[Zombie Steve]

Got a funny couple looking for an acreage prop in monument... I ll call you when they fly in.


Funny how? I do know a great Realtor. [cigar]

Thanks.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Funny how? I do know a great Realtor. [cigar]

Thanks.

Funny as in having tons of $ but paranoid about the end of the world. Looking for 'independent living' but they are city folks, not handy at all. You'll know what I mean when you get to meet them.

[Zombie Steve]

I'm sure I've had similar clients. Picture themselves riding horses in the mountains and the hills are alive with the sound of Griswald and everything, but never imagine mucking out stalls or floating their teeth.

[Coffee]