No 67 - "Flint" Grind Test

ddavelarsen

ddavelarsen

Joined
Dec 7, 2000
Messages
5,179
I've had a project in mind for many years that would require grinding the blade to look like flint, in the manner of many makers of the 80s up to today. But I could never figure out how to pull it off.

Meanwhile I've been admiring some of the integral handles Jens Anso has been doing with a sort of "cupped out" texture and one day it just popped into my head: that's the solution to grinding the flint blade!

So I took a blank that'd been laying on my bench for a couple of years and took a shot at it. Turned out better than I had any right to expect and I think I learned enough to persue my real project...

Overall Length: 8 5/8"
Blade: 4" O1 with Plum Brown patina
Guard is brass
Handle is Gidgee, mosaic pin

I will offer the standard apology for my poor photography. :rolleyes: :)

67Combo.jpg


Just a note about this beautiful wood. This was a gift from the late, great Australian knife smith Lloyd Harding, contemporary and friend of Bob Loveless and mentor to our own Reg Ellery.

Reg has been compiling an anthology of all of Lloyd's work; when completed it'll be one of the finest documents of any maker's work ever done. Lloyd was a great man and stupendous maker. I've missed our correspondence more than I can say and frankly I barely knew him.

So in my mind, this is "Lloyd's Knife." I hope you like it.
 
I love it. That really makes the whole package look fantastic.
 
Wow Dave, that's a really cool blade - really. The color of the steel, the 'waterfall' effect on the blade. I must say not every adventure turns out this nice. Great package.

Steve

I don't suppose you're gonna let us in on how you did it.
 
Dave that is really nice, and a fitting tribute to Lloyd. You know I keep looking through my treasure bag of wood that Lloyd sent me as well thinking that I need to make something soon with some of it. That knife came out great, (and I recognize the influence on the handle shape!) Well done!
 
I've been admiring the blades that look like knapped flint also, and I think you've done an awesome job of capturing the look. If you don't mind me asking, what ended up being the tool or technique that let you acomplish it?
 
Thanks guys, this one was fun. AwP, I used a 3/4" contact wheel and held the blade vertically, just touching against the wheel imagining I was flaking stone. I finally figured out to work from the point toward the ricasso, and from the center out. (First I'd convex ground the blade to its basic shape and heat treated it.)
 
Back in the mid-80's those knapped-flint-look blades were going around. Seeing yours now reminds me of how much I liked the look. Nicely done, Dave. :D
 
Damn Dave! That's cool. The whole thing looks great and that's neat the way you logo'ed it on the top of the guard. Very neat, very cool & very creative.
 
I really like the overall look of this knife, but that blade is just too freakin' cool looking! Outstanding execution, Dave!


All the best,
Mike U.
 
Dave, that really is a beautiful piece. Have to put that on the list of things to try.....I really like the flint knapped look and the oevall package. Thanks for sharing.
Ed
 
For what it's worth guys, I took this and a couple of others into my favorite gun shop the other day and this was the one everyone was reaching for. It was different enough to make an impression, and I sold it almost instantly. (That always makes me think I don't charge enough. :D ) Since this knife was so quick to make I'm seriously thinking of adding something similar to my regular "line."

But first I'm gonna make the knife this was a test for... :D

Thanks again for all the kind words. Dan I've been trying to come up with a sheath other than my regular old pouch style and kinda like this one myself. It was an experiment too of course. I've been looking for a way to install the snap so that brush or whatever bumps against the strap wouldn't be as likely to pop it open as it does when the strap just goes over the guard and snaps to the front of the sheath. This way the edge of the strap "trails" one's direction of movement and it seems more secure. I don't know if that makes any sense, and I hope it works.
 
Dave, that's great! As usual, fella! I have been tempted to try that flint knap grind, but never had the nerve to try. Beautiful looking knife, big guy.
 
Very nice. Daft question - do you just use one grit, or do you progress through them? I'm imagining that trying to match the previous grooves could be a bit of a pig...

Peter
 
Dave, you are gettin' pretty fancy with your leather work, too! I'm going to have to give our old pal Abe some flack. Yours (with your permission) would be a great pattern. Ol' Abe asks how you are doing. I tell him,"Heck, how's Dave doing? Just look at his knives and sheaths"!
 
ddavelarsen said:
Dan I've been trying to come up with a sheath other than my regular old pouch style and kinda like this one myself. It was an experiment too of course. I've been looking for a way to install the snap so that brush or whatever bumps against the strap wouldn't be as likely to pop it open as it does when the strap just goes over the guard and snaps to the front of the sheath. This way the edge of the strap "trails" one's direction of movement and it seems more secure. I don't know if that makes any sense, and I hope it works.
Click to expand...

sure it does good coverage and easy to take out and safe keeping.
it'a hard to beat a good tight pouch,,but that looks like it will cover all the bases.. :)
 
Peter, I just used one grit for the "knaps" - 220. I might try it at 400 next time to get a better finish but would have to use a sharp belt and hold it steady in the groove longer.

John, thanks for the kind words! Tell Abe I'm doin fine and he's welcome to use any pattern he sees anywhere. :D Tell him Hello from me too. Gotta get over to your part of the woods one of these days again!

Dan I like pouch sheaths too, even though I usually make em too tight. :D

Y'all take care and thanks again.
 
Thats a sweet one Dave! Love the shape and finishes also the sheath is a new style to me. Do You mind if I make a sheath like yours?
 
Thanks for the kind words Bruce! I'd be honored if anyone took any ideas from me, have at the sheath. :D
 
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