My Latest Knife

PILOON · Jan 26, 2012

Grayson Klassen said:
When you use an old file do you just slow grind it to keep the temper. ie. grind dip grind dip?

Yep, that's how I did it.
Also recently used a large thick hacksaw blade to make an utility blade for around the shop.
Works great and sure beats box blades that always snap when U don't want them to.
I also keep an oil stone handy around the work bench for touch ups. and general whetting of my chisels and other edged tools.
I think I could shave with any chisel or planer blade I have.

PILOON · Jan 26, 2012

WagonRanch said:
Nice knife! Here's a Damascus blade that I made for a friend. The handle is not carved it just looks that way. Spalted Big Leaf Oregon Maple.

LOL, your photo is so sharp that I could 'lift' your fingerprints.

WagonRanch · Jan 26, 2012

No, I cheated and bought some Damascus steel. There are tractors to play with after all, and you have to have priorities!

dntfxr · Jan 26, 2012

WagonRanch said:
No, I cheated and bought some Damascus steel. There are tractors to play with after all, and you have to have priorities!

It's still beautiful, and alot of craftsmanship there! I'm not sure I'm ready to attempt forge welding my own yet either! I may cheat too, and start with an easier cable welded blade. It's bad enough when you put hrs into a regular blade only to mess something up on it, I can't imagine the new words I'd make up if I screwed up a nice Damascus one! Lol

WagonRanch · Jan 26, 2012

I hear ya! The only time I'm speak French fluently is when I screw up big time and then I have to say "Pardon my French"!

Baby Grand · Jan 27, 2012

PILOON said:
Yep, that's how I did it.
Also recently used a large thick hacksaw blade to make an utility blade for around the shop.
Works great and sure beats box blades that always snap when U don't want them to.
I also keep an oil stone handy around the work bench for touch ups. and general whetting of my chisels and other edged tools.
I think I could shave with any chisel or planer blade I have.

I had a materials professor who described making knives from old files in class, one day. His process was to anneal the blade by leaving it in a wood fire overnight so he could work the metal into shape easily. When done shaping the blade, he'd heat to cherry red and quench in oil. He said this part required technique - he plunged the blade vertically into an oil filled section of pipe standing on end and capped on the bottom with a lid on the top. He said if you didn't quence the blade perfectly vertical and very quickly into the oil it would warp. The lid was required because the oil would catch fire and the lid snuffed the flames. Then he'd reheat and let it cool until the cutting edge was a straw color and quench, then sharpen.

Jeff Lary · Jan 27, 2012

WagonRanch said:
Nice knife! Here's a Damascus blade that I made for a friend. The handle is not carved it just looks that way. Spalted Big Leaf Oregon Maple.

Very very nice What diameter are the rivets? mine are 1/8 yours look larger whare did you get the brass that size? I am looking for some larger ones myself. I made a knife for me for next deer season a month ago I make a new one for each year lately.I am making a skinner for a friend and when doe I will post a picture of both.

WagonRanch · Jan 27, 2012

I got the rivets from a local company; Valley Wide Fasteners in Chico, CA. It was a few years ago, but I bought quite a few and used some of them to replace the handle on my BBQ spatula and replace the handle on an old kitchen knife. Online you can search for "Cutler's Rivets". Here's one source: Knife Making Supplies - Cutler's Rivets

Baby Grand · Jan 27, 2012

Thanks for that link, WagonRanch. I've been looking for rivets to replace the handle on a flea market cleaver for a while and they look to have just the size I need! The missus will be happy. Now I will be happy.