Just finished two little bushcraft knives

Mentor

Mentor

Joined
Nov 27, 2004
Messages
3,124
Hi all,

I have been dabbling with knifemaking for a few years now, and while I'm starting to make my own blades from scratch, I occasionally work from blanks. A while back, I came across the little Cobbler's blades available from Ragweed Forge. These things are a treat - Carbon steel, Scandi grind, 8 1/4" long, with a 3 1/4" blade, and a nice thin stock. All for $7.50 USD! I ordered a bunch with the intention of turning them into little buschcraft and utility knives.

Here are a few results:

The first one is a simple bushcrafter with a contoured handle. The handles are Padauk (with a polymerized Tung oil finish), and the pins are stainless. I gave the blade a mixed mustard / vinegar patina, touched up the cutting bevel, and sharpened it with a Japanese water stone. It cuts like a demon.

IMG_2384.jpg


IMG_2385.jpg


The second one is a gift for an old friend who is retiring and will now have time to pursue his hobby, which is birding. It's a similar construction to the first knife, but with a nickel-silver bolster, lanyard, and form-fitted leather sheath. I'm presenting it to him at a party tomorrow, and I think he'll like it.

IMG_2377.jpg


IMG_2374.jpg


By the way, both knife handles will receive a light final buffing with steel wool tonight, to reduce the shine left by the finish.

Comments and criticism most welcome!

My next batch will be converted to hidden tangs, with a traditional Mora-style handle treatment.

All the best,

- Mike
 
By the way, after much experimentation, I have arrived at the following patina method, which seems to consistently produce the desired results.

  1. give the area a light scuffing with steel wool.
  2. Using a cotton swab, dab on a light, fairly even coat of French's mustard. Try to avoid big blobs. The ideal coat is still slightly translucent.
  3. let it sit for 10-15 min, or until most of the mustard dries. The blade (depending on the type of carbon steel) should be quite dark at this point.
  4. Dip a fresh cotton swab in white vinegar, and use it to dab the mustard off the blade. It will remove some mustard, move around the rest, and contribute to a mottled dark grey / light grey appearance.
  5. I usually just keep repeating the last step every 5-10 minutes, until the cotton swab dries out. At this point, you can rinse off the blade and leave it to its own devices. The acids will keep interacting with the steel for an hour or so.

All the best,

- Mike
 
Those look great. A few of us have messed with them. HD did a good one IIRC.
 
Very nice work Mike. I look at these everytime I window shop at Ragnars site, but you really sold me on them. Wow, what great possibilities for gifts:)

Thanks for posting these beauties
Mark
 
I'm gonna break down and...
ask how much it would cost to get you to make me one like the one in the top pic.
 
Capital! I like them both. Your friend is going to be very pleased with that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top