Capers in 440C - Are they worthy?

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StretchNM

Joined
Dec 7, 2006
Messages
2,806
I ordered a couple of three Lil Capers from Jantz or Texas Knifemaking Supplies. They were only about $14, so I thought I would try a couple. I was pleasantly surprised when they arrived - very nicely done! The edges need work though, the secondary bevel is ground at about 45deg inclusive, which is much too shallow (obtuse) for my liking. I'll regrind these at about 24 or so, then add a little micro-bevel.

I had some Buffalo Horn scales sitting around gathering dust and some newly arrived linen micarta. I had never been able to find a blade that I wanted to try the buffalo horn on, so I decided to glue on some white liners and try them on a caper. Not bad! I ordered another pair yersday :D

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A sweet little knife! It is a little "handle heavy" though, with the weight of those horn scales and very little steel up front at the edge. I might try some buckeye burl on one of these. They really could use some steel removed from the handle, to balance a little better, but I don;t have the tools for that in my shop.
 
And linen Micarta again, starting to take shape....
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Thanks for looking. Any thoughts or comments, even when critical, are welcome.
 
Well, Stretch, I've always said you do nice work. This time is no exception. They look very worthy to me.

Be sure to let us know how they work in the field.
 
A very nice compliment, thank you knarfeng. One of these three I will keep (I just ordered 4 more last night, hehehe), but the best of the three will go away as gifts. However! I think you're right - a field review would be in order. It's feral hog time up in the mountains, and I'm hankering to get another and try some new blades!
 
Hey Stretch, nice work you're doing there and fancy that, mosaic pins even. I like it.
 
Thanks Iuke12. I've been using those mosaics on most of the blades for the past year or so. I do have some plain stainless and brass rods, which see use on occasion. Usually, stainless pins for stainless steel blades, but these blades called for mosaic. That stainless is a little tougher to grind down and get a good finish on, though in the end it'll look pretty good....mostly. I really like the pins in that black buffalo horn. You can see that the inner tubes are hollow, and they make the pins stand proud to the eye.

Foilist, the blade is 440C stainless. It's 7" long with a 2-1/2" cutting edge and is 5/32" wide. The primary bevel is a hollow grind and, as mentioned before, the final bevel is extra shallow - probably about 45 degrees or so. That needs work.
 
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