BIG One

P. McKinley

P. McKinley

Joined
Jan 27, 2008
Messages
2,010
This is my design of a khukri. I didn't give myself a simple task!! It is the first knife I have made that's completely from scratch, including the heat treat, using only the minimal tools at my disposal. This is also the first time I have ground in bevels, and the second attempt at file working. The blade shaping and bevel grinding was done on a 1/30" belt grinder and various sanding wheels on a drill press. The heat treat was done at the Canadian Coast Guard College's Mechanical Engineering school, tempering was done in an oven at the college's kitchen.

Total overall length is 16 3/4 inches
Blade: 11 1/4" sharp edge, 3/16 O1 steel, stock removal, file worked spine and handle. Hand sanded to 800 grit.
Handle: Figured Bubinga with black fiber liners and hand turned ebony pins, tung oil and buffed carnuba wax finish.

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Thanks for looking. Comments and critique is always welcome
 
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Keith and Kevin - Thank you!

I learned a great deal from this project.....

-I learned that cleaning epoxy out file work is a PITA.
-I learned that hand turning ebony pins on a 1x30" belt sander is also a PITA.
-I learned that getting the bevels to line up perfectly at the blade tip is not as easy as some of the pros here make it look.
-I learned that I need Scotch Brite belts and pads to really make the steel's satin finish look right.
-I learned that 1475 degrees is friggin' HOT and quickly burns skin through firefighter's gloves.
-I learned that there MUST be a better/easier way to clean off the black coating after quenching.... there just has to be.
-I learned that grinding jigs are invaluable to a novice like me..... or possibly just me.
-I learned that grinding bevels in a re-curve blade is an exercise in pure frustration.

All in all though I'm quite proud of how this came out and wouldn't hesitate to do another. Now its on to the sheath/scabbard for lots more fun and learning.
 
Steinerj - Yup, that'll do it!!

The Coast Guard College has a sand blasting machine, and I thought of using it for that purpose, but.......

Is there not some sort of solvent that does the trick as well? One the other hand, as I began sanding off the black coating I began to reveal a not-all-so-bad pattern of coloration on the blade. At one point I considered leaving that pattern on the finished blade.
 
Bigblue17 said:
Steinerj - Yup, that'll do it!!

The Coast Guard College has a sand blasting machine, and I thought of using it for that purpose, but.......

Is there not some sort of solvent that does the trick as well? One the other hand, as I began sanding off the black coating I began to reveal a not-all-so-bad pattern of coloration on the blade. At one point I considered leaving that pattern on the finished blade.
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Very nice knife! Well done.

I don't work with O1 but I do with 5160. After quenching I clean the blade with hot soapy water, then let it sit a bit in some vinegar. Then I rub the blade down with an abrasive pad similar to Scotchbrite. But I do like an "as forged" finish, not highly polished.

Andy
 
Another you say?

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=658037

Let me know if you can do this. With previously stated materials and size. Most recent design edits are on page 2.

Regards,
Chas
cbinvb@gmailcom
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Chas - I am not a pro knife maker, never sold one, never been asked. As much as I would aspire to that level, I'm a rank amateur with much to learn. I appreciate the confidence you show by asking, but I'll have to decline at this point.

Andy - Thank you.
I've read that some people quench O1 in vegetable oil rather than motor oil.... would that option make a difference in the amount of clean up after the quench?
 
Bigblue17 said:
Andy - Thank you.
I've read that some people quench O1 in vegetable oil rather than motor oil.... would that option make a difference in the amount of clean up after the quench?
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I've quenched in peanut oil and motor oil, I don't think it makes an appreciable difference. I triple quench, so there's always some scale to clean off.

Andy
 
If I may, I would suggest rounding off the handles some more. I think that will make it more comfortable to use for any period of time.
 
Mike L. said:
If I may, I would suggest rounding off the handles some more. I think that will make it more comfortable to use for any period of time.
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I'm currently considering just that Mike. However, its very hard for me to alter a design I've had in my head forever and spent soooo much time building to that image. And now that its fully completed, the idea of "tearing it apart" is causing me serious gastric distress.

I do, though, understand the reason why I should do the dirty deed.

Decisions, decisions, decisions..........
 
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