Blade for my uncle; need input

S

stevomiller

Joined
May 4, 2001
Messages
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Guys, one of my uncles that is the German special forces has decided to return to active duty somewhere in the middle east. I told him that I would make him a knife and I would like some input from you that have played in the sandbox. I have o-1 (3/16 and 1/4 thick) and 440c (1/8 and 3/16 thick) already at home that I can use. I was wondering what length you would have found useful, and which steel/thickness as well. I was thinking along the lines of a single edge spear point/drop point blade about 5 or 6 inches long ~ something the size of a KaBar or a little smaller. I have never performed military service, so all I can do is guess.

Thanks in advance,
Stevo
 
4" knife with a nice handle (similar to a pukkoo)...Something in Micarta (Black Linen or Green linen)

Convex the edge and send a nice thick sheath (leather or kydex)

Good luck to him!
 
Anything over 5" blade would probably not get used for much over there. At least that was my experience. And with all the required body armor and gear, the lighter the better. It (the handle) will need to be able to withstand 140 degree plus ambient temps and almost zero humidity. Horn handles don't last long in the sandbox, unless sealed very well.

SSG Sanders
 
Thanks guys! I will shoot for something with about a 4" blade. What would you want for blade width? How about thickness (like I wrote, I have from 1/8 thru 1/4"). Micarta I can get easy enough. For the sheat, should I put on the military style attachment clips, or what are your ideas on that?
 
Steve it depends a lot on what he will be doing in the service he's in and what he uses it for but I would suggest nothing over the 3/16 inch. A short 4" blade that thick could be used for some gentle prying if it's not too hard and yet hold an edge well and still be easy to sharpen, the best of all worlds IMO.:thumbup:
I'm not at all familiar with the 440C and what hardness it performs best at but the O-1 would be great around 52-55 Rc, again IMO.
 
I think you're on the right track. Make one of each (440c & O-1).

I'd go for a straight blade, hollow or flat ground at least 2/3 up the blade, with a significant false edge. Make sure to include a guard, maybe a subhilt. 4.5-5" blade sounds like the best compromise. Make it from the 3/16" stock. I use 5/32" for regular knives, but would use 3/16" for a hard-use beater. 1/4" is too much, IMHO.

Go to your local military surplus and find a good sheath first (that would fit a Kabar, or similar) then make the knife to fit it. (again, that's what I'd do) It will have all the necessary straps on it already. Blackhawk makes a good kabar sheath as well.

Sounds like a fun project!
 
Yvsa and Daniel, I was leaning towards the 3/16". I have made 3/16's O1 bades that were 7" long that worked well. They were definitely not pry bars, with full height flat grinds, but one of them was used to quarter an elk that my friend shot. This one will have to be flat ground as well, as I don't have the means to hollow grind or easily convex grind. The 6x36 that I have access to now doesn't have a slack section or a contact wheel over 3". If I go with O1 with a basic hardening I can heat treat myself; if I go w/440c or O1 Bainite, I will have to send it to the professionals.

Yvsa, I have had good luck with 440c at about 56-57. The O1 was between 57-59, even on the big blades. At the time I made them I didn't know how to heat treat myself, so they were sent off to Holt and Sornberger. Steels that I have done myself are 5160, cable damascus (1070??), S2 and S5. These were all done 15 years ago when I was still pounding iron. I haven't made a knife since then:o
 
Stevo, food for thought. . . .

Swedish Army issue, simple 4 1/8" blade utility knife

760mg.jpg


Canadian Army issue, simple 4" blade utility knife

GR3.jpg


USAF issue (still have mine <oops> ), uh, "simple" (154CM steel, combo edge, G-10 scales) 3.65" blade utility knife

sarsam_1869_2726157


Of course an SF guy might have a valid need for a "fighting knife", but most troopies just need a sturdy, dependable, knife for cutting stuff.

Sarge
 
I have had lots of knives made from 440C, and I have one made from ATS 34 in my pocket. The newer stainless -ATS 34 - stays sharp forever. Great stuff! I believe that the 154cm is very similar.
The high carbon stainless 440 C is a decent steel.
 
Sylvrfalcn said:
Stevo, food for thought. . . .

Swedish Army issue, simple 4 1/8" blade utility knife

760mg.jpg


Canadian Army issue, simple 4" blade utility knife

GR3.jpg


USAF issue (still have mine <oops> ), uh, "simple" (154CM steel, combo edge, G-10 scales) 3.65" blade utility knife

sarsam_1869_2726157


Of course an SF guy might have a valid need for a "fighting knife", but most troopies just need a sturdy, dependable, knife for cutting stuff.

Sarge
Click to expand...

Sarge,
I am down with that Swedish knife...I pretty much hate the sheath but the knife looks sweet...Ragner sell those??
 
Leatherface said:
Sarge,
I am down with that Swedish knife...I pretty much hate the sheath but the knife looks sweet...Ragner sell those??
Click to expand...

Yep. $11 plus shipping. I've got the nearly-identical version with a differentially-tempered carbon-steel blade (in contrast to the stainless version in Sarge's picture--go to Ragnar's site, find the one in Sarge's picture, and scroll down about four or five models; it's also $11), and in fact my wife and I were using it last night in the kitchen as an ultra-sharp paring knife. It's a great knife; my only caveats are: (1) it's sometimes a little awkward getting it oriented straight into the sheath; if you encounter resistance, try again and go slowly; (2) the handle is a bit wide, so if your hands are small, you might prefer one of this model's thinner-handled cousins; and (3) I find the plastic handle a bit slick for easy gripping--a situation that was instantly remedied by a couple of minutes with coarse sandpaper. That slick plastic handle is now almost as grippable as Kraton.
 
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