Trad Gang
Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: kbaknife on August 15, 2010, 07:32:00 PM
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I needed to photograph this for Kevin Evans (Rooster) who was here at my shop to watch me build one of these, so I thought I might share it with you guys as well.
This is one of my "Field Grade" knives, but don't let the title fool you - it's built every bit as solid as any knife from Andersen Forge.
When this is done - tomorrow some time - I will do a final photo and a little history of the materials used.
The blade was forged from 1 " square 5160 made in 1984.
The Osage was stabilized and cut from logs I acquired that were harvested in the mid-60s. I've had them for 15-16 years.
Stainless guard. (The light is playing some weird voodoo on the geometry there? Either that or my editing)
I wanted to show the full through-tang, and the handle pinned to the guard for lateral strength, as well as creative freedom during the construction, and the threaded finial.
What some folks never get to see is that 5/16" collar that the finial goes through.
That is seated in the bottom of the stepped hole so that throughout the construction of the knife, the "ledge" of the finial never grinds on wood, but is always metal-to-metal when assembled.
I go through such grain refinement and spherodizing steps on my steel, that when I seat the finial - again and again - I seat it with vise grips nearly as tight as I can do it by hand.
When I have to do a little bend in the tang, I literally have to put on my welding gloves, lock the tang in the vise and grab the blade and leeeeeeeaaaaaaaan backwards to get it to bend.
That 5160 is flat friggin' bad butt tough when treated correctly.
When the assembly is done, you can drive over one of these knives with your truck.
Just thought you guys might enjoy another picture here on this Sunday afternoon!
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/Knives%2010/fieldknifeA-1.jpg)
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I like seeing stuff like this Karl. It sure inspires confidence in your work. Lin
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I am lucky enough to have one of Karl's knives and until you have the opportunity to handle one you just can't beleive the quality and fit & finish! And talk about sharp!
I will never test his claim concerning driving my F-250 over my knife, I beleive him!
I wish I lived close to his shop!
A very satisfied customer.
Steve
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Potomac Forge
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this is great....
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Scott, did I quench that one while you were here?
I think that's the one you saw me grind.
I call this a "Field Grade" as I spent not even one minute working on that guard by hand.
It was completely shaped and finished by machine.
Kevin Evans watched me do it.
Here's the front view:
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/Knives%2010/ga-1.jpg)
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That is soooo sweet!!!
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Really dont know what to say,its amazing to see you work.I will try very hard to put what you have taught me to good use.
I like Steve own some of Karl's knives and they are as good as he says.
Thank you very much Karl
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I have 4 of Karl"s knives and they are fantastic. Really first rate craftmanship in every detail. Karl is a master of his trade as far as I am concerned.
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Nice Karl... Yeah... You quenched one. And then you really fixed my grinding and finishing by working on that one. Things are moving much smoother at Big Rock Forge these days...
Need to get on take downs next!
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Heck of a nice knife Karl. Knifemaker
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Very nice knife.....Randy