This is a project I just finished. I lay out the process I go through to make it in case anyone sees something I should improve. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.
I made this knife out of the "A" cam chain from a Honda CB900C motorcycle. I cut the chain into segments and sandwiched them between two plates of 1084 steel.
I heated, fluxed, and hammered until it was a long round rod. I twisted the rod about four times and then hammered it into a flat billet. I folded this billet into thirds and heated, fluxed, and hammered this into the blade shape you see here. There was only enough material to make the actual blade, so I welded on a piece of mild steel for the tang.
I hardened it by heating it to 1500 degrees and quenching it in 130 degree canola oil. I immediately tempered it at 450 degrees for one hour.
I cleaned it up using a buffing wheel with 320 grit greaseless compound, and then honed it to a 17 degree bevel. I painted the edge with fingernail polish and etched it in 50/50 Ferric Chloride and water for two 15 minute sessions--wet sanding after each session with 600 grit sandpaper. I neutralized the acid with baking soda and water. I then boiled the blade for 10 minutes to remove any residual acid, and dried it and applied oil while it was still hot.
I made a basic handle out of oak wood with a brass bolster. It is held in place with brass pins and 2 part epoxy. I plan to apply some kind of stain.
I made this knife out of the "A" cam chain from a Honda CB900C motorcycle. I cut the chain into segments and sandwiched them between two plates of 1084 steel.
I heated, fluxed, and hammered until it was a long round rod. I twisted the rod about four times and then hammered it into a flat billet. I folded this billet into thirds and heated, fluxed, and hammered this into the blade shape you see here. There was only enough material to make the actual blade, so I welded on a piece of mild steel for the tang.
I hardened it by heating it to 1500 degrees and quenching it in 130 degree canola oil. I immediately tempered it at 450 degrees for one hour.
I cleaned it up using a buffing wheel with 320 grit greaseless compound, and then honed it to a 17 degree bevel. I painted the edge with fingernail polish and etched it in 50/50 Ferric Chloride and water for two 15 minute sessions--wet sanding after each session with 600 grit sandpaper. I neutralized the acid with baking soda and water. I then boiled the blade for 10 minutes to remove any residual acid, and dried it and applied oil while it was still hot.
I made a basic handle out of oak wood with a brass bolster. It is held in place with brass pins and 2 part epoxy. I plan to apply some kind of stain.
