My first knife....What do you think?

W

Wrenchbender_E

Joined
Jul 23, 2010
Messages
25
Quick background....

I'm currently deployed to Iraq and thought I would fulfill my desire to make my first knife since there is little to do in my downtime. I had my FIL send me some 3/16'' O1 flat stock and gave it a go. What do you guys think? What would you have done different? What do you like and dislike? My last thought is to send it off and have some Dura Coat slapped on once I get home. Good idea?

I owe a HUGE thank you to: canid, Bill DeShivs, Justin King, and all the guys who helped with my HT issues....

This was made using hand tools, oxy torch, and used motor oil/ATF. I do not have any specifics as to hardness. I can tell you that it gets razor sharp and holds an edge better than ANY commercial knife I own. I have chopped wood, whittled 3/4'' branches to nothing, made 50 12'' cuts in corrugated cardboard and put it throught the sidewall of a light truck tire 5 times and was still able to shave my arm after. I'm still kicking around ideas for a name. One of the young guys that works for me told me it should be "The Negotiator".
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What say you? :thumbup: OR :thumbdn:
 
Looks like a good user. The handle style is unique and I like it, paracord... yum. I am not sure about the ricasso/choil, kinda funky if you ask me. Was there any particular reason you designed it this way?
 
theflyingplatypus said:
Looks like a good user. The handle style is unique and I like it, paracord... yum. I am not sure about the ricasso/choil, kinda funky if you ask me. Was there any particular reason you designed it this way?
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No reason to begin with. I had intended to notch it at the choil, but decided against it at the end because it helps me sharpen it in low light or while I'm looking at something else. I use the top of the ricasso as a stop against my stone, and from there the angle and swipe is muscle memory. The design for the handle was done by trial and error with scrap sheet metal until I found a design that felt the best in my hand. I other than that, I didnt have too much of a design layed out prior to shaping it, just went by what felt right. The paracord is what I had laying around. I might look to make some scales for it at a later date. Thanks for the feedback... :D
 
Cotherion said:
I like it. How did you heat treat it? What did you use for a sheath?
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HT using an oxy/acetylene torch until it lost magnetism, soaked for a few mins, then quenched using a 50/50 mix of motor oil and trans fluid. No sheath yet. I'm gonna send it off and have customkydex make me one when I get home.
 
Sounds like you did it right, edge holding sounds nicely done. For your first knife it is very nice.

Thinking about another? Might want to keep the handle style as it is, cord wrap is nice and easy to maintain. Perhaps a longer blade?
 
wow congrats on what sounds to be an outstanding knife!

I'm taken by the results with such limited supply!
BIG thumbs up here! :thumbup:
 
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