- Joined
- Nov 20, 2010
- Messages
- 199
About two or three months ago I started looking for a knife to fill the gap between my Coal Creek Forge 'Hawk and my Bark River Gunny. After a lot of research and more hours of reviews than I care to remember it hit me. I know the guys from a local blade shop. They use .204 5160 spring steel to make swords and machetes for the coming zombie apocalypse, or at least that's what they have told me several times. Why not just make my own knife?
They gave me 2 pieces of their "scrap" almost 22" long and about 2 1/4" wide. The steel sat around for about a month before I got a shape on paper that I was happy with. Sorry no pics of the paper versions. I tried "cybering" it out, well my computer almost didn't live through that. I just settled for the paper and pencil approach.
Next I came to the part that makes me feel rather stupid. I got the pattern drawn on the steel, but had no idea how to get it cut (the stupid part is here) with out heating it and screwing it up (no it has not been heat treated). Um to say the least when the brain kicked in, I called myself some rather colorful things. It got cut and roughed out before I thought to take any pics...
I went from the top to bottom with a chop off saw, a 4" angle grinder, and files.
Its going to have about 6" of blade, 4.5 of handle, just over 1.25" from spine to edge, about 10.5" OAL.
Next came the moment I would have liked to have had Gibbs around for a good head slap. I painted the blade to draw in the lines I wanted. Ya, um, a red sharpy works a lot better for many reasons, but the biggest was paint in a file is not fun, some carb cleaner and it was gone, still not fun.
I dont have access to any sort of grinding tool other than the 4 angle grinder and some files and not having used an angle grinder for any sort of fine work I opted for the files. I thought I knew how to use a file, and well, I was WRONG!!! Cutting in the main bevel on 5160 with a big file is a work out I have never seen before. I had no idea what I was in for when I started this.
It was discouraging when I rolled it over and started on the other side. After two days work I was back to square one but it didnt take long to get about a ¼ of the way there in much less time. The first side had taught me how to use a file, along with some time on the Good Info sticky.
Sorry about the bad pic.
Im kind of amazed at how close to square and center Im keeping it thus far. The list of things left to do to it before I get it heat treated is growing ever shorter. I need to remember were I put my sanding block, drill the holes for the hardware, and finish off the bevel.
It only took me a little wile to figure out I jumped into this with both feet before I had any idea what it took, I am enjoying it though.
I know there are things I haven't considered or even thought of for that matter. Thanks for any advice or ideas any one has for me.
They gave me 2 pieces of their "scrap" almost 22" long and about 2 1/4" wide. The steel sat around for about a month before I got a shape on paper that I was happy with. Sorry no pics of the paper versions. I tried "cybering" it out, well my computer almost didn't live through that. I just settled for the paper and pencil approach.
Next I came to the part that makes me feel rather stupid. I got the pattern drawn on the steel, but had no idea how to get it cut (the stupid part is here) with out heating it and screwing it up (no it has not been heat treated). Um to say the least when the brain kicked in, I called myself some rather colorful things. It got cut and roughed out before I thought to take any pics...
I went from the top to bottom with a chop off saw, a 4" angle grinder, and files.
Its going to have about 6" of blade, 4.5 of handle, just over 1.25" from spine to edge, about 10.5" OAL.
Next came the moment I would have liked to have had Gibbs around for a good head slap. I painted the blade to draw in the lines I wanted. Ya, um, a red sharpy works a lot better for many reasons, but the biggest was paint in a file is not fun, some carb cleaner and it was gone, still not fun.
I dont have access to any sort of grinding tool other than the 4 angle grinder and some files and not having used an angle grinder for any sort of fine work I opted for the files. I thought I knew how to use a file, and well, I was WRONG!!! Cutting in the main bevel on 5160 with a big file is a work out I have never seen before. I had no idea what I was in for when I started this.
It was discouraging when I rolled it over and started on the other side. After two days work I was back to square one but it didnt take long to get about a ¼ of the way there in much less time. The first side had taught me how to use a file, along with some time on the Good Info sticky.
Sorry about the bad pic.
Im kind of amazed at how close to square and center Im keeping it thus far. The list of things left to do to it before I get it heat treated is growing ever shorter. I need to remember were I put my sanding block, drill the holes for the hardware, and finish off the bevel.
It only took me a little wile to figure out I jumped into this with both feet before I had any idea what it took, I am enjoying it though.
I know there are things I haven't considered or even thought of for that matter. Thanks for any advice or ideas any one has for me.
