- Joined
- Oct 19, 2005
- Messages
- 19,748
I was honored, and thrilled recently, when Kismet sent me the original Sarge knife (originally named Kismet's Practical Hunter) to copy and add to my line. Many of you know that Sylvrfalcn tutored my knifemaking (along with many of you great gentlemen I've been lucky to have met here at the Cantina). I've actually always loved looking at the pics of this knife, and being that its named after Sarge, I'm really happy to be working on it. I was very excited just to get to see the knife in person, and heft it. Bill, you did a really good job on it. I've spoken to Yangdu and gotten her OK on making it, and on posting this thread. I also got Spark's OK.
The knife didn't dissapoint. Its fantastic. Its really got a lot of spirit this design. So I traced it, then started drawing up my own version. It would have to be full tang. Thats just my process. But something had to be special about it. It had to push me. So I got down the old wrought iron I'd bought a while back and decided to do some bolsters. I've never done this, but this knife needed something that added something mystic to it. I get that feeling out of wrought.
Pics of my initial notes, and the knife too!
These pics also show some patterns I tried, and the first blank I made from 5/32" thick 01 steel.
This is the initial (pre-HT grind) full (true) convex grind (of course):
Here I am forging out the wrought iron. Wrought iron is an antique material, which was replaced by mild steel and isn't made anymore. It has to be reclaimed from old mills, or anchor chains, and knifemakers pay a bundle for it. This is because it forges like butter, and contains a TON of slag and impurities, that when you polish, then etch, you get a grainy appearance almost like metal wood. You have to forge it at very high heats, or it crumbles. I had my oven set on 1950 degrees F.:
And she is done today my friends:
When I make the permanent pattern for this knife I plan to add an inch to the handle, and make the butt of it a bit wider, like the antler. I think this handle fits my hand well, but I'd still bet a longer would suit more folks.
What do you guys think??? Y'all think Sarge would think I did OK?
Edited to correct maker. Sorry Bill.
The knife didn't dissapoint. Its fantastic. Its really got a lot of spirit this design. So I traced it, then started drawing up my own version. It would have to be full tang. Thats just my process. But something had to be special about it. It had to push me. So I got down the old wrought iron I'd bought a while back and decided to do some bolsters. I've never done this, but this knife needed something that added something mystic to it. I get that feeling out of wrought.
Pics of my initial notes, and the knife too!
These pics also show some patterns I tried, and the first blank I made from 5/32" thick 01 steel.
This is the initial (pre-HT grind) full (true) convex grind (of course):
Here I am forging out the wrought iron. Wrought iron is an antique material, which was replaced by mild steel and isn't made anymore. It has to be reclaimed from old mills, or anchor chains, and knifemakers pay a bundle for it. This is because it forges like butter, and contains a TON of slag and impurities, that when you polish, then etch, you get a grainy appearance almost like metal wood. You have to forge it at very high heats, or it crumbles. I had my oven set on 1950 degrees F.:
And she is done today my friends:
When I make the permanent pattern for this knife I plan to add an inch to the handle, and make the butt of it a bit wider, like the antler. I think this handle fits my hand well, but I'd still bet a longer would suit more folks.
What do you guys think??? Y'all think Sarge would think I did OK?
Edited to correct maker. Sorry Bill.
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I treasure it. So much in fact that I hesitate to take it with me some places. I don't doubt the knife. I would just hate to lose it.
That sounds like a distinguished pedigree to me.:thumbup: