A Traditional "Rag Knife"

[FortyTwoBlades]

A traditional "rag knife" made from a fatally cracked vintage scythe blade I had gotten as part of a lot. They were typically used for topping root crops, and got their name from the way the grip was usually made: wrapping the tang with rags. I used a spare reshaped billhook handle instead. The blade below the crack was cut away back to the spine, which was then bent to balance it and forged out into a rectangular tapered tang. This was then heated and burnt into the grip for a custom fit and the end of the tang peened over. Because of the spine-to-tang change in geometry a slight void was left in the top of the grip after fitting, which was filled with a tightly-driven beech wedge.

 

[Mr.Coconuts]

That looks very nice..really nice

 

[WuGod]

You have the coolest toys.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Thanks, guys! Glassy hard steel on this blade, too.

 

[carlpbrill]

That's cool. Scythes are cool too.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

A shame this blade was cracked, as I prefer to put them to work in their originally intended role, but it's good that broken blades can still find good use!