Basic forged 5160 woods knife

Robert.B

Robert.B

Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Messages
5,283
Ok I got bored (laid off from work a couple weeks ago) and decided to make a basic knife from 5160 that can be touched up easily with just a river rock or any gritty surface, can slice well and do basic chopping. I wanted it to have a primal look to it so left it in hammer finish, came out pretty decent I think and was outside toying around and batoned it through a 2.5" piece of wood to make some kindling. The cord wrap is standard 550 paracord with internals intact, I used around 6' knotted around it so it can be undone for survival purposes.

Blade length: 4 2/8"
Blade thickness: 3/16 at top of cord wrap (slightly thicker under the cord)
Overall: 8"

DSCF5821.jpg


DSCF5818.jpg


Let me know what you think :)
 
Looks like a handy knife! That one would make a great skinner with all that belly.

I love the forge finish:thumbup:

Bruce
 
Hey I love that one buddy, very cool !!!!!;):thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
I think that one looks fantastic! Love the rustic look and I think it will be a great woods/all purpose knife! Well done!
 
I like it a lot! But why'd you knock the corner off of the bottom of the edge? Did you just like it better that way?
 
I love the forge finish! I like my knives to be rustic. 5160 is one of my favorite steels. My Bowie, woods knife and small EDC blade are all forged 5160.

Nice design! A constant curve to the edge comes in very handy.
 
Thanks a lot guys for the feedback, slowly practicing my hammer work to eventually go full time...done a fair bit of stock removal (i'm a machinist so its something I already know) but its quite enjoyable this way.

Frostyfingers said:
I like it a lot! But why'd you knock the corner off of the bottom of the edge? Did you just like it better that way?
Click to expand...

Pretty much just liked it that way...and wanted a relief there for the rolling edge I had in mind, sought of like an ulu but with a handle.
 
DSCF5826.jpg


DSCF5825.jpg


couple more pics, heres splitting a piece of green hardwood...hit a knot going through with no ill effect to the blade. :)
 
Nice hammer work.... looks like a heckuva user.

Could you tell us a little about your heat treat process, including forging?

Rick
 
Great looking peice :thumbup::thumbup:, I love the finish, and it looks even beefier batoned into that log :D

Nice work!
 
Thanks guys for the comments :D

Magnussen said:
Nice hammer work.... looks like a heckuva user.

Could you tell us a little about your heat treat process, including forging?

Rick
Click to expand...

I used solely charcoal to forge it, double quenched at non-magnetic point and then tempered back slightly in the oven until straw color was achieved...nothing fancy and about as primal as you can get compared to others heat treating methods, i have been playing with a few different methods that I have read about to find what works for me using 5160.

Will not begin selling until I have a propane forge in action and a salt bath for tempering. So for now everything I do is practice and learning, it isnt easy forging a blade with a good distal taper and profile while keeping it nice and straight and I want to sell users in a forge finish (not into making perfect art knives that sit in a safe).
 
Wow - great looking blade. I really like how you squared/cut off the end of the blade nearest the handle. Looks awesome!
 
Robert.B said:
I used solely charcoal to forge it, double quenched at non-magnetic point and then tempered back slightly in the oven until straw color was achieved...nothing fancy and about as primal as you can get compared to others heat treating methods, i have been playing with a few different methods that I have read about to find what works for me using 5160.

Will not begin selling until I have a propane forge in action and a salt bath for tempering. So for now everything I do is practice and learning, it isnt easy forging a blade with a good distal taper and profile while keeping it nice and straight and I want to sell users in a forge finish (not into making perfect art knives that sit in a safe).
Click to expand...


Good stuff.... aren't ALL knives users?:D

Salt baths are excellent but very hazardous (Kevin C. will attest to that)... keep doing what you are doing and learn heat treat from the ground up, bro. Then get equipment to make life easier. (ie. controlled oven.... proper quench tank)

I am big fan of the rough forge finish and you pull it off well. Thanks for showing your work off..... keep em coming!:thumbup:


Rick
 
very nice robert. really like that rustic finish. with ya on the art knife/safe queen thing. just dont do it for me. but most here on wss actually use their knives, even if they "collect" em at the same time. looking forward to seeing more.
 
Magnussen said:
Good stuff.... aren't ALL knives users?:D

Salt baths are excellent but very hazardous (Kevin C. will attest to that)... keep doing what you are doing and learn heat treat from the ground up, bro. Then get equipment to make life easier. (ie. controlled oven.... proper quench tank)

I am big fan of the rough forge finish and you pull it off well. Thanks for showing your work off..... keep em coming!:thumbup:


Rick
Click to expand...

Kevin Cashen (if thats who you're referring to) gave me the words of wisdom about never selling until you have it perfected, I did my machinist trade to get my foot in the door with working steel...but you can sell a million knives and it takes one to ruin your reputation and years of hard work. His setup was what got me interested in the salt baths but haven't heard much from him since 2005. Is he on here?

I have a pile of 5160 to cut up so you will be seeing more from me in the near future...especially if I dont find another job soon! i get really bored if i'm not doing something manual through my day.

Thanks a lot for the support! it means a lot. :thumbup:
 
sadiejane said:
very nice robert. really like that rustic finish. with ya on the art knife/safe queen thing. just dont do it for me. but most here on wss actually use their knives, even if they "collect" em at the same time. looking forward to seeing more.
Click to expand...

thanks a lot! :D I like WSS because everyone on here loves to use their knives and get out there...the collectors have their place in the market, but its fun using them for what they are meant!
 
Robert.B said:
Kevin Cashen (if thats who you're referring to) gave me the words of wisdom about never selling until you have it perfected, .............. His setup was what got me interested in the salt baths but haven't heard much from him since 2005. Is he on here?
Click to expand...

Kevin is definately still around.... just start a thread titled "How do I heat treat 1095?" and he'll emerge from the shadows.... lol..... seriously though, don't post that.:barf:

He would be the first to tell you how dangerous a salt pot set up can be.... the results are outstanding though.

I practiced for about a year until I achieved consistant predictable results. I have buckets of broken blades. Every one taught me something. That's what being a good maker is really all about. Knowing yourself, your limitations, your strengths, your craft and presenting your wares, honestly without hype.

Rick
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top