Grandson Gift Knife

Thanks for all the replies, everyone! They do mean a lot.

James, on knives like these, where the handle ends short of the edge of the hand, it can be a little difficult to pull the knife from the sheath, especially in a well fit sheath (and I like my sheaths to secure the knife, not just hold it). The little fob on the end gives you a bit more purchase by extending past the edge of your hand and little finger and giving you something to close your hand in front of thus increasing you purchase on the knife when bringing it into play.

Nick, I appreciate the words. I've been kind of forced to make plenty of this style of knife because it seems to be a popular design. So much so that I'm not taking any more orders for a bit so that I can focus my attentions on growing other areas of my knifemaking. It's been a good thing, though as it has really allowed me to somewhat improve my skills on a familiar design.

--nathan
 
Nathan that is absolutely wonderful job. I agree with all of the comments above. A couple quick questions for you if you do not mind. Is the blade 1/8" thick and did you etch the steel in the edge like you did your logo and the initials? I really could not tell from the picture.
 
Looks excellent, Nathan; you're customer should be very happy! Fit and finish look perfect. I especially love the ironwood (it's currently my favorite knife handle material.)

A matching ironwood bead on the lanyard would be a nice touch (I want to do one on mine if I can figure out how to make the bead...) I also think some tooling or carving on the sheath would be fitting to compliment the beautiful figure in the wood.

Where do you get your belt clips...yours look different than the one I have from Tandy? Also, what type of thread is the sheath stitched with?

Great job!
 
Very nice knife there Nathan. Love that Ironwood!
 
Sorry for not including that spec, but the steel is 5/32" with a 3.25" blade and 4.25" handle+ricasso. 7.5" OAL.

Wade, I'm not sure if I'm clear on your meaning about etching the edge of the steel. I think you are referring the CPM154 mark on the edge of the handle? If so, then yes, that is etched the same as my mark and the initials. I had Ernie Grospitch make a sheet of stencils of the steels I commonly use. I use a homebuilt etcher based on the Crawford tutorial but stepped down to 12V. I also use Q-tips instead of a felt pad to etch. I feel I have more control that way.

PJ, the ironwood bead is a great idea. I'm going to have to do some searching to find some as I don't have a lathe to turn down my own. I'll also have to pick up some leather tooling sometime as well. I've always stayed away from heavily carved and tooled sheaths, as I think simple and understated is appealing (I'm a firm believer in Occam's razor for most things), but maybe a basket weave stamp pattern would work well for this sheath.

The clips for these sheaths were bought at my local Tandy store. The guy that runs the store orders them from an independent supplier and uses them in holsters. They're a bit more expensive than the standard, and they're not typically stocked by most Tandy stores. This clip is similar, but not the same one.

Thanks again for the comments everyone!

--nathan
 
silver_pilate said:
PJ, the ironwood bead is a great idea. I'm going to have to do some searching to find some as I don't have a lathe to turn down my own. I'll also have to pick up some leather tooling sometime as well. I've always stayed away from heavily carved and tooled sheaths, as I think simple and understated is appealing (I'm a firm believer in Occam's razor for most things), but maybe a basket weave stamp pattern would work well for this sheath.

The clips for these sheaths were bought at my local Tandy store. The guy that runs the store orders them from an independent supplier and uses them in holsters. They're a bit more expensive than the standard, and they're not typically stocked by most Tandy stores. This clip is similar, but not the same one.

Thanks again for the comments everyone!

--nathan
Click to expand...

I think making a bead is possible using a drill press and/or belt sander as a makeshift lathe, but I haven't tried it yet to see how well it might or might not work out...If I try it and it works, I'll let you know!

The tooling wouldn't have to be anything complex if you don't like that sort of thing. I think even just a second decorative stitch groove inside the primary one like Chuck does, and then a border stamp of some kind inside that line would give it a little 'something extra' and look nice without getting too busy.
 
Great knife, Nathan. I really like it!! I am thinking of a next knife project, but I have not managed to get going on it. I'll be in touch!!
 
Nathan, you can make beads using your drill press. Center drill the piece then use a bolt as a chuck. Put 2 nuts above to piece to lock it in place on the bolt. Turn at slow speed and shape using sandpaper or files.
 
Will and PJ, thanks for the tip! I've got some scrap ironwood from the last knives I've made. This may be a perfect use for them!

--nathan
 
MD,

I'd be glad to have you out to the shop anytime. Let me know when you're headed this way, and we'll definitely work something out. You could give me some tips on folders as well! I saw Erin when she stopped by the clinic the other day. Sounds like she's getting a foothold, but I know she's frustrated with her work situation. Hopefully things will work out for the better soon. Let her know we're praying for her.

--nathan
 
That's a real beauty! Love the ironwood. I have got to get some more, I really love working with it! Congrats on a great job, he'll love it :)
 
Oh yeah... simple tooling for leather? I saw Robert Dark use a Paul Long technique that involves tools I'm pretty sure you have. Just use a slightly rounded scribe to draw a checkerboard on the leather. At at the intersection of the lines use a nail set, kinda gives it a quilted look.
 
I saw that sheath. It' looked really good. I'll have to try it sometime.

Thanks, Erik. Ironwood really is a joy to work with. Such character to the wood and great depth.

--nathan
 
Nathan,

I wanted to let you know I tried making a bead from scrap today with some promising preliminary results. I drilled a hole, then tried to find a drill bit or something slightly larger than the hole diameter so that it would be a snug fit. This was the most difficult part for me, and I never really found a good solution today. I ended up with a crack, which I'm assuming was caused by too large a bit and/or too thin walls (I started with a piece of scrap that was barely large enough, which limited me on how much shaping I could do.)

I started with it chucked in my drill press and using a file, but it was going nowhere quickly, so I stuck it in my cordless hand drill and worked it against a 120x belt on my grinder while spinning the hand drill as fast as it would turn. This worked much better and faster, although it was a little harder to control.

Let us know if you have any luck, and if you figure out a good solution to holding the bead while working on it.
 

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