Documenting an adventure.

[kazariah]

Howdy, Newbie here. I've been lurking around for awhile, eventually got registered. Figured now would be a good time to start posting and playing around.

I like, many others wandered upon this craft, and thought....well shit...I can do that! I started watching youtube, spending time, cruising around knife makers sites, and forums. I realized that I had nearly everything I needed to venture into stock removal knife making, and now here I am.

I wanted to document my start into knife making publicly, and in a place where I will be bombarded with kudos and congratulations...and maybe some pointers, and how-to's. Mainly the kudos though, as I'm sure I'll master this skill with my first knife.

So how about a lil about me, so I don't get label as "that guy"...although the title suits more often than not.

1. I have never made a knife before, and I know shit all about metal and metal work. (some of thats a lie, I'm not a slouch in the garage, and I'm not a moron...Just an asshole)
2. I like a lot of you am an EXPERT knife drawer...designer...creator? On paper...Hell I can't think of a day I haven't drawn a knife on something...or some monster slaying a helpless damsel with a sweet dragon sword!
3. I research the hell outta something before I do it...I also tend to just jump right in the deep end right after.
4. I have been an artist designer my whole life. Drawing, design, and architecture is not new or foreign to me. Went to school for illustration.
5. I am a sarcastic asshole...but the fun kind...the kind you bring home to meet your mom...then I make out with her.

So with that being said, here is what this will all be about.
I'm going to make 4 knifes before Christmas! I know start slow and easy first right...
I'm going to document it all here, with the hopes of showing off how brilliant and gifted I am, but more likely to have you guys point out what I fu...screwed up.
I have 3 designs that I going to make, all the drawing is done, mock ups have been made and I'm satisfied with designs up to this point.
I have steel on the way, o1 tool steel (now is not a good time to scold me for that...it will be here tmw.) Altho I am open to suggestions for the next go around.
So how about some pictures, since you just read a novel.

Here is the drawing of the "hunter/tactical/survival type stabber/slicer/hacker" (Bottom knife)

Printed out, 3m'd to some scrap wood. (not ideal I know, but it was standing next to me, and home depot and a pile of cash was not)

Two more designs - Top will be first knife made. (mine, so if I bubba it up, its mine, and thats ok.) Second is for a friend - An artisian pencil sharpenin (inside-ish joke)

3m'd to wood (osha approved flip flops...shud up, my garage my rules...you're lucky I have pants on)

A lil sander work

All 3 mock ups together. The smallest is just some aluminum stock I had around to play with the files. Final has a different shape, as you can see in the drawing.

I'm happy with my progress so far. Nervous as all hell to take the file to steel, but I was never much for the ladder, I like the diving board for getting into the pool.

Any feedback, crits, praise (especially praise - I mean come on, I'm awesome) greatly appreciated. I will be updating this post as I update the real progress of this adventure.

Thanks, Zack

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Nobody knows who you are now, but you will be a knifemaking legend as "Four Toed Zach".

Comfy as they are, wearing sandals and making knives isn't a great idea.

The extreme curve on the wharnie looks cool, but will be functionally inefficient, as your hand will hamper the cut in many uses. The butt needs to lift a good bit. One really good reason to post drawings first is that they can be refined much easier than wood and steel.

BTW, Welcome to Bladeforums and Shop Talk. Fill out all the info in your profile and let us know a bit about you and where you are. Knowing age, location, hobbies, occupation, etc. can help us give better answers to questions.

 

[kazariah]

Filled out the info section. I'm not very interesting.
36 yo m, married, kids, good job. No money, you know...american dream.

Four toed Zack sound like a great name! Although expensive. I'll really have to think about it.

As for the suggestion of the Wharn, a side from table top chopping, how would it interfere?
I get that getting the handle up, would clear your knuckles from the plane of the blade edge.
I have just about the same clearance on my folder. Is it just the style of blade that dictates that the edge plane should clear the knuckles/hand?
I initially thought of this as an EDC type horizontal belt carry type set up. Quick access, hacky hacky slashly slashy type thought process.
And just to clarify, since the internet has not perfected the art of emotion and inflection in forum dialog. I'm just looking for more info, not questioning or arguing.
Also I'm not to familiar with the history or lineage of this style of blade, this style of blade seems to lend it self to ease of creation so that's why it got chosen.

 

[kazariah]

Stacy, changed a couple things per your suggestion, getting ready to eat, so I'll make some mock ups tmw.
Honestly not a big fan of the change, doesn't look right to me.
I guess its not a wife, so it needs to function better than it looks.

I may thicken up the Point of the blade, I like the idea of the dagger like point, but doesn't look right with the ass end kicked up.

 

[12345678910]

I like the first one without the choil and the wharneclif after your changes but without the jimping.

 

[S.Alexander]

I like your second knife, but without a skull crusher. You should make one of your first knives that you posted. They look quite functional.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I was just giving suggestions. The final knife will be what you want it to be.

 

[kazariah]

Had a great weekend!

Got my steel! (holy shit 1/4" is huge!) no matter how many times I looked at it on a ruler, drew it up, compared it to the knives I own...It didnt seem to calculate. I also got some 5/32 to work with...which I considered "smaller" again...huge.
Went to Flagstaff, stopped off at the North Pole, Drank 2 too many margaritas (total count of two) and still had time to finish up the rough shape of my first attempt at knife making.

Learned a LOT with that.
1. I can't hold a file straight to save my life.
2. My HF combo sanders work plate isn't square
3. Don't take your gloves off just cause you think they are getting in the way.

So any way, here's some progress pics. I decided to just go with the original sketch, as much as I toyed with the other idea, didn't look feel right to ME. This is just the first knife, mainly to test skills, quality etc. If this knife sucks as a functioning piece I'll put it in a shadow box on the wall, like people do with their first dollar.

Paper glued, getting ready for the hack saw.

First cut! Kept bitting my lip concentrating too hard.

Super rough cut, went a lot smoother/quicker than I imagined.

More rough cuts, and some filing.

Closer. As soon as I took file to steel, all I could think of was "Come on! you can totally come up with the funds for a grinder...the kids don't need christmas!"

Slow and steady (Bonus: look at that! SHOES!)

I think this was final after filing.

Comparison after some time on the sander

Dimensions are off, but I was pleased I could get this close.

 

[Maelstrom78]

So far so good.

 

[Fish30114]

I think you are doing DAMN good. I like the looks of that a lot (always loved wharnies) I also like the general design on this one. What are the scales gonna be out of?

 

[Lo/Rez]

Looks good.

 

[kazariah]

Thanks for the support!

Fish - Not sure yet. I originally pictured wood. I can work with wood well enough. Although when it comes to something like knife scales I'm sure I'm well outta my league for making strong lasting scales. Probably just end up using micarta, or G10, since thats what my final pieces will be lined with. This knife is just a learning process for the next two.

 

[kazariah]

Bang Bang! ....double post.

 

[BallewBlade]

I like your designs, looks like you are off to a good start, I will stayed tuned and see how they turn out!

 

[R. William Nelson]

Looks good man. Excited to see where this/these go.

 

[Yo Mama]

Yeah .250 is thick stuff! I just got .187 and thought the same thing! What am I going to do with this? What can't I do with this!??!

Great looking profile so far, I can't wait to see how it turns out!

 

[kazariah]

Quick progress update. Work, family, and the holidays have been very inconsiderate in their interfering with my hobbies.

I put a small choil on the blade. I may enlarge it or leave it as is...i'm not sure. I like the looks of the choil, and the idea of using it to help with the plunge line. I also dislike how it catches while cutting. So still not sure how I'll handle it.
You can also see some serious scratches in the handle...these were all over the blade from a quick pass on the sander. (80 grit) I buffed out the majority of the scratches on the visible portions of the knife with a 120grit on a flat surface.

Scratches

Not so many scratches

Thanks A. Gough for the inspiration and tips and tricks.

Completed...time to take the plunge.

WTB Belt grinder....

Side one done..ish

Side two. Was a pain trying to get it in the right spot.

Seriously...I got like 43 bucks...who wants to sell my a belt grinder.

Fancy curved grind lines...those are extra.

My arm got tired of filing so I thought I'd update. This is 5/32 steel...and as I'm doing this I'm getting panic attacks of the 1/4 steel thats waiting for me.
Alright, bbl with more progress.

 

[Justin Presson]

Looking good man. Yeah that 1/4" to file is going to suck. I used 1/8" on my first 3 I made with the same file jig and it took awhile. Buying thinner steel is cheaper than a belt grinder. Or look on Craigslist for a 1x42 or 2x42 craftsman. I went from files to a 1x42.

 

[ChristoDart]

I used the file jig for 4 knives of s35vn. It was a long process but worked great. Ordered a bunch of 3v. Put it in the jig and did probably 3 passes. Then went and got a 2x42 craftsman. Great lookin knife so far!

 

[Lu1967]

Pitstols,grenades and tannerite your doing just fine