Baby Bola...a few firsts for me.

J. Neilson

J. Neilson

Joined
Feb 6, 2001
Messages
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There were a few new things I wanted to try that I hadn't yet so I figured it was time to make myself a new knife. This is a new design for me, I've done alot of large Bola knives but, I wanted to try a smaller version. This was also my first time trying motorcycle chain for damascus (I think I spread the pattern too thin but, I like it...thank you for the chain Bob A.), my first mortised tang handle and my first time making a knife this size, this light. I wanted a thin, light, easy to manage EDC piece.

This Baby Bola knife has a 4 7/8" long blade with a bit of "rope" file work on it and a thickness of 5/32". The overall length is 9 1/4". The guard and pins are stainless steel. The handle is Desert Ironwood Burl with a throat of stabilized Buffalo horn, Denim Lapis and a black spacer. The total weight of the knife is only 4 oz.

Tess made me a clip sheath (since I don't wear a belt normally) but, I think she's going to do another so I can try making my own clip. Got the bug to try that after talking to Bruce E. and reviewing his tutotial on Dan Greys "how to" page...another first. ;)

Let me know what you think.
 
Thanks guys. With the chain, I just welded four pieces to a stick and presses it out, folding it once. I've got a canister already made up to try that way. I modifed the can thinner so there's going to be three pieces of chain, one right on top of the other. There's almost no room around the chain, just be filling in-between links with powder. I'm hoping to do that one this week. The Ohio hammer-in is coming up quick.
 
Thanks for the info!

I have a nice old chain that I found on the roof of my mom's neighbor's garage....it had been up there baking in the sun for over a year. I also have a bunch of machine drive chain......and I wasn't sure if I wanted to weld it up in a can or forge it out.

Hmmmm.....
 
Ok, thanks to the very helpful Bruce Evans, I've made my first home-made belt clip from bandsaw steel and have a few more in reserve. Bruce has a great tutorial on Dan Gray's "How-to" site. Boy, these things are a hell of alot stonger than the catalog clips and I can start making "fancy" clips now, too. Since I'm not the belt wearing type, I'm very pleased with this new skill. Of course, as a side effect, Bruce has me making all kinds of paring/kitchen knives and primitive patch knives from bandsaw steel. Ol' Bruce has alot of good ideas in his head. Thanks again my friend!
 
J - do you mean "bolo"?

bola is a ball (or rock) tied to a string...three of them held together = bolas - used for hunting small game.

bolo is a traditional phillipino knife with a gradually swelling belly (but not necessarily drop point). Length varies (just like with khukuris).


Don't take my comment as criticism - I really like what you've done, J. And, of course, the knife looks flawless.
 
J. Neilson said:
Tess made me a clip sheath (since I don't wear a belt normally) but, I think she's going to do another so I can try making my own clip. Got the bug to try that after talking to Bruce E. and reviewing his tutotial on Dan Greys "how to" page...another first. ;)

Let me know what you think.
Click to expand...

what I think is, I'm glad to see later you got my name spelled right :rolleyes:

haha nice job to the both of you.. :D
 
Thanks guys.

Daniel, I've seen it spelled both ways so I just went with what I had up first, whether it's right or wrong...I don't know. :confused:

Dan, I don't want to hear it. You know how many time's I've gotten called JAY! :rolleyes:
 
J. Neilson said:
Thanks guys.

Daniel, I've seen it spelled both ways so I just went with what I had up first, whether it's right or wrong...I don't know. :confused:

Dan, I don't want to hear it. You know how many time's I've gotten called JAY! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...


but I know it's J :D pay someone else back :D
 
Hey now that's a real beauty!

I really like knives with that blade design and length. For me that is a very useful blade length for a skinner type knife. Awesome overall package you made there.

Sean
 
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