My first time using CF - 3 little knives

[Ruben Calo]

Ariel still hasn't got time to use the CF panels he bought, so he gave me one to use in some of my knives. Here's what I came up with.

It was my first time using carbon fiber, and I found it very easy to drill and cut, but extremely hard to sand.

Please let me know what you think.

Regards,


Ruben


Some designs I drew to see what I wanted to make.

Knife designs drawn on the steel bars.

Comparing sizes with a small blade I use to cut leather, as that's the lenght I wanted for this knives.

Designs on steel and the first roughly ground blade.

Grinding a blade.

Blade after grinder. The knife starts to show from the steel.

 

[Ruben Calo]

Drilling the steel for the pins and to lighten the weight of the overall finished knife.

Drawing some blueprints for the filed thumb rests.

First marking for the filed thumb rests.

After the initial markings with the saw, it comes the file.

Filed thumb rest.

All three filework models (thumb rests are finished, the end ones still not)

 

[Ruben Calo]

Blades almost ready for heat treatment.

Knife almost ready for heat treatment.

After the first tempering, I made a second one at lower temperatures to relief tensions.

Knives after heat treatment.

3 blades already heat treated with a first polish.

One of the blades ready to receive the slabs and bolsters.

.15625

Cutting the CF.

Drilling the CF for the pins.

Presenting a piece of CF on an already bolstered knife.

 

[Ruben Calo]

Finished knives

Blade lenght:
Overall lenght:
Steel: N678 stainless steel (similar to AUS 8)
Thickness: 4,2mm (right in the middle between 5/32" and 3/16")
Bolsters in 316 stainless steel, carbon fiber handle slabs and hand made leather sheaths.

Bigger picture:
http://www.calocustomknives.com.ar/images/3tactCF1_bigger.jpg

Bigger picture:
http://www.calocustomknives.com.ar/images/3tactCF2_bigger.jpg

Bigger picture:
http://www.calocustomknives.com.ar/images/3tactCF3_bigger.jpg

Bigger picture:
http://www.calocustomknives.com.ar/images/3tactCF5_bigger.jpg

Bigger picture:
http://www.calocustomknives.com.ar/images/3tactCF6_bigger.jpg

 

[Ruben Calo]

 

[rebeltf]

I love the way you do step by step photos , helps a total amatuer like me understand all the processes better.
What did you use to blacken your filework ? I have used etching,bluing and black enamel , I think I like etching the best , thus far.
Those are handsome blades

 

[Ruben Calo]

Thank you

I just left those parts untouched from the HT, I didn't add anything to make them darker, as they were dark enough.

Regards,

Ruben

 

[P. Nelson]

Nice looking knives, thanks for the step by step photos.

 

[Chiro75]

Ruben, first of all those are great knives! For me, personally, I think contouring carbon fiber to get past the outer woven layer and really expose the randomness of the fibers beneath is where CF really shine, but those are really cool knives!

Secondly, the pics are great and I loved seeing a step by step of how you make knives. Gave me some great ideas! Really cool thread! Thanks!

 

[Ruben Calo]

Thank you

I'll see to contour the CF when I work with it again, I like it very much so I'm planning on use it again.

Regards,

Ruben

 

[blgoode]

Boy, you make that look easy!! Nice

 

[RDT]

Ruben, did you use a Bench grinder with a stone wheel???? That's what it looks like. That is very impressive. Excellent pics and instruction!....Rich

 

[Tom Militano]

What kind of camera are you using for the pictures? I was wondering the same thing about the bench grinder. Nice knives by the way.

 

[Ruben Calo]

Rich, I always start with a bench grinder with a 36 grit stone, as I keep progressing I change it to a 60 grit and then I finish it with a band grinder.

Tom, the camera is an Olympus Camedia 740.

Regards,

Ruben

 

[RDT]

I used to yuse a bench grinder as well in the beginning. It's very difficult! That stones has no give and the rattle is strong. Very impressive Ruben! Nice work....Rich