Fond Du Lac Vocational School Fighting Knives of WWII

[Crag the Brewer]

A buddy of mine is a life long service member. He's been to the middle east a number of times, in bad situations.

He asked me if I could make a few knives for guys in his unit for retiring gifts. A little something.

Everyone is from Wisconsin.
I want to source all the wood and service from the area (if possible?)

He found an article of during WW2 young men from the area were taught knife making, to add to need for service knives.

I think that This model would be perfect, all around.

I'm going to donate my time, and hopeful skills to the build. Maybe up to six of them, maybe more?
He is going to make the mounting that displays them.

I think I will make a bunch of blanks, have them heat treated, and finish them as guys need them.

*good article
Wisconsin Vocational School Fighting Knives of WWII


Right now, he is thinking about the hardware/woods he wants to use?
And how authentic we want to make them?



Questions....
*It appears that it's a hybrid of full tang, and hidden. It looks like a dado plows through the wood and leaves the tang exposed in the rear?
*Does the pommel just stay wood, or is there a cap? I don't ever see a good view of this.
*I'm all for opinions about materials, design, and make.

I'm not sure if tons of these were made? How many exist today?
If anybody has more info or pictures I'd love to hear about them.
I think we have some time for research, I believe these are do in October.

Thanks.

 

[Richard338]

Interesting knives and project. The figure, partway down your linked article seems to show step-by-step exactly how they are constructed. If you start at the bottom of the figure and work your way up, you can follow the original process.

 

[DanF]

Cool, that should make for a nice (and historical), project!

 

[Tom Lewis]

Very interesting article. Thanks!

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Interesting knives and project. The figure, partway down your linked article seems to show step-by-step exactly how they are constructed. If you start at the bottom of the figure and work your way up, you can follow the original process.

Yeah, it seems simple enough. Almost has Becker-like handle shape. haha
Just a couple little details I gotta work out.

Normally, I make a type of loveless threaded fasteners.

If anyone has a good, honest, quality supplier of rivets, I'd be interested to know.
I don't think I want to make/machine all those.

 

[Bühlmann]

You could consider using Corby bolts. They will mimic rivets without the hassle.

Very cool project. Let me know if I can help in any way. I just sourced some sweet teak certified decking from the USS New Jersey (BB-62) and am working out a plan for some tastefully unassuming Navy tribute knives using that old battleship decking for handle material for a few friends of mine. I'm digging the design and style of those votech fighters!