KnifeHead
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2006
- Messages
- 5,561
I tagged along with T.Bose this past week to Bradford, PA for the Case Customer Appreciation event. While Tony was takin care of business, I got to hang out with one of the Case prototype shop knifemakers, Mike Dubois. We were just shootin the bull and Mike asked me, "Do you want to put together a knife?" I was a bit shocked but was able to muster a "HECK YEAH!" and off we went to the parts bins.
Now this was a bit of a different experience than making a handmade knife. What a thrill to walk up to bins of parts already cut out and just dig in and get what you want. We walked around and selected the parts for a large Texas Toothpick (I could have picked any pattern) and went back to the bench to start the process of putting the knife together.
I worked on this knife for about 4 hours total...2 hours on Wednesday and 2 hours on Thursday. Cleaned and buffed the blade and spring first then selected and cut the raw dyed bone to length. I selected smooth honey bone for the "covers". Their tools and methods of assembly are all made with the idea of speed of assembly in mind...not something I am used to. I was able to get the bone on both liners, rough the bone and bolsters to shape and get the knife assembled in 2 hours. Mike had to leave and one of his co-workers helped with putting the knife together.
The next day I spent about 2 hours finishing it down from fine sanding to final buff.
It's my understanding that anyone can plan a tour through the Case plant that will include the assembly of a knife that you can keep. If you have the chance and are willing to learn some new things, I recommend it. The folks at Case are very welcoming and warm hearted folks and I am sure you would enjoy a visit.
Anyway, here's the knife. I swedged the blade and polished the inside of the spring. I got a funny look when I told the guy I wanted to put a swedge on it.
Now this was a bit of a different experience than making a handmade knife. What a thrill to walk up to bins of parts already cut out and just dig in and get what you want. We walked around and selected the parts for a large Texas Toothpick (I could have picked any pattern) and went back to the bench to start the process of putting the knife together.
I worked on this knife for about 4 hours total...2 hours on Wednesday and 2 hours on Thursday. Cleaned and buffed the blade and spring first then selected and cut the raw dyed bone to length. I selected smooth honey bone for the "covers". Their tools and methods of assembly are all made with the idea of speed of assembly in mind...not something I am used to. I was able to get the bone on both liners, rough the bone and bolsters to shape and get the knife assembled in 2 hours. Mike had to leave and one of his co-workers helped with putting the knife together.
The next day I spent about 2 hours finishing it down from fine sanding to final buff.
It's my understanding that anyone can plan a tour through the Case plant that will include the assembly of a knife that you can keep. If you have the chance and are willing to learn some new things, I recommend it. The folks at Case are very welcoming and warm hearted folks and I am sure you would enjoy a visit.
Anyway, here's the knife. I swedged the blade and polished the inside of the spring. I got a funny look when I told the guy I wanted to put a swedge on it.
very nice. JB
:thumbup:
