First knife questions

D

dan97526

Joined
Oct 17, 2005
Messages
67
Hi all,

I'm planning on giving my brother a knife for Christmas with a handle made from the antler of a deer we killed last year. I also plan to make one for myself from the other tine. Since this will be my first cutlery attempt, I have many questions.

I am going to use a hidden tang blade. I've picked out the blade I'm going to use for his. For my own though, I'm in a bit of a quandary. I wish to make a carbon steel (1095) skinner. However, I can't find anything like that online. Anyone know a source?

Secondly, a question or two about the antlers themselves. The rack is pretty small. Where I plan to cut it's oval in cross section, maybe 1" in diameter along the long axis and 1/2" along the short axis. Will this be enough to support a knife that is to be used, or do I need to resign myself to keepsakes?

The antlers also have quite a bend in them. I don't plan on straightening it if I can avoid it. What length of tang do I reasonably need in the handle? Can I bend the tang under heat? However, should it be required that I straighten the antler (using the boiling and vise method), how long must it dry in the vise before assembling the knife?

A related question: if I can bend the tang and sink it further into the handle, what tool works well to hollow out the channel since I wont be able to drill deeply?

Can anyone recommend a readily-available epoxy?

Lastly, I like the look of the cast guards but I'm wondering how easily they will mate up with the antler. Are they easy enough to shape and finish? Otherwise I will use a flat guard.

Thanks in advance. I'm flying a bit blind here, since the idea just hit me today.

Dan
 
Welcome to the forums.
Most folks start a little slower than a stag handled hunting knife with a fancy guard.
I would suggest reading up on knifemaking and maybe making a knife for his birthday or next Christmas. The scope of your questions would require a small book to answer, as it seems you have no background to work from.
Another possibility would be to make him a kit knife. They have detailed instructions and are much simpler to start on. Try Darryl Ralph at Knifekits, www.knifekits.com . He makes superb kits for many knife styles.
Stacy
 
I see. I've never lacked for ambition, but realistic expectations are a different thing entirely! Guess I'll look at other possibilities.

Thanks!
 
Another good source for knife building information is Wayne Goodard's 50 Dollar Knife shop. You can usually find a copy on ebay.
 
Before doing a job for someone, I would read all you can on making knives. Start out with something small and work up to the big job's. Then in about a year make him something. As you get into it more you will see what we are talking about. And, if you know someone who has a knife shop ask and see if you can go and check out there shop see how it is done. ---------:thumbup:
 
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