How I make a knife...

Thanks for the compliments guys.

The press is a soldering jig. Uncle Al carries them, it's pretty handy.

Brendan, the best advice I can give would be to get involved with the ABS. Go to the school and take the intro course, or try going to some hammer ins. Give it a try ;), you'll enjoy it.

Nick, my hands are pretty dirty and sliced up too ;). Take a look at the pic of me holding the bowie. There's a pretty nice scar on the back of my hand, I did that a year ago. I annihilated my thumb grinding out the handle on this one too ;).

Mitch I'll post a pic of the handle, I can only see the seam in one or two places-- it's pretty much invisible. I am a member of the ABS, I'm planning on taking the JS performance test this summer. The oven is a Viking Professional. It does a good job of boiling water ;).

I hope I answered everyone's questions. Thanks guys.

Matt
 
I just love these types of threads and this one was particularly enjoyable with multiple photos and comprehensive commentary. And what a sweet bowie you put together! Man, you really nailed that one - I particularly like how you executed the swedge. There is going to be a seriously happy forumnite out there - wish I could say it was me. :( I look forward to seeing how that "little" wussy girly-bowie turns out. :p :p

Roger
 
Thank you Matt! Posts of this nature are a credit to EVERY custom maker out there. It sheds light into the complicated processes and adds value with this knowledge.

That said, you deserve the individual credit for such detailed and exacting work. I'm impressed.

Best,

Coop
 
me likey!!! hey how did you attach the handle, i did not see any pins?

really smooth knife!!!
 
Fetz, the handle is attached with pressure and epoxy. The tang is left rough to give the epoxy something to hold on to. Personally, I prefer knives without pins, just my taste though ;).
 
Very very nice.
One question. Does the knife handle fit in the ferule or just but up flush?
TJ

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TJ, the ferrule butts up against the handle. It was a royal pain to get it to fit flush. When the knife is together you can't feel the seam. I thought about making a ferrule that fit over the handle, probably would have been easier ;).
 
Seeing that, all I can see is the gaps from picture to picture. "OK, he shapes the ferrule, but HOW did he do that?"

I have a long, long way to go.
 
Such fine workmanship, Matt.............you make Bailey proud!!!!!!!!! ;):D

We've got to get another one going one of these days....... :cool:
 
Great Knife and great pictorial! :cool:

I love seeing the step by step progression when people post these kind of threads.

Nick
 
And to think I thought you were having most of your work done in China. :p :D Matt you have done yourself proud.It's easy to see you put a great deal of effort into the presentation and the knife.Thanks for the detailed insight now get back in the shop.
 
Thanks for the nice compliments guys.

Gwinny, I understand what you mean. Eventually I will do a step by step from each forging heat, to grinding, and finishing, including the tools I use. The logistics of something like that are difficult though. I've taken pictures of the forging process and ended up with about 50 pics...I think a full tutorial could easily reach 150-200 pics. We'll see in a month or two though, I'll try my best ;).
 
These guys are into precision work, and when you drill out the hole you have to fill it with something like Acraglass or JB Weld, and these makers would know it, and that would not work for them, because it would be sloppy.

It is like the difference between the old style of lead paddling on hot rods VS fiberglass body fill and a lot of sanding. They both get the job done, but one is right, and the other is not.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Steven hit it :). A good fit in a block handle is possible by using a handle broach and files. I prefer morise tangs because I can see what I'm doing and it's much easier for me to get a snug fit. Hopefully that answers your question.

~M
 
That's a real beauty! Clip and blade shape, ferrule, handle shape and figure... all matches up for a fine knife.
 
I just received this Beauty from LongRifle,And I'm Damn Impressed with it.The Fit & Finish is Exceptional,you can't even feel the seam between the handle and ferrule.The Balance is Just right.I especially like the top clip.On a scale of 1-10 I'd give this one an 11.Keep Up the Good Work Matt.
 
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