Minibear's WIP/I NEED HELP!

try to get it flatter. if you thin the edge out too much, then you can always file a little bit away and thicken it out a bit.
 
You would be well to the wise to listen to the advise you have asked for.
You were given the way for better annealing - heat to non-magnetic; cool until it doesn't glow; quench in canola oil.
If you had done this, you would be getting a lot better results.

Also, get a high tension hacksaw and some lenox (or other brand) Bi-metal blades. They sell both of these at Home Depot/Lowe's/etc. The High Tension saw frame and a pack of blades will cost about $30. The handle will outlive you, and the pack of blades should last years. When using a metal cutting saw, cut the steel on the down stroke only and don't "saw" back and forth ( lift the pressure on the return stroke). A high tension hacksaw will cut many times better than a regular hacksaw.

When drilling holes in steel, the drill can harden the metal as it drills the hole. Slow speed and lubrication are the key to good holes.

Almost any heat source is better than sticking the steel in a fire pit. You can make the steel softer, harder, or ruined by doing that. Try and see if you can make a two-brick forge, or maybe talk your folks into buying you one of the Atlas Mini Forges ( manufactured by Zaph on this forum):
http://www.usaknifemaker.com/atlas-mini-forge-p-4101.html

If the steel from the fire is messed up, I would trace your pattern on a new piece and try cutting it out again with the proper hacksaw type and blade. I'll bet it cuts just fine.

At age 15 it is hard not to rush things, but knife making isn't something you do in a hurry. Take your time, read the stickies ( especially the "Instructions for making a knife" one), and post your questions here. There are a lot of great guys here who will offer help and advise. Maybe one of the smiths in the San Jose area will offer you and your parent a visit to their shop and help you profile that knife.

Here is an old thread about finding a maker in the San Jose area. There are some really nice guys within a short distance of you. An email may get you off to a great start.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/549015-Knife-Makers-in-San-Jose

I would also suggest you check out NCKCA - the makers will be there.
http://nckca.com/Info.html
Does anyone know if BAKCA is still together?
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. My goal is to try to make this knife as cheaply as possible. Not that I'm a cheapskate, but a forge is easily over $100, and I just don't have that money to spend. Maybe I'll upgrade my tools later on, but for now, I know my results won't be that great, but others have done it before, and I believe I should be able to. I haven't spent over $10 yet(on tools), and I'd like to keep it that way. Here's the picture so far, and the shadows make it look like there's cracks and such. I brought it to 220 grit, will I have to go further? Does it help with the heat treat? Because I'll just have to sand it again afterwards right?
DSC_0320.jpg
 
Okay, if all's well, I am just going to go and see how it does. Trial by fire right? I plan on normalizing three times, once for abit above non magnetic, once right at non magnetic, and once under it, at around a dull red color. Then, bring to non magnetic, heat another minute, see if table salt melts on it, heat for 30 seconds more, and into canola oil at around 100 degrees f. Let it cool a bit, and straight to temper in a small oven at 415 degrees. Would that work?
 
Okay, it's sitting in the oven, finished it's first tempering cycle already. It looks good, but I'm afraid of microcracks. Anyways, a question that just occurred to me: How am I supposed to finish the edge? A file won't cut right? Sandpaper? Sharpening stone?
 
A file will cut a bit. However, it is less than stellar. If you have benchstones, that would be my first suggestion. if not, then my suggested method would be a mousepad and sandpaper to put on a convex edge. Just search for that on google to see some suggestions.
 
Thanks! And also, this is kind of unusual, but I was 1 hour into the second of my two hour tempers at 415 degrees when the power went out... what now?
 
Almost. Handles are cut to shape, but they're very nice and blocky right now.
DSC_0355.jpg
I'm thinking of peening these pins. So just leave 1/16th sticking out on both sides, and tap tap tap? I've read that you should drill down and widen the hole a bit, so the pins sink in, but I can't find how deep to drill. The pins are 1/8 across.
 
DSC_0441.jpg


Hey guys, I just wanted to say thanks for helping me on this knife. I'm truly grateful, and apologize for any stress caused by my clumsy efforts to attempt a knife. Thanks a lot.
 
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