First Knife- Practice (PIC HEAVY)

[n2wilderness]

I bought some practice steel from Aldo (1095) and here is #1. I don't plan on getting the first knife heat treated or putting handles on it...just a trial and error run. The holes are different sizes because after 3 of the big holes were cut my drill bit called it quits.

I was going to try and do a secondary bevel but I screwed that up and went with a full flat grind on the presentation side (chisel ground on the other side). The swedge is also chisel and I put the edge on the back side.

I'll probably leave this as is and go on to the next practice knife. Please let me know what you all think. I know everyone is generally forgiving and gracious with feedback but anything that will help me with my next knife will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Don Nguyen]

If they aren't going to be heat treated, why not use mild steel for cost?

I think you're on the right track. I would finish it though, just to get an idea of some of the other processes ahead.



Also, killer grinder!

 

[aarongb]

I don't understand why you wouldn't finish that, you can still call it a practice piece if you want. Its really nice work, unique design.

What grinder is that?

 

[n2wilderness]

If they aren't going to be heat treated, why not use mild steel for cost?

I think you're on the right track. I would finish it though, just to get an idea of some of the other processes ahead.

Also, killer grinder!

I edited my first post to say that I plan on not getting this blade heat treated. I ended up grinding the edge too thin on this one. I have 7 more feet of 1095 to work with so I'll plan on heat treating the next one.

Thanks on the grinder, I love it!

 

[n2wilderness]

What grinder is that?

KMG, I put some heat resistant paint on it to keep it from rusting.

 

[b_rogers]

Thats a unique blade, make another!

 

[tryppyr]

Regarding your problem with the drill bit, my first piece of advice is to get better drill bits. Carbide bits are good for cutting steel, though a little hard to find.

The second piece of advice regarding drilling is start small and work up. In other words, don't start with a 1/4" bit, use a smaller one first to cut pilot holes, and work your way up to the larger sizes by steps. Also, remember to drill slowly, and back out of the hole every few seconds and clear out the mess before starting again. This keeps the bit from overheating, which in turn helps reduce the work hardening effect of drilling into steel.

Nice work on the trial knife. I would join those that say go ahead and finish this one. I know you say you ground it too thin, but if you knock a little bit off the edge itself by running it flat on the grinder, you'll have enough material there to survive heat treat. Besides, what's the worst than can happen? I've sent a couple of blades to HT that had been ground too much, and they survived. I did have to regrind the edge on one to address a small amount of waviness, but it wasn't anything too dramatic. I'd say go for it.

- Greg

 

[n2wilderness]

Regarding your problem with the drill bit, my first piece of advice is to get better drill bits. Carbide bits are good for cutting steel, though a little hard to find.

The second piece of advice regarding drilling is start small and work up. In other words, don't start with a 1/4" bit, use a smaller one first to cut pilot holes, and work your way up to the larger sizes by steps. Also, remember to drill slowly, and back out of the hole every few seconds and clear out the mess before starting again. This keeps the bit from overheating, which in turn helps reduce the work hardening effect of drilling into steel.

Nice work on the trial knife. I would join those that say go ahead and finish this one. I know you say you ground it too thin, but if you knock a little bit off the edge itself by running it flat on the grinder, you'll have enough material there to survive heat treat. Besides, what's the worst than can happen? I've sent a couple of blades to HT that had been ground too much, and they survived. I did have to regrind the edge on one to address a small amount of waviness, but it wasn't anything too dramatic. I'd say go for it.

- Greg

I definitely need to do more clean up on the holes I'm drilling because I was just going one right after the other. One thing I don't understand is why the 1/4" bit was not drilling perfectly round holes. If you look at the picture I think only 1 turned out the right way.

I'll work on the blade a little more this week and get it ready for heat treat. All good points and thanks for the prodding!