My first knife

T

TroyO

Joined
Mar 20, 2001
Messages
71
knife1.jpg

knife2.jpg

knife3.jpg


The blade is 1095, differentially tempered. The handle is Purpleheart, with stainless pins and thong tube.

Please fire away with suggestions for improvement, there is lots with this knife I don't like and want to try and make better next time. (Burned the front pin, washed out the grind lines, mirror polish isn't as nice as I wanted, etc... hehe, which is why this becomes an addiction, there is ALWAYS something to try harder to get right).

(This is the edit... made it with files mostly, and a 4X36 belt sander, but I just used that for touching up, not for stock removal, and even then it was usually turned off and just used as a flat sanding pad.)

[This message has been edited by TroyO (edited 06-02-2001).]
 
Excellent job, Troy!. Keep it up and keep posting the pic's. I'm wondering what method you used for the differential temper?
smile.gif
 
Thanks for the comments all.
smile.gif


Richard, what I did for the tempering was really easy... I used my deep fryer and heated the veggie oil in it to ~170 degrees. Used a Map/Oxy torch to get it to a cherry red all over the blade area (I didn't worry about the handle) then dunked it. I then checked it with a file to make sure it had hardened (It had) and tossed it in the oven at 400 degrees, it turned just the first temper color, very light straw. I did that because I was worried that a fully hard edge would be too prone to chipping.

Next, the "differential" part... I just help the edge under water in a aluminum pan and heated the spine with the Mapp/Oxy torch until it got a bright dark blue. Then, let the blade drop into the water to cool off.

That's it... it went pretty well.

Since i am talking about heat treating here, I would like to point out that Paul Bos is AWESOME to do bussiness with. I got 2 blanks from Texas Knife, one ATS-34 and the 1095. The 1095 was cleaner than the ATS-34 so I assumed the 1095 must be the "stainless" one. Anyway, after I made the blade I sent the 1095 to Paul marked as ATS-34.

When I caught the error I emailed him but didn't catch him in time as he has already run the blade.

He sent me back the blade ALONG WITH THE CHECK. I had emailed him to keep the check since the failure was so obviously mine but he sent it back anyway. Talk about a customer oriented bussiness!

I feel bad, I wish he had kept it, but he has certainly gained my respect and admiration for his services! Hopefully I can make it up to him by sending him a lot of properly labeled work.
wink.gif
 
Man it took me bout 3 years before mine started looking that clean.
The knife looks great,keep up the great work.
Bruce

------------------
Bruce Evans Handcrafted Knives
The soul of the Knife begins in the Fire!!!!!
Member of,AKTI#A000223 and The American Bladesmith Society
asmallpicofbruceforforums.jpg
 
Troy
I like the big belly on the blade
looks like a skinner style knife
my favorite.Good idea on heating
the spin with the edge quenched in
a water bath.Keep up the good work
The Zodiac
 
Troy, your first knife is great! I really like that bolo-shaped blade. You did a lot of sophisticated heat treating on that puppy, keep up the good work. Your finish looks very good from here!

Dave
 
Boy, I wish I could say my first knife looked that good. Keep it up, your doing great.

J.
 
Troy, that is very nice. My fisrt knife that I just finished you could just about see throught the blade. I do not think that I am going to try to heat treat it. Keep up the good work.
smile.gif
 
As usual, am at least 3 days late, and a buck fifty short. Still, wanted to comment and ask a couple questions/concerns.

I really like the knife! It really reminds me of the Chinese leaf-shaped blade. Incredible belly. Should skin/slash/cut like crazy, especially if it is a flat grind, as it appears. I think the ricasso looks truly useful, like it would enable a person to place a finger there, to choke up. I like the gentle drop in the handle also. My first concern is the lack of a lower guard. I understand about it being the first knife and all. I just think fixed blade knives need some sort of functional guard.

My other question/concern is about the sheath. Not its overall appearance or design. I think they're great. What I can't tell is whether or not there is any welt in it. Just from the naked eye (well, that isn't true, I'm a spectacle wearer) it appears possible the blade edge could have access to the stitching, if there isn't a sold welt, giving enuff space so that couldn't happen. I really like the way Ed Fowler does his pouch sheaths. The shape is very similar to yours. He uses a very thick, and wide welt that stiffens the length of the sheath, and ensures the blade edge never gets near the stitches.

A great first effort, with some real originality to it. I like that a bunch! I sure hope you'll keep showing us your kneves as you progress!
smile.gif


------------------
Asi es la vida

Bugs

[This message has been edited by Bugs3x (edited 06-06-2001).]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top