Hey, I finally got CAD going!

[Lucky Bob]

I've decided I'm going to do a knife over the summer, and summarily had a revelation about how to model a knife in a CAD program. I wanted to show off, and ask all the local gurus (and the rest of you ) if they have any suggestions, as to the design of the knife:

Tentative specs: 7 and change inches OAL, 3.25" flatground blade, .125" 1095. Also, I'd like to point out that, due to technical diffulties, the scales are neither as thick or chamfered as I would like, and I plan to do a more interesting transition from scale to ricasso, probably a negative arc.

Also, I asked in another thread, but I figure I'll throw it in here: can anybody direct me to someone I can outsource my HT, other than Paul Bos? (He's the best, from what I've heard, but I don't need THAT good, and he doesn't do 1095, which is what I plan to start in.)

 

[J. MacDonald]

To me, you're overthinking this project. It's a simple wharncliffe fixed blade. If you'r enew to knifemaking, who not print your pattern out, then trace it onto some 01 stock and get to making it. 01 can easily be heat treated at home using a well accepted heat treat recipe comprising of a one brick forge, a Home Depot Mapp Gas torch and some quenching oil (from ATF to Canola oil).

Using a similar HT process, I've repeatably hit Rc60 on my 01 blades and didn't have to send anything anywhere. The price of two blades sent out for HT will cover the cost of the torch and brick and you can have compelte creative control. 01 is nearly as tough as 1095 and makes a great starting medium, and in the right hands can make a VERY good knife even when compared to more exotic steels.

Just an idea.

 

[Lucky Bob]

I probably am. Then again, given my lack of space/privacy (NYC apartment), it's going to be hard to make the knife without pissing any neighbors off, let alone heat treat it.

As for steel type, I had thought to do 1095, cuz that's what the tutorial I found (Absolute Cheapskate...) suggested. My books should be arriving soon, so I don't want to start doing anything stupid before I recieve them.