My first attempt

[Charlie_K]

Unlike most of the people here I have very limited experience with metalworking, even less with heat treating. But nobody got anywhere without trying so here's my first try at making a knife.

 

[SOC_MRN_Leon]

Not bad for your first! Ill post pics of my first knife (not done yet)

 

[SOC_MRN_Leon]

The metal i started with wasnt very flat...had to make do.


The Design i went with.


Kinda close?




Still needs to be flat and need to make a grind. I like it though.

 

[Zuluninja]

well, why don't you let the man keep his thunder? every time somebody posts threads about their first try, somebody pops up with pics of their creations...

good job dude. keep on grinding.

 

[TheOTBalisong]

Good job, Sir.

Don't stop making knives.

 

[Charlie_K]

After a little looking around and finding the posts of DannyinJapan I decided to post some of my previous works that predate the Rambo knife I showed off. So ladies and gentlemen I present the kunai.

They've all been made in the stock removal method, all constructed from 1018 mild steel, all made in a uniform thickness for simplicity. They're certainly not traditional, but they're a lot closer to the real deal than some of what's on the market today.

 

[SOC_MRN_Leon]

Is that paracord you are using? By the lighting it looks like nylon

 

[dcmartin]

Nice Job Charlie! That's a great looking chopper!

 

[Charlie_K]

Is that paracord you are using? By the lighting it looks like nylon

The black wrap is paracord, the white wrap is nylon rope because it was all I had at the time.

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

How are you removing stock? Files? And you can always have your blades professionally heat treated. That's what I do. Darrin Sanders runs a great heat treat service. Once you get better equipment, you can always touch up your older ones too, particularly if they're not heat treated.

 

[Charlie_K]

How are you removing stock? Files?

It's actually a multi-step process. I start by drilling holes all around the perimeter, then I take a jigsaw and cut off the excess as close to the line as I can, then I grind off the remains on the bench grinder, before using hand files to touch up the rough spots and round the edges. If a defined edge is desired I go back and grind off whatever metal I have to.

And you can always have your blades professionally heat treated. That's what I do. Darrin Sanders runs a great heat treat service. Once you get better equipment, you can always touch up your older ones too, particularly if they're not heat treated.

Except I'm using 1018 mild steel. I've read up on the brine/super quenching methods but so far I haven't given it a try. I'd like to but for something like the kunai it's not necessary.

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

Well, looking good. I heartily recommend a belt sander of some sort. Your first looks a good bit nicer than my first, have to say.

 

[Charlie_K]

Alright I've been away for a very long time due to things going on, but finally I'm trying to come back in and I've brought something brand new with me. One fancy wrapped kiridashi in good old 1018.