Trad Gang
Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: tippit on September 08, 2008, 07:33:00 AM
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I've been forging for the past 3 years and have gotten pretty good at coping knife shapes (not necessarily making knives). As you may have seen, I like the looks of leaving some forge marks on my blades. But I haven't really come up with a knife that I could call my own style til perhaps now.
Thanks to:
1) Doug who taught be the basics of forging right here thru the computer & Trad Gang.
2) Karl who solved the mystery of flaring out a guard.
3) Quebec Quest Bear Camp where I got to try all my different ideas on blades as to thickness, shapes, etc. I got some great R&D feed back that really made me a much better blacksmith.
4) Everyone's help and encouragement right here on Trad Gang :notworthy:
Anyway this one is 8 1/2" oal with a large flared finger guard. Blade finished but the rest left raw plus my favorite handle...para cord. Funny to be using para cord as this past weekend I just procured some pre-ban Elephant Ivory Slabs! Doc
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/FlaredFingerGuard003.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/FlaredFingerGuard007-1.jpg)
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Looks good Doc, but you already knew that! ;)
Pre-ban ivory, huh? I had a guy tell me recently he had a whole mess of it... I just can't for the life of me remember WHO!!!??? :banghead: I was even practicing my scrimshaw!!
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Another beauty Doc! Really like the looks of this one...simple yet practical. Keep'm coming! I truly enjoy coming on here and seeing what you and rest of the knife makers are coming up with.
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I like that Doc!!!I don'ty think ivory would hurt it's looks any
:biglaugh:
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Very Nice - This forging thing is more addictive than bow making!!
Bob Urban
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Oh, now I really like that Doc. I reckon a set of very thin Ivory 'plates' shaped around the guard would look really classy.
Please, feel free to send me the materials to show you what I mean..... ;)
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Ivory would look great...but not on a knife that is meant to get down & dirty and slippery & slimy :eek: Plus handle doesn't lend itself for a smooth transition around the flare. What you can't see is the flare area is very thick with a dramatic tapering of the tang & blade. I'll take another picture of the balance as it is perfectly balanced at the flare. Nice to have as it is full thickness 1/4" 5160 bar stock at the flare. Doc
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That puppy is SWEET!!
Almost what I had in mind - you dawg!
Mind if I borrow it?
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Just an idea of the balance and the amount of taper to tang and blade. Because it is made backwards from my normal forging in that the flare is pounded in regular bar stock first. Once I'm satisfied with the amount of steel pushed out at the flare, then I forge the tang and blade...being careful not to disturb the flare with an errant hammer blow. Ask me how I know this...makes you use your hammers and edge of the anvil more precisely :)
The idea of showing this isn't so much about how the knife looks with a certain type of handle material but more the process in discovering a new or different blade design. I have more fun making and testing blades than finishing 'em! Guess that's why my blades will never win any beauty contests. Just as long as they do their job, I'm happy...Doc
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/FlaredFingerGuard008.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/FlaredFingerGuard012.jpg)
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Karl, You create Not borrow knife designs! I am in awe of your work...Doc
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that thing is cool... :thumbsup:
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Keeps getting better Jeff.
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man that is awesome doc. :thumbsup:
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tippit, your one of top makers on my list of knives to get, I like the forge marks on the blade and the wrap handle
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Tippit, that is a VERY nice knife, worthy of being your signature knife. No matter what the handle material is.
Dan
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That is just OUTSTANDING. Oh yeah, I like it too! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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what grinder are you useing? Do you freehand that grind? I like that style but have a tough time trying to achieve it.
Your knifes are awesome
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I use a KMG grinder and I do freehand grind. Not very precise but it seems to work for me. But most of my grinding is just cleaning up my tapers from forging with my hammers. That's why you don't see very deep grinding cuts at my ricasso area and my tang tapers are pretty much all forged. Sure saves on grinding belts! I do have a little Scotch in my ancestry :) tippit
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So,
Doc,
Are you EVER going to sell any of these? How many years have I been asking this?
:knothead: :banghead:
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Doc, I really like the size of that blade and the balance looks great.
Also the blade will get better with use and wear, something I always look at.
Pretty is as pretty does in my book, that one is great as your signature knife.
Would be a easy one for a formed sheath as well.
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"Would be a easy one for a formed sheath as well."
Robin maybe easy for you! I can form steel better than I can form leather :banghead: But I'm glad you like it...Doc
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I think thats a fine example of your signature knife Jeff. I've been looking,ok drooling, over your knives for the last couple of years now.
That knife right there has utility written all over it and if you ever DO start selling them I want to get in line.
JOHN
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SImple, elegant & functional . . .
As always, beautiful.
Larry
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Nice, very nice, Doc.
(I need to know how to do the simple knots for the parachord handles. I need to replace one and put one on another knife. I should be able to tell by taking what's left of the one off. However, while it appears simple, I can't seem to figure out how to actually do it. Got time for a "tie-a-long" thread? - LOL)
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Bernie, It is very easy and fast. Takes about 10 minutes to add a corded handle. Once you see a couple tricks, than it's like tying your shoes. My wife is in France right now so when she gets home I'll have her take some pictures of for a Tie-A-Long.
Only problem is I'll probably have to ask her in French...now where did I put that French/English dictionary anyway :knothead: I hope she learned some French cooking...not sure if just eating in restaurants would work though :) Doc
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I like it Jeff. Sure looks good, you have come a long way in a short time. That para cord really is hard to beat when doing real dirty work. Keep on having fun, the world needs more knives!
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outstanding work Jeff. i really like the flared out guard.