3rd Knife WIP

Tiiiiiiiim

Tiiiiiiiim

Joined
Jun 11, 2010
Messages
952
This is my 3rd knife and I'm REALLY excited about this one. I know im going to enjoy making and using it just from my preliminary sketch and template. Hopefully it all turns out ok. I'm undecided on the notches on blade spine for grip. I've never really needed grip. People opinions on that would be helpful. OK here goes.

Specs:

Steel - RWL 34
Blade length - 4"
Blade thickness - 3.5mm (whatever that is in " )
Handle Length - Just over 4" (I cant read imperial 106mm)
Scales - Timber (undecided on what species)

Drawing and making the template -

89600033.jpg
11239555.jpg


Ready to start! More soon.

Tim.
 
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Tim,
I really like this design.:thumbup: I don't know what to tell you about the notches, or jimping on the spine. I've wanted to experiment with it myself, but I'm not sure if the set of small files I have would do a good job or not. As a beginner myself I haven't been able to explore all the areas of making that I want to just yet:D, but I think the knife would look good with some jimping on the spine, although I think it would be more functional if it was farther back toward the front end of the handle. Where you have it drawn in right now is too far out in my opinion.

Can't wait to see more:thumbup:
 
I like the looks of it. As for the handle, I know its all up to you but when I look at the shape of the knife as a whole I see two different handle materials combined. A dark nicely (read heavily) figured wood above the line and black textured G10 below the line. Not sure if I would be willing to give something like that a go with my current skill level, but would it ever look sweet to my eye that way. I think the gimping suits the knife design nicely too, if you can do it, go for it.

They do make special files to do the gimping, but you could also try a threading file to get it
 
jonnymac44 said:
Tim,
I really like this design.:thumbup: I don't know what to tell you about the notches, or jimping on the spine. I've wanted to experiment with it myself, but I'm not sure if the set of small files I have would do a good job or not. As a beginner myself I haven't been able to explore all the areas of making that I want to just yet:D, but I think the knife would look good with some jimping on the spine, although I think it would be more functional if it was farther back toward the front end of the handle. Where you have it drawn in right now is too far out in my opinion.

Can't wait to see more:thumbup:
Click to expand...


I've got pretty big hands and thats pretty much where my thumb comfortably sits when i hold it and choke up. but yeah in general is could probably stand to move up a bit.

Tim.
 
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unky_gumbi said:
I like the looks of it. As for the handle, I know its all up to you but when I look at the shape of the knife as a whole I see two different handle materials combined. A dark nicely (read heavily) figured wood above the line and black textured G10 below the line. Not sure if I would be willing to give something like that a go with my current skill level, but would it ever look sweet to my eye that way. I think the gimping suits the knife design nicely too, if you can do it, go for it.

They do make special files to do the gimping, but you could also try a threading file to get it
Click to expand...

Sounds interesting, i don't have any g10 that's all. On the underside of that line i was going to score a checker pattern grip in with a dremel or something and maybe rub black paint/stain into the lines for contrast.

Tim.
 
What kind of steel are you using?

As for the gimping, I tried it on my 2nd and 3rd knives, and although my lines are straight, the spacing is almost impossible to keep consistent without the proper tools/jigs. I used diamond files from Harbor Freight, the little ones (can't remember if they were jeweler files, or chainsaw files).
 
Emphasiski said:
What kind of steel are you using?

As for the gimping, I tried it on my 2nd and 3rd knives, and although my lines are straight, the spacing is almost impossible to keep consistent without the proper tools/jigs. I used diamond files from Harbor Freight, the little ones (can't remember if they were jeweler files, or chainsaw files).
Click to expand...

I've got the steel listed up top in the specs. It's RWL-34 Stainless. I have tried the jimping before on a KSO. I just used a hack saw then have the grooves a sand. I got the spacing pretty good. My depth just varied a little :D
 
If you can pick up a checkering file for the jimping I would go ahead with it. Without a file like that it's pretty tough to get consistent peaks/valleys. My favorite jimpings have all been cut with checkering files...
 
It's the weekend! So much time to work on my knife. :D Here's the latest update and ill keep updating during the day as i reach the next step.


Shape roughly cut out with angle grinder.
31692774.jpg
Cleaned up a bit with angle grinder.
26480483.jpg


Cleaned up on sander and starting a bit of fine tuning with a file.
72603488.jpg
Look at my gnarled fingers, I'm not even 20! haha

All cleaned up ready for a bevel.
46168808.jpg



I'm really happy with the shape and feel so far. It fits my hand like a glove. It's grown a tiny bit in breadth and length from the template but i don't mind. Anyway, I'm going to get back to it. More soon.

Tim.
 
Word of advice!!! NOW MAKE YOUR PATTERN. Often the real deal is a tad off from paper patterns and I then make repeat patterns from what you have in that last picture. I scratch the shape in plex by tracing your blank.

Good looking knife!!
 
Lookin' good, Tim:thumbup: I'm liking the profile very much. You did a good job shaping all of those curves.

Looking forward to more updates...
 
blgoode said:
Word of advice!!! NOW MAKE YOUR PATTERN. Often the real deal is a tad off from paper patterns and I then make repeat patterns from what you have in that last picture. I scratch the shape in plex by tracing your blank.

Good looking knife!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice and compliment. I'll have to remember that for next time.

jonnymac44 said:
Lookin' good, Tim:thumbup: I'm liking the profile very much. You did a good job shaping all of those curves.

Looking forward to more updates...
Click to expand...

Thanks Jonny!

Ok, here's the latest.

Ground in most of the bevel on the belt sander. Bigger than what most makers use i would say (150mm nearly 6" wide).
94881043.jpg


Finished the bevel off with a file.
30140981.jpg


Now to sand it up (currently at 220grit)
59049168y.jpg
Excuse my feet.

I'm thinking i wont do the jimping on this one because i would have to wait for the file to get shipped and im not a very patient person (what am i doing making knives then, i know). I've still ordered one anyway so maybe next time. :thumbup:

Probably be ready for heat treat by the end of the day! More to come.

Tim.
 
No patience? You got more patience than I had around my third knife! Nice work with the files and sandpaper cleaning the bevels up. You don't have to have a belt grinder, but they sure do make life easier, and of course you can screw up faster too.

Love the design, one suggestion, drill a bunch of large holes in the tange to lighten and ballance it, just leave enough metal for a strong tange.

Looking good, just make sure you show use the finished product.
 
Will52100 said:
No patience? You got more patience than I had around my third knife! Nice work with the files and sandpaper cleaning the bevels up. You don't have to have a belt grinder, but they sure do make life easier, and of course you can screw up faster too.

Love the design, one suggestion, drill a bunch of large holes in the tange to lighten and ballance it, just leave enough metal for a strong tange.

Looking good, just make sure you show use the finished product.
Click to expand...


Thanks Will, i did drill some holes like you said.

I'm pretty much done now until i can get it heat treated i think. It's sanded up to 600 and I've got my pins, lanyard and weight reduction holes drilled. I also decided to taper the tang a bit, i'd sen it on other custom knives and though ti was pretty cool. It's a only a small taper from 3.5mm at the top to 2.5 at the bottom.

Now i just need to decide on a timber. I'll post some pictures below of a few options. Any feedback to what people like best will be appreciated.

All ready for HT i think
73107248.jpg


Handle options:
Stripey Kweeler -
38146424.jpg

Murray river red gum -
89760537.jpg

Australian Jarrah -
21198546.jpg

Unidentified Australian hardwood -
24835040.jpg
likely to be spotted gum or some similar eucalypt.
Wenge -
87015551.jpg

Got sick of cutting that shape out but heres 3 more options. From top to bottom Euro Beech, Rock maple, Figured QLD Maple.
78625704.jpg


Oh, i have some walnut too that i forgot to take a picture of. It's good working for a furniture maker, plenty of knife handle sized off cuts :D.

Looking forward to your feedback,
Tim.

P.S I bought a membership but it hasn't changed me to a member yet. How long does it take?
 
You might need to go into your User CP and change it... Can't remember the area you change it in but it should be pretty straight forward.
 
Tiiiiimm
Got to the top and click usercp,the on left side down aways you will see Group Memberships. click that and it will bring up a page to let you set your knifemaker satus.

And i vote for the wenge.
Stan
 
SBuzek said:
Tiiiiimm
Got to the top and click usercp,the on left side down aways you will see Group Memberships. click that and it will bring up a page to let you set your knifemaker satus.

And i vote for the wenge.
Stan
Click to expand...

Thanks Stan but im not seeing anywhere that says group memberships. Maybe i have to wait until my money goes through or something? do i get a comfirmation email apart from paypal saying im a member?
 
Don't know about a confirm e-mail but do have to wait till funds clear.Maybe being down unser slows it down.
Stan
 
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