Anyone want to help? First knife.

5

505Fire

Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Messages
12
Ok so this is the first knife I have ever built. This was actually something my older brother started about 20 years ago. He got the basic blade shap down but the just rough profiled the edge on a bench grinder. I took the files to it and flattened the blade out as best as I could by draw filing it. Then I filed off the edge that he had put on it to give a flat edge to start with. Also the handle was short so I cut the back side of the blade to give it a full length handle. I used an angle grinder to cut it since I didn't have a hacksaw at the time. I then scribed a line across the blade because I like the way it looks better if the bevel doesn't go though the spine. Then I filed the bevels and the. Draw filed them to get them flat. Now I'm here. Any recommendations? I really have no idea what I'm doing. I left the edge about a dime thick an I have only done the bevels on one side. Anyone see anything I'm doing wrong or could improve?
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Have no clue. From what i have read most places won't heat treat unless you know your steel. So I may attempt to heat treat it in a friends propane forge. Is there anything I should do at the start of the blade? The plunge I think it's called.
 
You could do a basic torch and magnet heat treat and oil quench its kind of a shot in the dark not knowing what steel it is but it'll work. Heat it up til it's a good bright red and grab your magnet soon as it starts drawing to the blade quench it in oil like I said its not a sure bet but it'll work maybe a one of the more experienced heat treating guys can give you a more detailed description. Knife is looking good keep at it and good luck
 
Where did you get your steel?? That might give us a clue as to what it is. But it will just be a clue.
 
Robert Carter said:
You could do a basic torch and magnet heat treat and oil quench its kind of a shot in the dark not knowing what steel it is but it'll work. Heat it up till it's a good bright red and grab your magnet soon as it starts drawing to the blade quench it in oil like I said its not a sure bet but it'll work maybe a one of the more experienced heat treating guys can give you a more detailed description. Knife is looking good keep at it and good luck
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The part in red is wrong.....it should say:
Heat the blade slowly to a red color, and when the blade stops being attracted to the magnet, heat a little redder. Then quickly quench in canola oil.
 
If you would like, send it to me and I'll heat treat it for you. I can't guarantee good results since you're not sure what the steel type is but I'll give it my best. I normally charge for this but since it is your first knife I'll do it for free. I'll also send you a piece of blade steel to make another one with when I send it back. All I ask is that you pay for return shipping. Welcome to the craft.
 
I'd say thats a great start for a first knife. And if the heat treat isn't perfect, no sweat. My first knives ares still kicking around the shop, unhardened, improperly constructed, and borderline useless. But they got me started, and thats the only thing that matters. Keep it up!
 
darrin sanders said:
If you would like, send it to me and I'll heat treat it for you. I can't guarantee good results since you're not sure what the steel type is but I'll give it my best. I normally charge for this but since it is your first knife I'll do it for free. I'll also send you a piece of blade steel to make another one with when I send it back. All I ask is that you pay for return shipping. Welcome to the craft.
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Great Offer, I would take Darrin up on it!
 
Wow guys thanks. I have to say this forum is amazing with how helpful everyone is. Darrin that is awesome thank you. I will definitely take you up on that offer when I get this thing done! If you have anything that you need a kydex holster or sheath for let me know I would be happy to make one for you in exchange!
 
You're welcome, and thanks for the offer on the sheath. I may just take you up on it. Email me when its ready.
 
Really nice job for your first blade, and great job recovering and improving on what your brother did. You should be proud of your efforts ;-)

You asked for advice, and only one thing stands out as "required" from what I think I see in the pictures. I would radius the transition from the tang into the ricasso of the blade. The sharp edges there can lead to cracking, either in the quench or later during hard use.

Carry on, great beginnings to your new hobby.
 
Let me double check what you mean since I'm still trying to get the lingo down. So you mean the handle(tang) where it meets the back of the blade(ricasso) how it is a 90* angle I should round that? Could you possibly show me am example of what it should look like? Thank you!
 
stevomiller said:
Really nice job for your first blade, and great job recovering and improving on what your brother did. You should be proud of your efforts ;-)

You asked for advice, and only one thing stands out as "required" from what I think I see in the pictures. I would radius the transition from the tang into the ricasso of the blade. The sharp edges there can lead to cracking, either in the quench or later during hard use.

Carry on, great beginnings to your new hobby.
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I was also going to comment on the relatively square corners where the hidden tang meets the ricasso. Also, the hidden tang portion of the handle is too rectanglar (in my opininon) and can be tapered a bit, where it is smaller near the rear of the knife.

Here's a random photo taken from the internet that might give you an idea about both "issues".

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Good luck,

Mike LoGiudice
 
That's perfect thank you. That is what I thought you meant. Nice to see a picture. Once again thank you everyone.
 
As long as you have a slight radius and no sharp angles you'll be fine. I always like to have the size of the Ricasso match the size of the front of the handle. This allows the lines of the knife to "flow" better.
 
Getting closer
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Flattened out the belly of the blade a bit took out the poorly formed false edge and rounded the area between the ricasso and handle like you suggested.
 
Should I put a false edge on it? I like the way they look. It's a very thick blade. If so what angle should the false edge be?
 
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