First attempt

G

godspeed

Joined
Aug 23, 2010
Messages
59
Ok here is my first serious attempt at knife making.
The steel is from a 12" bastard file. (about 3/16" thick)
The handle scales are Bocote.
I used stainless tig welding rod for pins and stainless 1/4" thong hole tubing. I also used vulcanized black spacer material.
I don't have much to work with so it was made with a 4" angle grinder, 4x36" belt sander, files, and lots of sandpaper.
All the heat treating was done "Rambo style" in an Oak fire and quenched in motor oil. I did two temper cycles in the wife's oven.
I still have a little sanding and smoothing to do on the handle and
I have yet to sharpen it.

I used a file for two reasons...
A. It was all i could afford.
B. I think it's a cool idea.

It is 7 3/4" over all, 3 3/4" blade.
Not sure about the weight but it's pretty heavy.

Any critiques, advice, or pointers would be greatly appreciated.
I did the best i could with what i have, and it was sooo much fun!
I'm left with a real feeling of accomplishment.
I'm hooked.

IMG_5247.jpg


IMG_5251.jpg


IMG_5260.jpg
 
is the inner mouth of the tubing you used for the lanyard hole chamfered/radiused?

the knife looks good, and your scale material is gorgeous.
 
Very nice first knife:thumbup: I've always liked the looks of a knife made from a file where you can still see the old file pattern on the flats. It just looks cool. Keep 'em coming!
 
I've made a few out of files, you did a very good job, you actually put a handle on it... I have yet to do so. Trust me though, that is very difficult steel to work with. The teeth make it much more difficult.
 
canid said:
is the inner mouth of the tubing you used for the lanyard hole chamfered/radiused?
Click to expand...

"radiused"? :confused:

godspeed that knife is just beautiful, anyone should be proud to call that their first knife. So are you going to sell it, frame it, or use it?
 
canid said:
is the inner mouth of the tubing you used for the lanyard hole chamfered/radiused?
Click to expand...

Not yet. I was thinking of using a dremel tool to clean it up a bit. There is also a little gap around the outside of the tubing that i need to do something with.... i don't know what though. I might try making some filler from the bocote sawdust.?


So are you going to sell it, frame it, or use it?
Click to expand...

I'm going to use it! I have to test it out. After all i didn't use the most high-tech heat treating methods... I couldn't sell something that looks decent but doesn't perform. And Bladsmith said in his tutorial that you should never sell your first knife. I will try to sell the next knives i make, if only to get some decent steel to try out. I couldn't justify charging too much money for a file knife when i only have maybe $15 in it.

-Adam
 
I think it's a great 1st knife! You've proved to yourself that you can do it, now do it again, and again, and again...

LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin
 
Off to a great start! Test it hard, but not to destruction... it will be cool to compare that one to your fifth or twentieth.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top