Knife #29: Back-pocket Kwaiken - Proof of Concept - New shop blade

Erin Burke

Erin Burke

KnifeMaker...ish
Joined
May 19, 2003
Messages
1,330
I've been really slacking on the knifemaking front over the past few months. Probably the cumulative effects of another baby in the house, my rediscovered love of the drums, and new responsibilities at church... or those could just be excuses. I'm showing off this knife, you know, to show that I'm still here. ;)


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Seems like I've seen folks in the past utilizing a back-pocket carry sheath for smaller fixed blades... I thought I'd give it a try myself. This knife will be staying with me for a couple of reasons:
  • I tried something a bit complex with my kissaki grind -- trying to stay true to my original hand sketch -- and it just didn't work out cleanly. Consequently, the yokote kept fighting me.
  • I tried my first water-quench on this blade. I'd been using P50, but thought I might be able to eke a bit more activity out of the W2 with water. I learned a couple things: (1) that you need to use much THICKER clay with water, and (2) that I am not immune to cracking. I ended up with a fairly through-hardened blade with a crack in the handle area radiating out from the milled slot for the wood insert.
I went ahead and finished the blade anyway. Despite the crack, the handle seems stable. The wrap is 500-cord soaked in West Systems 105 (I use the super-slow 209 hardener). The habaki is brass.

I have another one of these blanks profiled... but I think that I need to let my brain reset with something fresh before coming back to the design.

I'm carrying this knife today -- in fact the photo was taken at work with my phone about an hour ago -- and am not sold on the back pocket sheath. It's comfortable, and handy, enough for folks that spend a lot of time on their feet... but I sit at a desk for a good portion of my day, making it less than ideal for this office dweller. :o

Erin
 
Two more questions:
What's the blade steel?
What's the over all length? 8"/9"?
 
Really cool knife! It looks like the menuki is recessed — do you mind sharing how you did it?

- Chris
 
Hesparus said:
Really cool knife! It looks like the menuki is recessed — do you mind sharing how you did it?
Click to expand...

Hey Chris... I think this photo will explain it better than words. The menuki isn't really menuki... just fitted wood.
Erin

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Lycosa said:
NICE Erin! Very nice.
Can you make a chisel grind?
Click to expand...

Thanks Lycosa. Yes, I'm fairly sure I could make a chisel grind... I've just never really been inspire to make a chisel grind. :D
I'm sure I'll find a reason to build one eventually. :)
 
Well you still make a very sweet looking knife.. I have to try my hand at somthing like that someday.
 
OK, Erin. LMK if you ever want to make one, then, we will talk. Danks.
Rolf
 
This is beautiful. One of my favorite kwaikens I have seen. Some day I'll need to get a nice kwaiken.
 
Nice knife! On the pocket sheath, for seated comfort, try moving the blade pocket to the side so it will rest on the outer edge of which ever pocket. This will move it out from under your butt, also a smooth kydex plate on the back side of the sheath will help spread the pressure against your hip. Awesome leather work as well. Too bad about the cracking.


-Xander
 
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