First knife designs using 1084 (Slow but lots of pics)

Strigamort said:
Hi there, congrats on your decision to make a knife!

I was in the same place years ago. I started with file knives (still have some functional pieces that are great) and I can't remember if 1084 was more scarce back then, or if I just wasn't listening, but I bought a bunch of 1095 and ground out blades using a 1x30. Of course HT didn't work and some other things happened that forced me to stop trying, but even back then Stacy was a tremendous help. I'm sure he doesn't remember. He's been helping and answering questions for a long time from guys that start then just disappear. I'm surprised he hasn't given up! Thanks for that Stacy.

Anyway, I just wanted to say, it sounds like you have a good attitude and are willing to listen. Those really are probably some of the most important skills to start with!

Good luck and don't give up. ;)
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thanks for the words! i have been around the internet long to realize that most people are here to help. All you have to do it ask the questions in a coherent manner.

now i wish the UPS man would get here sooner!
 
I was being somewhat humorous, but you did state that you were going to make that blade and a simpler handle.
 
Incidentally, while getting out some of my grinders and stuff from storage the other day, I found a stick and a half of that 1095 bar stock.

Someone asked the other day, what is it about new makers that makes them want to start with huge knives? It's so true! I totally get why you bought the bar stock that you did, and I also understand that you're taking advice. From my tiny bit of experience I'll echo everyone else in suggesting 1/8" for the next go round.

I'm actually looking for thinner as I'll be trying my hand at small (1"-2") wood carving blades.

If you decide to heat treat your blades yourself I'm certainly looking forward to watching your experience unfold.
 
Strigamort said:
Incidentally, while getting out some of my grinders and stuff from storage the other day, I found a stick and a half of that 1095 bar stock.

Someone asked the other day, what is it about new makers that makes them want to start with huge knives? It's so true! I totally get why you bought the bar stock that you did, and I also understand that you're taking advice. From my tiny bit of experience I'll echo everyone else in suggesting 1/8" for the next go round.

I'm actually looking for thinner as I'll be trying my hand at small (1"-2") wood carving blades.

If you decide to heat treat your blades yourself I'm certainly looking forward to watching your experience unfold.
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man, this is perfect. i am glad i am not the only over achiever here. well 1/4" its gonna be. i will most likely remove most of the material from the blade, make a full bevel, and hopefully something i can make VERY sharp. next stuff will def be some 1/8" ill make some nice smaller tactical sized/styled carriers.

I have been a woodworker my whole life, and my father and poppop before him. so working the handle shouldn't be an issure, but when i look at some of the handles this things i have i get a little nervous thinking about multiple materials going into the handle. but i have a long time before i need to think about complicated materials. this first knife will be simple scales.
 
hey guys, heres a sketch for a balsa wood prototype. dont get too wound up on the details for the ricaso area. i am still figuring that out. but this is at least a small brainstorm.

its a rough shape. the handle could use a little bit of refining too. looks a little too beefy. and the whole thing looks like a kitchen knife, which i wasnt really going for either. ugh.

HELP

 
hey guys, heres a sketch for a balsa wood prototype. dont get too wound up on the details for the ricaso area. i am still figuring that out. but this is at least a small brainstorm.

its a rough shape. the handle could use a little bit of refining too. looks a little too beefy. and the whole thing looks like a kitchen knife, which i wasnt really going for either. ugh.

HELP

 
got it cut out. still a little worries about the spine near the hilt/shoulder area. and the ricasso.

but here it a first draft balsa wood prototype.

 
got my steel. need my new file. gonna start drawing on this stuff tonight. sharpie is gonna get worn out.

sorry. little excited here.



 
Man, it's good to see someone else filing away on an old table in a spare room, on carpet, no less. :D Nice Jeep, btw. :thumbup: Knife on.

 
Schleifstein said:
Man, it's good to see someone else filing away on an old table in a spare room, on carpet, no less. :D Nice truck, btw. :thumbup: Knife on.
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heck yeah man. funny thing. i live in a condo here in Arlington VA. bout 3 miles from the pentagon. anyway...
i have a drill press just like that in my bedroom, a bench grinder in the closet i take out when i need it. and i am debating on wether or not to bite the bullet and the the Grizzly Knife Belt Sander. would love to have something like that!, but would have to put it on the balcony when i use it.

anyway. i cut metal, braze, solder, paint, screw, drill, saw, file... just about everything. i make Custom remote control scale trucks for my other hobby. they take about 6 months to get one done, so i am thinking a knife, done right, will take about the same amount of time.
 
Overall, pretty good.
I think the top knife has too big of a choil, but the basic shape and lines are good. The bottom of the ricasso should not drop lower than the blade edge.
The bottom one isn't my thing, with that recurve, but if you like the look, it seems fine....except the handle. Take the bump out of the top, the extra finger groove out of the bottom, and make the handle look like the first one.

If yo move the choil back a tad, where it is bisected by the plunge line, it will look and work better.
 
bladsmth said:
Overall, pretty good.
I think the top knife has too big of a choil, but the basic shape and lines are good. The bottom of the ricasso should not drop lower than the blade edge.
The bottom one isn't my thing, with that recurve, but if you like the look, it seems fine....except the handle. Take the bump out of the top, the extra finger groove out of the bottom, and make the handle look like the first one.

If yo move the choil back a tad, where it is bisected by the plunge line, it will look and work better.
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thanks for the pointers stacey. your help has been
 
thanks for the pointers stacey. your help is greatly appreciated. I will make some modifications to the templates tomorrow. overall i think both blades are a little tall from edge to spine, but i can reduce that some. i'll take some material off with the sanding block and see how it looks.

that ricasso and choil area of the first one really doesnt look good at all. i need to do a little work there.

the humps in the handle on the second dont line up too well with what i had drawn originally on the paper template. i either cut them a little off, or it just didnt translate well. going back to the drawing board for the handle. i think since the first handle looks and feels pretty good i'll stick with that design for both of them.

question: the area where you pinky would be on the bottom end of the handle, does that have a name (ie. pommel, butt)? and so is it necessary to have that on a knife?
 
got my file today. its great. its huge. and its made in Mexico. bummer. but i am sure it should do fine for a first time user. if i wear it out after my first knife i can just make sure i get a USA or Brazillian made one.

time to start cutting. drew a 3rd design. more of a bowie style, and not such a tall blade.

 
after a week of vacation and thinking about what to do i decided to simplify the design a little. got the basic shape hacksawed up, and time to start filing the basic shape. lots of work left to do.


 
getting closer. just need to to tidy some things up on the finger side of the handle. and also on the pommel area. then just drill the holes for a lanyard and the scales, and its ready to start taking some edge.

 
Man 1/4" is pretty thick, guess you got determination knocked out. Just curious any reason you went with such thick stock.
 
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