Homemade "Bully" WSK Test and Pics

S

SkunkWerX

Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
1,730
As everyone knows by now, I made my first knife.
Is it a real WSK?

steel=5160
1/4" thick
OAL 7 7/8"
Blade Length to ricasso 3 7/8"
Width 1 1/4"
Cutting Edge, about 40° (20° each side)

OK, let's stop yapping and get to the pics.


Here we have just a gratuitous photo-op, slicing a vine on a small tree.
BullyTest1.jpg


Cutting a square notch in a dead dry tree.
If continued would form a mortise.
BullyTest2.jpg


Let the Beatings Begin! :eek:
Notice the cut down maul handle acting as beat stick. ;)
No decayed wood here, dried and hard.
BullyTest3.jpg


Pounded into the knot a good inch or so. Had to knock it sideways to remove.
BullyTest4.jpg


Afterward, was still able to wittle a little poker.
BullyTest5.jpg
 
Skunk, it appears to be a pretty tough knife so far! It's holding up to some decent abuse! Would you stake your life on it being a dependable tool to get you out of a wilderness or survival jam? -Matt-
 
grease-man said:
Skunk, it appears to be a pretty tough knife so far! It's holding up to some decent abuse! Would you stake your life on it being a dependable tool to get you out of a wilderness or survival jam? -Matt-
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SO far, so good. It's good enough to make a sheath for. ;)

Long term edge holding will be something to keep an eye on, only time will tell.
First test is that it didn't dull down, so the heat treat must have been somewhat effective. 5160 is tough, for sure. Beating with the hickory handle and there isn't a mark on the spine. I didn't "love tap" it, I was wailing on it.
If it's gonig to fail, I prefer it happen within a few acres of home. :thumbup:

For now, the short answer is YES, I would stake my situation on it.

I don't believe, at 1/4" thick, there is anyway I can feasibly break it.
 
That knife is awesome, I will take one just like it with a full flat grind and a convexed edge, with one of your kydex sheaths of course. :cool:

No joke, that is a nice hunk of steel, good job. Chris
 
great job. That is a little beast. That is what I wish the Busse Badgre would have been. I like the 4 inch blade size and such a small over all length. Looks good. You probably could have gone with a full flat grind or a high sabre grind to lighten it up and give it a slightly better cutting geometry and at 1/4 inch it still would have been way tougher than anything you would need to do to it.

good job:thumbup:
 
runningboar said:
That knife is awesome, I will take one just like it with a full flat grind and a convexed edge, with one of your kydex sheaths of course. :cool:

No joke, that is a nice hunk of steel, good job. Chris
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Chris, thanks much. I know you are a man who knows his wilderness tools, so, it means a lot to hear your reaction. :thumbup:
Much appreciated.
I do think you are correct, a full flat grind would definately be nice....alas, I have to work on my grinding skills a bit. I 'bit off' a lot of steel when I got ahold of this 1/4" stuff! ;) 1/4" doesn't seem all that thick until you start cutting and grinding!

Riley & MtnMike thanks guys. The Cordwrap really is pure function, without it getting a good grasp might be some trouble.
 
Hi skunk now that you make your own knifes. Would you spend the money and buy one or you would just make what you feel your needs are?? Im talking about user knives..

Sasha
 
Any chance on getting one of those?? That looks fantastic! You are truly a craftsman!

By the way, I pick my grinder up tomorrow!! I'm SOOOOOO excited! (I know.. Simple minds, amused by simple things.......
 
ashtxsniper said:
Sweet knife there skunk. If you ever want to produce and sell any of these let me know.
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Will do.

I will say this, all those knives made by knifemakers over in the For Sale forum? They are not overpriced at all!! :thumbup:

A lot of work goes into it, and this one was still "rough around the edges".
For the amount of time/labor it takes, these guys aren't making a ton when you consider their hourly wage, cost of grinding belts, wheels, cutting blades, steel, etc.

They gotta love what they are doing.
 
Man that thing is lookin good Skunk. I really like that little bevel tip thing you did too. Neat.
 
Rescue Mike said:
Any chance on getting one of those?? That looks fantastic! You are truly a craftsman!

By the way, I pick my grinder up tomorrow!! I'm SOOOOOO excited! (I know.. Simple minds, amused by simple things.......
Click to expand...

OH COOL!!! So I take it you have one of their stores close by?
(Harbor Freight)
Man the best/worst thing was when they opened one about 12 miles away!
Grab some files too, I think you may need them. ;)

RescueMike's going to be grinding down that rough-as-heck Fakepoon that's on it's way. :thumbup:

Reminds me, I need a better torch. or a forge! :D
 
sasha said:
Hi skunk now that you make your own knifes. Would you spend the money and buy one or you would just make what you feel your needs are?? Im talking about user knives..

Sasha
Click to expand...

Good question. I still appreciate knives of all shape and size.
Take a Mora Clipper for example: I could never do that.
I would have that thin steel waving like Miss America leaving on the Quen Mary. :eek:

Also, big blades, I love them, but, grinding a 4 inch blade, even, is plenty of work.
I had these crazy ideas I'd be making some nice Monster Zombie Killin 12"+ 3/8" thick blades, but, that would be quite a large undertaking.

Probably stick with 3" up to maybe 7" carbon steel blades, anywhere between 1/8" to 1/4" thick.

The short answer: I'll still buy a few knives here and there. ;)
But I'll always first give the thought: "Wonder if I can make one of those?"


Crap...I still gotta make a sheath for this puppy.
 
Just finished building a coal forge. This weekend will be the first firing of it. Hehe.
 
Fiddleback said:
Just finished building a coal forge. This weekend will be the first firing of it. Hehe.
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Here is my idea....

I was going to use a scrap 20# propane tank.
Still have to do some more homework on it.

Would like to be able to do heat treats with it, as well as, maybe, pound some steel, eventually.
 
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