- Joined
- Mar 19, 2007
- Messages
- 7,440
Here is the knife in question:
Andy uses 01 steel primarily. He has said in the past that it is tough enough and sharpens easily so that it is a great steel for the money.
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
I used my Fiddleback Arete to carve a kiln dried and rough cut 36" Hickory haft from House Handle. I wished to have an Octagonal design and needed to take about 1/2 pound of material off the haft to get it where I wanted it.
In about 4 hours I was done. I am not saying that it was easy - or that I wouldn't have rather had a spokeshave or my crook knife - but it certainly got the job done.
Hickory, for those who have not carved or used it, is chosen because of its hardness and ability to take percussion. It does not carve easily and is stringy when carving. You need a sharp knife and a knife that will take abuse if you want to complete the project I took on.
Here is the final result after sanding, fire hardening, and coating with one layer (so far) of Boiled Linseed Oil:
When I finished - I was a little apprehensive to see what I had done to the edge. I certainly did not hold back - and I knew the edge had not rolled or chipped in any visable way... but....
I stropped it on 2000 grit sand paper - ran it over two sides of my strop.... and... well... it was not only shaving sharp - but I could not feel a single bump after running it down the edge of my nail.
Back in the sheath it went.
To me - this is a hell of a testament of what I want in a knife. Works all day - sharpens easily - doesn't bitch.
Well done Andy.
TF
Andy uses 01 steel primarily. He has said in the past that it is tough enough and sharpens easily so that it is a great steel for the money.
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
I used my Fiddleback Arete to carve a kiln dried and rough cut 36" Hickory haft from House Handle. I wished to have an Octagonal design and needed to take about 1/2 pound of material off the haft to get it where I wanted it.
In about 4 hours I was done. I am not saying that it was easy - or that I wouldn't have rather had a spokeshave or my crook knife - but it certainly got the job done.
Hickory, for those who have not carved or used it, is chosen because of its hardness and ability to take percussion. It does not carve easily and is stringy when carving. You need a sharp knife and a knife that will take abuse if you want to complete the project I took on.
Here is the final result after sanding, fire hardening, and coating with one layer (so far) of Boiled Linseed Oil:
When I finished - I was a little apprehensive to see what I had done to the edge. I certainly did not hold back - and I knew the edge had not rolled or chipped in any visable way... but....
I stropped it on 2000 grit sand paper - ran it over two sides of my strop.... and... well... it was not only shaving sharp - but I could not feel a single bump after running it down the edge of my nail.
Back in the sheath it went.
To me - this is a hell of a testament of what I want in a knife. Works all day - sharpens easily - doesn't bitch.
Well done Andy.
TF
