Hunter in 1095 and walnut

SBranson

SBranson

Joined
Oct 29, 2006
Messages
2,912
I finished this today. It was supposed to be for my brother but I'm going to make one that's a little more robust. This one ended up at 1/8" thick due to some edge ripple from my first attempt at a brine quench.

The hamon was originally etched with ferric chloride and then I read Nick's thread about hamons and I played with different polishes and such to try to bring more out of it. In the end, I think the ferric chloride etch was just too strong. Interesting nevertheless. You can't see that the hardened edge is actually mirror finish.

It's got a 5" blade in 1095 and an OAL of 9 1/2"
The guard is mild steel lightly cold blued.
The handle is a piece of scrap walnut from work.

Thanks for looking.

ChrisHunter_1.jpg


ChrisHunter_2.jpg
 
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Stuart It looks like it would make a nice hunting knife. I think you could skin with it and do most all other small jobs around camp small and light enough to carry I would ask your brother I bet he likes it.
 
That looks pretty robust to me - I don't doubt it would be plenty strong enough for game and light camp chores. Might not be your first choice for chopping up a helicopter, but not everyone thinks that's a practical requirement for a hunting knife. And that scrap walnut sure polished up pretty. Very nice Stuart!

Roger
 
it's like Fowler meets Foster meets Rhea... very nice brutha!:thumbup::cool:
 
Thanks! The reason I want to make one more robust is that he wants a good 5" blade for work around his property. He's not a hunter so I think closer to 3/16" would be more appropriate.

Lorien said:
it's like Fowler meets Foster meets Rhea... very nice brutha!:thumbup::cool:
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Yoiks! :eek:... we must be on the same wave length for sure. The blade shape with rounded spine and large ricasso (also rounded) was inspired by Ed Fowler, as was the size of the handle, though this is flat ground. Also I'm really digging the large ricasso and the grip with the guard between the indez and ring finger... ala Fowler as well. I shaped the handle with this in mind.
This is my "best", as in most comfortable, handle yet. You can't see the sculpting but it feels really good to me.

When I did the raised guard, at the spine, I thought of Burt Foster. And yes the handle shape is a little inspired by Lin Rhea..

Damn you have a good eye... :p :D

The good thing about working in a woodworking shop (custom millwork and cabinetry) is that any highly figured wood is scrap as we need to have continuity. As we don't do much furniture, I pick up nice pieces from time to time. This little block has a ton of chatoyance when moved around.
 
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Excellent work Stuart! Like Lorien I noticed the raised guard and personally I like this in a hunter. I had a Foster hunter with the same guard profile and it's very useful as a thumb rest.

Stuart, I'm amazed at how quickly you are progressing.

Keep up the good work.
 
^^^ What they said. :)

Next thing you know, you'll be making Bowies and fighters.

Looking forward to THEM. :D

Coop
 
Thanks alot!

@ Coop... I started with large knives but took a step back to hone a few skills. I'll be certainly doing some fighters and bowies soon. I hope to someday have something that I could send you for a proper photo. I'll be doing a fighter in Sept. at Dave Lisch's school with Jason Knight. :D

2knife said:
If you get the chance, head over to Ed's HPEK seminar.:
Click to expand...

This is a dream for me. I found the DVDs so interesting and instructive. I've watched them several times and even have a couple 2 3/4" 52100 bearings ready to pound into billets. Gonna have a sore arm after that. :p
 
Hmmmmm. I'm not paying close enough attention. :D

Good for YOU!

Coop
 
I think that is a perfect size and shape for an all around knife. The walnut and leather look great too.
 
I like how the blade etch came out. I see one rivet in handle and it appears to be a hidden tang? So the rivet is through the hidden tang? Or is this scales, and if so why one rivet. Curious about the way handle is done. I stopped to look because I like 1095 steel used in this style blade.
 
Very nice package! Love the blade profile! Awesome sheath with deer skin liner Ala Paul Long style!

Very cool!

Steve
---------
Potomac Forge
 
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