Integral carving/hunting knife/sword

Sam Salvati · Dec 10, 2012

Been wanting to try this idea for a long time, turn a bolster on the lathe then forge that into a knife, gave it a go a couple days ago, and ground it tonight. got some 1075 (?) round bar, freehanded a bolster then forged away. Power hammer was a real asset to keeping things lined up and symmetrical. The grind is a hollow behind the edge turning into a convex grind, kind of like an old saber type sword just not so exaggerated. going with light wood maybe jigged to look like bone. REALLY regret not having done two matching bolsters so as to make this a carving set with a fork, but no big deal.

Sam Salvati · Dec 10, 2012

Also, Got these nails figured out, I forge a ball on a stem using a ball spring swage, then just taper the stem and put it in my slowly evolving swage block
and head it over. You only need a hole in a block, not a head if your upset head is not big enough to give and form a shoulder. Just mild steel.

jonnymac44 · Dec 10, 2012

Sam, I ALWAYS love seeing your stuff. The carver/sword is really nice, but I gotta admit the nails are the coolest part of this thread! Good stuff buddy!:thumbup:

Mike Quesenberry · Dec 11, 2012

Gotta love those integrals. Great job, Sam! That nail is way cool, too.

Hengelo_77 · Dec 11, 2012

Stag scales with domed pinns!! Yeah

Frank Niro · Dec 11, 2012

Something really special, Sam !!!! Frank.

mete · Dec 11, 2012

Did you see my 'Around the Grinder ' post ? THat knife is just right to carve that big bear !!

Sam Salvati · Dec 11, 2012

Thanks Fellas!!!

WOW Robert that's unbelievable!!!!! what a monster wish there was a photo?

Hengelo, yeah I would love stag, but would do hollow brass pin tubes and stag. Stag is illegal in MD to use by anyone other then Indians.

happycat · Dec 11, 2012

Beautiful work Sam. Although you had me for a moment there. I misread about the swage block at first. Thought it said "slowly revolving swage block" ... i'm thinking Dammm This I gotta see! Thanks for the inspiration. i want to try one of those at some point. Thanks for sharing.

Sam Salvati · Dec 11, 2012

Thanks Ed! There is such a thing as a rotating swage block:

http://www.swageblocks.com/swage_block_gallery_d45.htm

It could totally be motorized hehe.

Go for it!

Dan Pierson · Dec 11, 2012

Outstanding integral Sam, you've got me drooling already. Cool nail too.

dgjester · Dec 11, 2012

be interesting to see if what it would look like if you made a pommel for the knife the same way you did the head of the nail. think it would look perfect with that bolster