A "Talon" knife for my sister

tryppyr

tryppyr

Joined
Feb 5, 2010
Messages
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In another thread I mentioned that my sister requested a "talon" knife. I interpret that as a karambit without the finger hole. So I drew up the design on a piece of damascus, and she approved it. Today I cut out the blank.

Talon01.jpg


Then I asked her what color handle she want. Of the colors offered, two came from a box I received today from Texas Knifemaker... and she selected the watermelon PolyPearl.

Talon02.jpg


The next trick will be to figure out how to grind the bevels on this thing.
 
You can use a flexible 2" belt and run it over the edge of the wheel or platen or build up the center of the wheel to about 1/4" by wrapping with 1" masking tape. Yes you will now need 1" belts or make them from 2". You start the split where the belt lap or joint is and then tear. I like using the built up wheel the most. I have one on Custom knife Gallery of Colorado
Frank
 
gonna follow this build, looking forewards to seeing it in progress and finished.

Did your sister say why she specifically wants a talon knife?
 
Frank, thanks for the suggestion. Not sure I have the right wheels on my grinder to pull that off, but I'll look into it.

Phil, I cut triangles off the billet with the band saw, then used the grinder to smooth out the curves on the top, and a round file to cut in the finger slots.

Hengelo, my sister didn't say why she wanted it (or how she wants to carry it). Not even sure where she became aware of this type of knife. Might be that a friend of hers had one and she took a shine to it.
 
If you are using an 8",even 6", or larger the tape thing should work .
I wish you well.
Frank
 
Finally got back in the shop today. I spent some time with files trying to cut in the bevel. I did a reasonably good job with the plunge, but I noticed that the bevels were badly concaved and had some dips, so I bit the bullet and went to the grinder. It came through the first phase of grinding better than I anticipated, given the awkward size and shape of the blade.

DSCN9755s.JPG
 
The last few days have been warm in Houston, so I haven't had much time in the shop. I did manage to hand sand the blade up to 320 grit in preparation for heat treatment. I also drilled the holes for the handle mount pins, and cut the coarse outline of the scales, and drilled the pin holes into the scales. So all in all I am making progress.

Talon7s.JPG


Talon8s.JPG
 
Today I finished the hand sanding to 2000 grit and marking of the blade. Still to be done, sharpening, etching, handle shaping/polishing and final assembly. I'm hoping to finish the project this weekend.

What may not be obvious from the images is the fact that I rounded off the top of the blade. This is, after all, a talon knife, and talons have rounded tops. ;)

Talon11s.jpg


Talon12s.jpg
 
Before the heat of the day set in for real, I managed to sharpen the blade, etch it, and get the handle much closer to the final shape and size. Then I rubbed a little butcher block conditioner on the handle so I could get a glimpse of what it will ultimately look like. I'm pleased.

From here out it will be all hand sanding and final assembly.

Talon13.jpg


Talon14s.jpg


Talon16s.jpg
 
Finished the knife this morning.
Talon18s.jpg

Talon19s.jpg


Last night I asked my sister if she wanted a sheath. Of course she said yes. I asked how she wanted to carry, and she said on her hip... so then I asked if she usually wore a belt... and she doesn't. So now I'm thinking maybe a kydex sheath with a clip that can attach to jeans even without a belt

This morning I ordered some kydex materials from Texas Knife Maker Supply.
 
This works well, it can be worn inside or outside pants with or with or without belt.

lChkqug.jpg
 
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