First one. 99% done. Be gentle.

D

Dr.O

Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
69
O1 steel, local knifesmith did heat treat for me. Then I tempered in the oven at my house.

Oh, I've lurked here a really long time. Hello everyone.

I had an idea for a survival type knife I could keep under the seat, or in the 4-wheeler basket. Smaller than a true chopper, but larger than a hog skinner.

Blade 7.5"x2"and 0.25" thick at the spine, handle 4.125". Media blasted finish

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Here is the 1% left to do, need to bring the edge all the way to the rear. At least in my mind that's all that's left.

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Personal aesthetic preferences aside, that looks like a great effort. For a first knife that appears to be well conceived and well made.
 
Looks like it is up for the use you have in mind for it.
Congratulations.
(now make more:))
 
Looks like it is up for the use you have in mind for it.
Congratulations.
(now make more:))
 
Welcome to knifemaking. That is a pretty good first knife.

I'll be gentle.....it is far too thick. Also, all the shaping and "bringing the edge back to the rear" needed to be done before media blasting and handle assembly.
Next one, start with .125" steel and do all sanding and shaping before assembly. Also, try it without the dip in the top of the handle. It will look and work better that way.
 
Great job! If it works for you (and I bet it does) then that's all that matters. Seriously.

Your first effort is far better than mine was. I've learned a little about what *I* like over the years.

What really does it for me is a thin handle/scales. I like em pretty well ground even though I have large hands.

Thin blade stock. This is a sticking point for me, unless I'm getting a ridiculous production folder or something. Thin in relation to the expected job, steel used, HT and edge geometry. Considering those criteria I'll be buying as thin a stock as possible.

Tried and tested blade/handle shapes. As far as I'm concerned what came before me isn't likely to be topped by my efforts. Not everyone feels that way, and thank goodness for it, but I am pretty inexperienced.

The only thing that I'd recommend on your next knife (and my advice is worth what you paid for it) is to narrow the scales, especially near the ricosso.

Again, great job. ;)
 
Looks pretty good, as for the top of the handle, that thumb ramp looks like prime real estate for some jimping, imo.
C
 
Tempering should be done immediately after hardening. 1/4" is good for some choppers but if you don't intend to chop then 3/16" would be better, even 1/8" gives you plenty. My "truck knife" is a BK-7 BTW ,plenty for any brush I find needing cutting !
 
Thanks everyone. As far as the edge, I was under the impression it was the very last thing....so you don't cut yourself while doing the handle.

I know its thick. That was the size of the steel I had laying around. Also, the pictures seem to make it look far thicker than it is. It is ground from the spine down to the edge. From the edge towards the spine it's as thick as a quarter for an inch, then gets fat quick.
 
Flow could be improved with bevel in the front edge of the handles. Overall, very nicely done.
 
Looks good. One minor thing, I like to bevel and contour the fronts of the scales. When you have the holes drilled in the scales pin them together by themselves and contour them on the grinder while together, look at them frequently to make sure they are evenly contoured and when they are on the blade they will be perfectly even but that's just the way I do it doesn't mean you have to.
 
Dr.O said:
As far as the edge, I was under the impression it was the very last thing....so you don't cut yourself while doing the handle.
Click to expand...

I don't know about any other maker but I always sharpen the blade and test it to make sure the HT is right before I spend too much time hand sanding or putting a handle on it. I use electrical tape and or blue tape over the blade while putting on a handle.
 
Barry Clodfelter said:
I don't know about any other maker but I always sharpen the blade and test it to make sure the HT is right before I spend too much time hand sanding or putting a handle on it. I use electrical tape and or blue tape over the blade while putting on a handle.
Click to expand...

What he said! /^\
 
"Here is the 1% left to do, need to bring the edge all the way to the rear. At least in my mind that's all that's left."
I just looked at the photos and saw/understood what you were saying. The edge is already shaped, you just are going to finish sharpening it and clean it up a bit at the heel.

On the next knife, after drilling the rivet holes, pin the scales together without the knife. Shape the front end and sand it to the final grit and buff. This will assure the front is finished and symmetrical before final assembly of the handle, as you can't shape and sand this area without damaging the blade finish after the handle is on. The rest of the handle shaping can be done after glue-up.
 
Media-blasted O1 is going to be extremely susceptible to corrosion - a coarse surface on carbon steel is a "perfect storm" recipe for rust. Especially for a truck knife that may sit unused for weeks at a time in varying temperature/humidity conditions, you would be much better-served with either a high level of polish (my choice) or a coating.

I like the design, though. Properly-HT'ed 1/4" thick O1 will certainly be very tough. Sometimes a sharpened pry bar is exactly what you need :)
 
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