Beauty is in the eye...

Parke1

Parke1

Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
1,862
... of the beholder.


Hey all, I spent about 12 hours in the garage this weekend, and I successfully made my first knife.

Here are the specs:
I started with a 3/16"X2"x9" bar of 1095 purchased off ebay. I sketched out a blade pattern with a sharpie and cut it out using a bench grinder, angle grinder with cutoff wheel, and rotary tool. Once I roughed it out, I put 10 degree primary bevels on the bottom half of the blade using a home-built disc sander. I then drilled my two 3/32" holes for my scale pins (coat hanger, anyone?).

Once I had the pin holes drilled I normalized the blade (I think that's the right term) by bringing it up just past non-magnetic and letting it cool to room temperature in still air. I did this using a Mapp gas/oxygen torch.

After cooling I scrubbed off the blade and it was time for the HT. I heated up the blade in my home-built coal forge (thanks for the blower, PimpinSquee).

3coalforge.jpg


I preheated my quenchant (old ATF) by heating up an old hunk of rebar to a dull red and dropping her in. Once the blade was a nice cherry red and thoroughly non-magnetic, I edge-quenched it in the ATF, with only one small little flame. The blade was out of the heat and into the oil in less than one second.

5hotblade.jpg


I checked the hardness with a file, and she skated right off! HOLY CRAP! I DID IT! I then tempered the blade for three one-hour periods at 425 degrees in my oven. It's a good thing I'm not getting married for a few months yet...

I was going to polish the blade, but I really really like how it looked after the tempering, so I just left it alone. I ground the final bevels at 20 degrees, sharpened it on my sharpmaker, and I can pop hairs off my forearm.

For the scales, which I know kind of look crappy, I used a hunk of Walnut that came from my grandpa's workshop right before he died. I just roughed out the shape, epoxied and pinned them on. I left the wood exactly as I found it on the grip surfaces. That's how I wanted it, and it reminds me of him.

Well, here she is:

final.jpg


I still have to finish grinding down the ends of the pins, you can see shadows next to them in the picture. She might look like junk to some of you, but I think I'm in love...

Thanks to everyone here for all your advice and help. I don't post all that much, but I read just about every word each of you says. I couldn't have done it without you.

Now, whaddya think?

-Parke1
 
Looks like you know what your doing. I need to find the time to start making my own again.
 
You know, there's something appealing about simplicity. And the fact that you wanted to leave things as they were, is a great tribute to your Grandpa.
That alone makes your knife priceless.

As for the workmanship, sounds like you created a functional knife that you can be proud of. I think it looks great.

Good job!
 
great job man. im glad to finally see the pics of your forge. my old blower looks so sexy on there. you did a fantastic job on it. did you add a switch to it? cant wait to see what other knives you pull out of that forge. some advice that was given to me was take that knife and lock it up in a drawer to be viewed at a later date to compare it to the knives your making then. congrats on your first knife. keep it up. has the bug bitten you and not let go yet? HEHEHEHE!!!!!
 
Great knife bro! How does it perform? Looks like it could take some hard use. Way to go.

My sig line should be "where's the sheath?"
 
Go to the hardware store and buy some 3/8 " cheap hemp rope and test cutting against other things in the house, you will be very proud. Its lost of fun to see how much you can cut.
 
Parke1 said:
...I then drilled my two 3/32" holes for my scale pins (coat hanger, anyone?).
Click to expand...

Mild steel rod from the hardware store is dirt cheap and much stronger.

Parke1 said:
I was going to polish the blade, but I really really like how it looked after the tempering, so I just left it alone.
Click to expand...

I'm with you man, I love that raw/hardcore/rustic look.

Parke1 said:
For the scales, which I know kind of look crappy, I used a hunk of Walnut that came from my grandpa's workshop right before he died. I just roughed out the shape, epoxied and pinned them on. I left the wood exactly as I found it on the grip surfaces. That's how I wanted it, and it reminds me of him.
Click to expand...

I know my gramps would like that, and I bet yours does too. That's a great tribute. :thumbup:

Parke1 said:
Now, whaddya think?

-Parke1
Click to expand...

Like everyone else, I think you've got a damn fine knife for yourself, for many reasons. I also think you should keep making more, because it looks to me like you understand what you're doing. Not just how you built it, but why.
 
Good job.
In the future, make your tang holes about 1.5 times the size of the pins ( you want some wiggle room), and use larger pins,too. 1/8" minimum, 3/16" is better. A brass or steel bolt will do fine as a cheap pin. The threads make it hold real tight to the epoxy.
The rough texture is called "Brute De Forge" , which is french for, "I left it beat up 'cuse it looked cool." I like it on beaters and camp knives. It will look a little better if you carry the clean up grind up the primary bevel (about one third to half way up the blade). That really shows the contrast of the rough texture to the ground steel.
Stacy
 
I think that is fantastic..and I particularly like the significance of the handle! You done good!
 
I think that first photo of your forge is something they should post here so that new guys can see what it all should look like when they make their own!

It's a simple design that works like a charm...all a guy would ever need to make a knife on....
The design is not heavy to lift, does not take up much space..is the correct hight off the ground, and is more than strong enough to handle the heat of the fire...
 
Thanks for all the compliments and kind words, everyone.

Yeah, I definitely plan on using larger diameter pins next time. I would have on this one, but I didn't have anything on hand, and money is pretty tight these days as I save money for my upcoming wedding. July 7th is coming up pretty fast, though, and money will be more plentiful after that.

I still may polish the primary bevels on this piece. I'm not real sure yet, but we shall see.

Yes, PS, the bug has bitten me. I already have my next two blades roughed out. They're going to be full-bellied skinning knives, I think. We'll see.

Thanks again everyone!
-Parke1
 
I love it when a forged knife embraces the marks, imperfections, and uniqueness that is part of forging. Looks like a great knife, wonderful tribute, and a good user.

Thanks for sharing.

Charles
 
I'm hoping to find a few select steel rods in my stash that I can use to make a pair of tongs soon. I've been using long needle nose pliers (about 18" long) to hold the steel in the forge, but they don't really seem to be cutting it. I need something with a little longer reach, and a touch more solid grab to them.


Thanks again for the compliments!

Oh, also, anyone know where I can get some antlers? I really want to use them for the handles on the two skinners that I'm going to start working on soon.

Thanks!
-Parke1
 
:thumbup: nice work. Looks wayyyyyy better than my first knife.

and a quick newbie question: can I re- quench a knife ? I crapped up the ht and its soft. Files dig into it and the edge keeps getting jagged :(
 
Great first one! I also highly recommend that you not ever part with that knife. My very first knives were made on the job for work "on the job" for my fellow co-workers, so I really never could keep the first ones. When I began making them at home, I traded my first knife made there for a little marlin .22 with a scope. I've had a lot of fun with my little plinker gun, but really wish I had that first one back. I had hand scraped the finish on that knife like you would hand scrape the ways on a machine tool. It was a great finish and took many hours to get it just right. It also had walnut handle scales pinned with a coat hanger. I've regretted letting that knife go for the last 18 years! Keep that first one, as it is a priceless treasure.
 
Very slick for a first :thumbup: knife. They only get better from here on (Sometimes :D )
 
Nice!...and you didn't talk about doing it for a month before you did it. Simply amazing :)
 
bladsmth said:
In the future, make your tang holes about 1.5 times the size of the pins ( you want some wiggle room), and use larger pins,too. 1/8" minimum, 3/16" is better.
Stacy
Click to expand...

I like 3/2" pins for looks, but if it makes that much of a difference in strength I'll step up to 3/16".

scottickes said:
Great first one! I also highly recommend that you not ever part with that knife. ... Keep that first one, as it is a priceless treasure.
Click to expand...

Absolutely, also something of a family heirloom.
 
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