Integral knife

[aj1985]

Could you please explain exactly what this is. I have seen examples, but can you explain in detail. thanks and take care eh

aj

 

[Whoever Wherever]

when the full tang, bolsters or guard and blade are all one piece. Most knives made have a guard, bolsters, butcap, ect... added to the blade and sometimes even the tang is added to the blade.

 

[Gene Martin]

An integral fixed blade is a knife where the blade, guard or bolsters, and butt cap or rear bolsters, are one piece of steel. There are a number of ways to accomplish this, but the end result is that the handles and however they are attached are different pieces than the rest.

Take a look at some of Edmund Davidson's work. He starts with a large bar of steel and machines away everything he doesn't want. Then he grinds the rest down to final shape and attaches the handle scales. Except for the handle scales, it's ine piece of steel.

An integral folder is one where the handle materials are inletted into a solid piece. Each side of the knife is one piece of material, the bolsters and liners are all the same piece. Often the inlay for the handles is stone.


Hope that helps.

Gene

 

[deker]

Basically it's a knife in which the bolster/guard is made from the same piece of steel as the blade. I've generally seen them forged like this one by Tai Goo, though Dietmar Kressler does some fantastic stock removal integrals as well.

Hope that helps!

-d

 

[aj1985]

Thanks a lot guys

Funny part is now i know that i'm actually trying to do an Integral knife. Note to self no more shaking head in the future when i don't know whats being said.

But man for being a newbie i ask a helluva lot of basic questions, and i appreciate the help eh

take care

aj

 

[deker]

But man for being a newbie i ask a helluva lot of basic questions, and i appreciate the help eh

Everybody is a newbie at some point. Glad to help!

-d

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Your question was based on lack of information. That is a good type of question.
The ones that drive many of us crazy are when a newbie asks about forming a hamon on a 1000 layer composite sword that he is thinking about making, .......and then in his next post asks if you can do it in your kitchen oven, because he only has a lawn mower blade,a zippo lighter and a rusty file to work with ( and he is only 12). That is lack of common sense.

Ask all the questions you need to, that is what this forum is all about. Read the answers, think about them, do further research if needed, and then if you still aren't clear, ask for a more detailed answer. Also - to all newbies - FILL OUT YOUR PROFILE !!!
Stacy

 

[Andrew Taylor]

AJ. there are three integral knives that I have seen in George's shop. There is one in each of the display cases in the shop and one out at the back. I will show you next time you are in.

 

[aj1985]

AJ. there are three integral knives that I have seen in George's shop. There is one in each of the display cases in the shop and one out at the back. I will show you next time you are in.

thanks a lot andrew, George was telling me about them and that he has more pictures on the website. It's just even though i know what an integral knife is i have a hard time differentiating and matching knivs or blades with their proper terms, because of how new i am to the terminology. Hope that made sense. On monday i'm gonna go pick up a vise and some files and start practicing on mild steel the file work that i wish to do on the back of my blade. George made it look so easy in the shop, and hopefully i get good enough to start on my blade soon in the next couple of weeks. appreciate the help Andrew, and il see you in the shop.

take care

aj

 

[aj1985]

Your question was based on lack of information. That is a good type of question.
The ones that drive many of us crazy are when a newbie asks about forming a hamon on a 1000 layer composite sword that he is thinking about making, .......and then in his next post asks if you can do it in your kitchen oven, because he only has a lawn mower blade,a zippo lighter and a rusty file to work with ( and he is only 12). That is lack of common sense.

Ask all the questions you need to, that is what this forum is all about. Read the answers, think about them, do further research if needed, and then if you still aren't clear, ask for a more detailed answer. Also - to all newbies - FILL OUT YOUR PROFILE !!!
Stacy

Thanks for your help eh, and hopefully I learn the proper terminology soon. Don't you guys worry more questions on the way .

take care

aj