Next project.. CPM-S35VN RAT 2

Lythyum · Jul 21, 2017

I'll post more pictures when I'm done, or even progress pictures if you guys would like. I picked up a Rat 2 and really like it but it could use better blade steel and I found out last week that USAknifemaker.com is located in my city so I stopped in to see what they had. I picked up some CPM-S35VN for $17 which should be enough for my blade and a friend's benchmade... who knows maybe I'll even make my Gerber paraframe into a not-shitty knife. I'll be making some Kirinite Lava handle scales too.

HowAmI · Jul 22, 2017

This will be an interesting thread. Please update us with your progress, when you start.

Lythyum · Jul 23, 2017

So far I've located a few places that can heat treat s35, and started profiling the kirinite. Eventually I would like to make some nice wood handles but I'll practice on these.

Lythyum · Jul 23, 2017

off to a good start

HowAmI · Jul 24, 2017

There are a few services I'm not sure I'm allowed to mention them but they're quite respected.

Cereal_killer · Jul 24, 2017

I think most people use peters for S35Vn

Lythyum · Jul 25, 2017

Cereal_killer said:
I think most people use peters for S35Vn

That's where I'll probably be sending this one. Pretty pricey for just one blade but eventually I might make more if there is a market for S35VN Rat blades.

Cereal_killer · Jul 25, 2017

When compared to the price per blade when doing it in a batch sure it's "pretty pricey", now compare it to the cost to get setup to heat treat at home (and don't forget to assign some value to the time it'll take you to learn a tiny fraction of what they know)...

~40 bucks WELL spent!

Lythyum · Jul 31, 2017

Cereal_killer said:
When compared to the price per blade when doing it in a batch sure it's "pretty pricey", now compare it to the cost to get setup to heat treat at home (and don't forget to assign some value to the time it'll take you to learn a tiny fraction of what they know)...

~40 bucks WELL spent!

No doubt. For a great EDC knife with (then) great steel it will be a nice little knife to carry around, and possibly a good conversation starter if I ever run into someone who is knowledgeable about knives.

Got some fresh phosphor bronze washers in and replaced the teflon shims today. I really need to get started on this blade, I was just waiting on a finding a drill press which I now have access to. Hoping for a finished grind in ~ a week if my metric drill bits arrive.