"BK151" Trailing Point Camp Paring Knife - Update: Piggyback 710 Comes Through!

Thanks again, guys.
I'm really enjoying this one.

It's one of my few projects where the outcome has actually met the design expectation I set up in my head.
I just hope I can continue the trend with the scales and final finish.
 
The branch I set aside wasn't quite as big around (after debarking) as I had hoped. But if I'm REALLY careful I think I can pull off 3 sets of scales. Worse come to worse, I guess I could work a little handle magic on the forthcoming 5 to make it all fit.

All 6 of these are from the same branch. One end was really gray - the other still quite yellow.


To keep it flat, and big enough, I won't be able to put the book-matched ends out, but I can't see both sides of a knife at the same time so I think it'll be okay.
 
Looking real good TJ! I am really liking how this blade is turning out. Nice job and thanks for the inspiration! Might have to do some grinding to one of my 11's now. haha

It's gonna look great once you finish the scales. Can't wait. :thumbup:
 
Dexwithers said:
Looking real good TJ! I am really liking how this blade is turning out. Nice job and thanks for the inspiration! Might have to do some grinding to one of my 11's now. haha

It's gonna look great once you finish the scales. Can't wait. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I don't know if you can spare one ;).
 
I'd be scared to cut into a nice SanMai blade. But then, you've shown your obvious skill with think like the kitchen 16. So you should have nothing to fear.

I, on the other had, just got through with the initial blade prep, taking off the tooling marks and scale or whatever is left behind after the coating comes off:







Don't know that I'm going to take it to full mirror because I'm not going to leave it shiny. But I will at least put some time into getting it even.

Scales and liners are clamped and curing. Hopefully initial pics tomorrow.

I do want to note, the first couple times I used my brand new 11 I thought the handle felt small, and the blade wide. Is was certainly usable, but didn't feel as "right" as my 24, 16, or FF KE Bushie. Last night, I used my new 15 without scales for most of the debarking. A couple fingers started to feel hot spots. I switched to the trainling-point, choiled "151" 11 mod - and it felt like an extension of my hand. It's still just a 3 finger knife, but they all have a place to go and it just melts into my palm. Truly, it's the first knife I've felt I could keep and use without scales. But I'm going to make some thin ones anyway, just to see if I can make it even better.

Thanks for looking.

- Tom
 
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That looks GREAT, Tom. Scaled with your own wood...killer. Thanks again for starting this project...it really did inspire me to start my own mod and gave me that little psychological "push" to act on that inspiration.
 
My first successful mirror-ish finish:



Got the scales roughed out last night:




Took Daizee's advise and taped up the nearly-finished blade, and started some shaping of the scales today:



 
They tell me it's an elm. Sorry it came out so overexposed. I have kind of a crap camera because I keep pouring that budget into knives.
I'll play with it when it gets a little closer and see if I can show some of the grain. They are pretty light, though.
 
Got the scales roughly shaped out. Cleaned the dust off with mineral spirits to expose the grain a bit.
I think I'm going to need to get creative on the hex nuts - not a lot of purchase left there.
Otherwise, I'm pretty happy - but there's still a couple hours work left to get the finish there.





 
Figured out the nuts issue - used some threaded inserts.

Was it Daizee who said to use a slack belt for scales instead of a sanding drum? Words of wisdom from a bonafide Beckerhead genius.

Just a little final finishing remains now.








 
Thanks Nathan.
I'm planning to take 'em to 800 grit. I'm thinking of Tung Oil, but considering BLO. I also have mineral oil and beeswax, so will likely end up with that over the top.
 
I'm torn.
I really like the look of dark, reddish scales (bubinga, bloodwood, some cocobolo, etc.) But I was planning the keep these au naturel. I do like the grain pattern as exemplified in the 2nd and 5th pics in Post 54 above.

Should I take a chance and stain 'em, or leave 'em light as nature intended?
(Yes, I do realize if I really wanted a dark red wood, I should have got some. But this was a branch from a local tree, and I really wanted to try it out. And there a no bubinga trees in my neighborhood...)
 
Looking good TJ!

I'd probably leave it natural. It will darken up a little once you apply the finish.
 
Thanks guys. I think you're right.
Maybe I should rub a little neatsfoot oil on there, and let it sit in the sun a bit, before applying the polymerizing stuff. Works a treat on leather...
 
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