knifemaker's challenge

[Natlek]

That steel won't take a hamon. All blades need grinding and/or sanding afterHT. Don't go below .02" at the edge pre-HT. Use sandpaper wrapped around a dowel to sand along the curves. Files won't cut on hardened steel. Stones, abrasive paper, grinding belts are needed after HT.

Thanks Stacy . Your advice is always useful, thanks for that

 

[Richard338]

Wow Natlek, that looks a lot more consistent than where mine is likely heading...

 

[Richard338]

Well, I finished most of the grind at 80 grit just free-handing (this is post HT).
I will jump to 120 and up to finish.
No major problems yet.

 

[timos-]

That is a major challenge! looks real good with those tight curves!

 

[Natlek]

I still can t feel my fingers it seems that I forgot how deep scratches make file ...... I end up with almost sharp edge at the end . HT and temper , done , no bend no wrap and hard . Now handle .............Balance on this kind of knife , where is best to be ? I need to know before I start to work on handle .....Always when I HT blade I HT small piece of same steel to see inside....

Knife is HT to red line , is it that some problem ?

@Richard338 your blade is three times more complicated than mine .That grind looks excellent

 

[Richard338]

That looks really nice. Any idea about the handle? I have two blades, but am only grinding one for now. My handle will include a bronze guard, blackwood handle and cobra head pommel.
I don't have a good idea for the second one yet.

 

[Willie71]

I totally messed one up too. I might try again this weekend.

 

[Natlek]

I have not yet decided about handle .I have only some stainless big enough for bolster and some cooper . Wood /have only walnut at the moment / , leather or stacked micarta ...have not idea yet .

BALANCE right on front bolster is good ? If I can do that...........

Most probably I will do something like on this one ...without carving of course ..

 

[Natlek]

I totally messed one up too. I might try again this weekend.

Me two , and I can not get over them yet ....two very old Nicholson files. I could have made two great knives
Im right if I think that on horizontal belt grinder with contact wheel will be best to grind this thinggggggggggg?

 

[Richard338]

I've been grinding just on the edge of a flat platen with the belt overhanging a little. I'm not sure what will happen with the higher grits when the belts get more flexible...

 

[Jesenius]

... I'm not sure what will happen with the higher grits when the belts get more flexible...

Lower Your pressure to and speed of the belt and it would be fine. ;-) BTW: nice progress.

 

[Richard338]

OK, I ran the belt slow and didn't have too much trouble taking it up to 320.
It is basically a zero edge and is fairly sharp. I cut myself slightly screwing on the pommel.

I put on the handle and just need to tweak a few things like the pommel junction once it dries. The guard is bronze and I hope with time it patinas to a color similar to the pommel.

 

[Natlek]

That was fast I like it ! All afternoon I spent drawing, spent a heap of paper and at the end I came to this on a cardboard box
I hope I can make it...................... Now I only thinking about whether to leave that black mill scale in front of bolster ?

 

[lanternnate]

Now I only thinking about whether to leave that black mill scale in front of bolster ?

I like how it looks with the mill scale on.

 

[timos-]

I got my blade back from heat treating yesterday! Looks good, no warp , no cracks or anything.

 

[Richard338]

I got my blade back from heat treating yesterday! Looks good, no warp , no cracks or anything.

I'm looking forward to seeing how it comes together. I have a second identical blade that is profiled, distal tapered and heat treated, but I'm in no rush to do anything with it.
1) I need to come up with a good idea for the handle and 2) I need to take a break from these crazy curves and do some nice straight grinds for a while...

 

[john april]

looks great richard ! i gave it a shot, but ended up wrecking mine that is a very challenging grind, and i have new respect for those blades and those of you who finished them. i will sit back and enjoy your efforts ! DSC_0652 by john april, on Flickr

 

[Natlek]

Finally I found time for a little bit of progress , it remains to be fine-tuned , finish shape that big piece of stainless for pommel ? and it s time for wood or micarta .... I like to work without template this kind of work .... by eye . I will leave the perfection to Solingen

 

[Natlek]

One step closer ............................. I decided to shape one piece at time .I plan to get every piece close to finish shape and final sand after I glue everything .Is there any chance that I can make joint between stacked micarta invisible ?I will sand little surface from both side and I have the same Phenolic resin used for this Micarta ? I can even put handle in oven on 140 Celsius ?? What do you think ? Or I will waste my free time which I have not too much

I really need to buy some belts ..............I have only 40 and 100 ceramic and zirconia belts to work

 

[Natlek]

That is that , handle is ready for epoxy ....actually I don t need to put epoxy , fitting is very tight . Now I must to finish blade and find way how to bend that gard without to destroy it I will not bore you anymore , next picture will be from finished knife