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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: Bear on May 08, 2010, 11:02:00 PM

Title: My first go at knife making
Post by: Bear on May 08, 2010, 11:02:00 PM
I made this from a rusty file, brass pins, some phenolic given by a friend, and plenty of advice from Robtattoo. Sheath is scrap leather, friction fit. All shaping done with angle grinder and files. Total investment $2.

Not exactly a gentlemans finesse blade, but I wouldn't hesitate to pound it through kindling wood with a river stone.

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/waroche75/Knife1-1.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/waroche75/Knife2-1.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/waroche75/Knife3.jpg)
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: canders on May 08, 2010, 11:11:00 PM
Looks great ... Way better than my first .. Good work
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: SoNevada Archer on May 09, 2010, 12:19:00 AM
Very nice!
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on May 09, 2010, 12:29:00 AM
Nice work.
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: jvholt on May 09, 2010, 01:12:00 AM
I love the way knives look that are made from files.I haven't tried one yet but should. By the way it looks real good.
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: Lin Rhea on May 09, 2010, 07:40:00 AM
That's a good job! Well done.  :thumbsup:  Lin
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: KHALVERSON on May 09, 2010, 08:03:00 AM
thats the kind of knife i like most
and a heck of of good job
kevin
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: skullworks on May 09, 2010, 08:50:00 AM
Great job! Nothing wrong with that one!
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: MYSTIKBOW on May 09, 2010, 11:38:00 AM
Bear,
      That looks like a real work horse!! Very Nice Job!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: Bear on May 10, 2010, 09:39:00 AM
Thanks guys. Might become a full fledged hobby, but I'll probably wait till I have belt sander for the next one.
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: Doug Campbell on May 10, 2010, 10:12:00 AM
Looks good Alex  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: Zbearclaw on May 10, 2010, 11:55:00 AM
Awesome!

I am going to tinker with file knives soon too.  The part that baffles my brain is the terminology and ways to treat the steel.  I need to spend a bunch of time figuring that out.

I only hope it turns out half as well as yours...  Beautiful!
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: Bear on May 10, 2010, 12:30:00 PM
Oh lawwwd! Dont give yourself a headache over it. I might do some more research when I graduate to high dollar damascus, but for now, just cook it, grind it, cook it!  :D  

I have gone over the deep end in the past with building bows, arrows, etc. This time I promised myself I would keep it stupid simple... and CHEAP. Have to say, it was quite enjoyable. Next, I might use an actual store-bought billet and a belt sander. Other than that "K.I.S.S." for now.
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: Zbearclaw on May 10, 2010, 01:40:00 PM
The "cook it" is what I am not sure of!
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: mater on May 10, 2010, 05:30:00 PM
I really like the shape of that handle, its a bit differant.   Mark
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: aussieman8 on May 10, 2010, 05:54:00 PM
that looks really cool.
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: Bear on May 11, 2010, 11:16:00 AM
Zeke,

In all seriousness, I almost over-complicated my first effort. It's easy to do with the sum knowledge of mankind at our fingertips. I boiled it down to;

> Heat till non-magnetic
> Shape, grind, etc. all the way to beginings of polish.
> Heat to non-magnentic
> Quench
> Temper in oven
> Polish
> Attach and shape handle
> Polish
> Sharpen

As with all skills, there's potentially way more to it. I think our potential pitfall with internet these days is trying to accumulate and apply a lifetime of knowledge to a first effort. Sure, you could, but if knowledge outruns skill by too much, we stand to become frustrated. JMO
  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: Zbearclaw on May 11, 2010, 07:38:00 PM
Even I can handle that!

Every time I would look into doing a simple version of s file/ sping/ lawnmower/ whatever blade I found so much I didn't know my head spun and my neck hurt!

I will see what files I can find around town and get to making sparks, thanks for dumming it down.  You obviously know how to pick read your audience!  

Just kidding, but in all seriousness thanks for the tips and congrats on a beautiful knife!
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: fedora on May 14, 2010, 11:16:00 PM
Dude, that knife is sweet!  I might ask you to make one for me.  If this is your first, I hate to see the knives you make when you are a professional.  My wallet would be empty buying your knives.
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: Bodork on May 14, 2010, 11:57:00 PM
Nice job!!!
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: OconeeDan on May 15, 2010, 08:57:00 AM
Very nice!  Doesn't look like a first knife to me!
Dan
Title: Re: My first go at knife making
Post by: 2 edges on May 16, 2010, 09:12:00 PM
Good job,nice looking.