Need opinion on new batch of blades

L

lukus

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May 30, 2007
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I've got a batch of blades (about 2 dozen) that I'll be sending to heat treat this month. Several of the designs are EDC or B.O.B. type blades. I round the edges of the spine for comfort and so a baton doesn't get so chewed up if it's being used that way.

Since the spine is rounded you can't use it to strike a firesteel. My question is about putting a firesteel striker notch about a third of the way down (on the spine) from the tip. I would probably use a 1/4 or a 3/8 inch round file and make a notch about 1/8 inch deep. That would give it a nice sharp striker edge that would contour the firesteel and throw a better spark. Obviously, it's much easier to do this before heat treat. So my question is should I do it to these blades? I want the cons....why you wouldn't do it. Some people probably won't like the asthetics of the notch. What other reasons to not do it? I want your ideas and opinions, because once I take the file to the blade it's permanent.

thanks,
lukus
 
I like the idea. I've thought of similar before, particularly the rounded profile for better contact. I would go with the 3/8" as it will work with any size firesteel.

It would weaken the blade to an extent; whether it's enough to be an issue depends I suppose on the design and how hard it was used. I wouldn't imagine the size of notch your talking about being much of a problem though especially as it is rounded.

I don't have a problem personally from an aesthetics viewpoint - I tend toward practical rather than looks though.
 
lukus said:
I've got a batch of blades (about 2 dozen) that I'll be sending to heat treat this month. Several of the designs are EDC or B.O.B. type blades. I round the edges of the spine for comfort and so a baton doesn't get so chewed up if it's being used that way.

Since the spine is rounded you can't use it to strike a firesteel. My question is about putting a firesteel striker notch about a third of the way down (on the spine) from the tip. I would probably use a 1/4 or a 3/8 inch round file and make a notch about 1/8 inch deep. That would give it a nice sharp striker edge that would contour the firesteel and throw a better spark. Obviously, it's much easier to do this before heat treat. So my question is should I do it to these blades? I want the cons....why you wouldn't do it. Some people probably won't like the asthetics of the notch. What other reasons to not do it? I want your ideas and opinions, because once I take the file to the blade it's permanent.

thanks,
lukus
Click to expand...

I wouldn't do it. A knife is not needed for a firesteel as even a sharp rock or piece of glass will work. With the amount of work required to turn out a nice knife, I would want to preserve the esthetics. Just my opinion, of course, I'm sure others will differ.

Besides, a notch can always be added after by the owner, but a notch can't be filled in.

Doc
 
I wouldnt because I find when i tried the notch approach - it threw huge sparks but not at all different to a hacksaw blade. The downside being that it wore through very quickly and soon the firesteel was smaller than the notch and the sparks were smaller.
 
Hey Guys..

Lukas...

I'd prefer a small area close to the spine that is squared off personally over a notch...

However just my opinion..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Normark said:
Lukas...
I'd prefer a small area close to the spine that is squared off personally over a notch...
However just my opinion..
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing. Otherwise, leave them as they are.
Chris
 
I dunno. Making knives is about being creative. I'd like to see what you come up with. Though, I warn: sparks from a firesteel are 3000 degrees. I've noticed discoloration on blades that I use to strike a striker. Certainly its ugly, that doesn't bother me, but if one of those sparks hit the edge that heat could make that spot soft. I've worried about that enough that I'm considering rounding my spines to prevent usage for this. Anybody else had a problem with this?
 
Andy,
I think that if that did happen that the soft spot would not be very deep at all. The sparks are very hot but also very short lived, I can't imagine them heating the steel very deeply. The spine on my favorite knife is marked up and looks ugly but it doesn't bother me and I don't think it harms the integrity of the knife. Chris
 
I'd rather have a seperate striker for my ferro rod. On carbon steel, if left unattended, the area where you are striking will rust right quick.
Scott
 
Hey Guys..

Fiddleback...

I'm not expert in HT, however personally I don't think that mere seconds of heat from a Firesteel will have any effect on the HT what so ever...

Keep in mind that it's on the very surface, and only lasts a second or two at the most..Would take alot more heat for much longer periods of time to cause and malfunction of the HT...

Discoloration may be a problem, however it's just a stain..I've use a firesteel on my 760 mora quite a bit and it's always rubbed right off..
Now I don't know if it would stain more on a carbon blade...

I think you'll Be alright with that....

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
I'll defer to you guys. Just thinking aloud.
 
I'm no expert but I am going to ask anyways. Wouldn't an appropriately sized choil work just as well and also be aesthetically pleasing.
 
Thanks for all the input. I'll leave them off, although not as easy, they can be added after heat treat.

The design of the knives, especially the way it's securely locked into the sheath preclude much of a choil. One of those things where a picture is worth a thousand words, so you'll have to wait. I'll post pictures when I finish them up.

thanks again,
lukus
 
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