Finished my first knife!

MyNameIsBo

MyNameIsBo

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Through much trial, error, and advice from the kind folks over in shoptalk, I've completed my first knife! It's built from an old file and a piece of black walnut. The kydex sheath is made by me also.

flic.kr

First Knife

This is the first knife I've made. It is created from an old file, and a piece of black walnut. I also made the kydex sheath for it.
flic.kr flic.kr
 
MyNameIsBo said:
I actually made it for my dad for his birthday! I discreetly found out what his ideal knife would be, and did my best to make it to his specs. I guess you could call it my first custom order 😀
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That is awesome! My last knife gift to my pops was his favorite model of SAK engraved with PawPaw(grandkids nickname) making him a knife myself 😲 hat's off to you buddy!
 
norcalAF said:
That is awesome! My last knife gift to my pops was his favorite model of SAK engraved with PawPaw(grandkids nickname) making him a knife myself 😲 hat's off to you buddy!
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That sounds like a pretty awesome gift!! I've been reading a lot about how to do it, and eventually decided I was ready to give it a try. My biggest thanks has to go to Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith he's been truly instrumental in my journey of learning!
 
MyNameIsBo said:
Through much trial, error, and advice from the kind folks over in shoptalk, I've completed my first knife! It's built from an old file and a piece of black walnut. The kydex sheath is made by me also.

flic.kr

First Knife

This is the first knife I've made. It is created from an old file, and a piece of black walnut. I also made the kydex sheath for it.
flic.kr flic.kr
Click to expand...
I AM IMPRESSED !
Way to go !
I'm not known for being Mr Sun Shine (though my Dad called me Son) . . . I have to ask :
Did the dudes in the know have you anneal it a tiny bit ?
Files tend to be harder than knives of that long shape with narrow blade.
If not annealed a taste I would be weary of it breaking near the handle especially since I assume it is considerably thinner than it was when a long file .
Maybe just give Dad a heads up not to pry , twist or heaven forbid baton .

OK I'll go away now .
Great knife though !
 
Wowbagger said:
I AM IMPRESSED !
Way to go !
I'm not known for being Mr Sun Shine (though my Dad called me Son) . . . I have to ask :
Did the dudes in the know have you anneal it a tiny bit ?
Files tend to be harder than knives of that long shape with narrow blade.
If not annealed a taste I would be weary of it breaking near the handle especially since I assume it is considerably thinner than it was when a long file .
Maybe just give Dad a heads up not to pry , twist or heaven forbid baton .

OK I'll go away now .
Great knife though !
Click to expand...

Thank you so much!!! Yes, I learned through the forums that throwing it in the oven at 500° F for two hours would soften it up enough to be a good knife. It is actually pretty flexible now and bends right back to place!
 
Nice! Making a knife is a mixture of feelings. Acomplishment, pride, etc. And if the knife looking thing performs as such for a long time... much better!

Try to find yourself some carbon steel stock so you can make a wider blade (allows for a more acute bevel angle if you go full flat grind). Otherwise you are limited to the shapes you can get out of files (which are usually thick and narrow). Leaf spring also works well (glose to 5160 steel) but they tend to be very thick.

If you want to make fancier handles, try making homemade micarta! It is easy and you can get very nice patterns. Besides, it doesn't have grain, does not split, does not shrink or swell.... so you don't need to be as delicate as with natural materials (wood, antler, bone)

Mikel
 
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