• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

16 1/4" bowie knife

M

magnum .44

Joined
Jun 12, 1999
Messages
1,110
i'm making a bowie knife, but i've never made one of this size. it's 440c, but i don't know what rc hardness to make it? i was thinking 55rc, agree. do you think it should have a guard or bolsters? it's sheffield style, and i'm putting desert iron wood handles on it.
 
What size of stock are you using for the blade?
I would heat treat to 57 -59 RC, this way your knife will hold a edge for a while and you also maximise corrosion resistance. It will stand up to heavy use well.
A while back I made a bowie out of 1/4 " ATS 34 treated to a RC of 60 and it stood up to some abusive tests e.g. punkturing the hood of a 76 F 150, chopping 2 x 4 's, throwing, whaking soft steel bars. It never broke or chipped.
I don't recommend doing this with the custom knife you just bought.

------------------
Haslinger Handcrafted Custom Knives
http://members.home.net/thknives
thknives@home.com
 
3/16" thick 440c, thanks for your input, i think i'll stay around 57rc, it is a pretty big knife blade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top