noob

E

Edmonton_hunter

Joined
Jul 23, 2008
Messages
68
Hi all my first post here but Ive been lurking for a bit now reading and learning ( i hope)
I'm gonna try my hand at a fixed blade hunting knife with deer antler scales
made from a used up 10" circular saw blade
I'm the kind or person who needs to plan and re plan things b4 I start and after a solid week of drawing and cardboard cutouts I have finalised my design gonna take a crack at it here I'll post pics as I go along and will most likely have many questions for all you who are willing to share your knowledge
feel more that free to post tips and suggestions any help will be appreciated
thanks
edmonton_hunter
 
From what I've heard, that sawblade won't make a good knife. I'd find some known steel. I've made plenty from Big Old Sawblades and Fereriers Rasps. At least test it first and see if it will harden.
 
i haven't done any work with deer antler, but based on what i've read it can be tricky to work, and i understand somewhat expensive.

i would suggest working with some basic wood to start with. you can get some small pieces from the local lumber yard cheap or free in some cases. i helped my friend make a knife blade, and when he went to the lumberyard to get a piece of hardwood for the handle, he said that he went to the cash register with a knife-handle-size off cut and the guy just laughed and told him not to worry about it.

i would suggest seeing if there's a chance you could find a knife maker in your area that you could chat with or maybe even get some shop time in with...watching a maker do his thing is really neat, and can teach you alot.

if you can't find anyone in you area, you might be able to find someone that you could chat on the phone with about it, that could help answer any of your questions
 
Welcome to the Forums.
A circular saw blade almost always has a body made from steel that is not usable for knife blades. I would suggest getting some steel from a knife supply catalog or a metal supplier. The antler will be fine, but does have some of its own quirks. Please post any questions here or email me with any problems that arise.
Stacy
 
Welcome to BladeForums E.hunter :thumbup:

You've certainly come to the right place for your first knife build. Like everyone else has suggested though, get some "known" steel so that your first knife isn't in vain. Nothing sucks more than putting a bunch of time and effort into a knife using steel that won't respond to heat treat.
 
And another vote for get some good steel. a 3' piece of 1084 of the width and thickness you want to use would be money well spent. If you are going to have it sent out to HT look in the for sales here and get some air hardening steel. Even if the first one doesn't come out as beautiful as the one in your mind it will be a real knife. Jim
 
siguy said:
i haven't done any work with deer antler, but based on what i've read it can be tricky to work, and i understand somewhat expensive.
Click to expand...

hey there, the whole reason I got yhe idea to make my own knife was because I work antler with my dremmel tool I make small things like pendants and buttons rings ect and found this forum looking to buy a pre made blade to work a handle for. I have piles of sheds in the basement so not too worried about the cost as I find them in my hunting area while scouting.

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=719191
this thread on Archerytalk is where I got the idea to use a circular saw blade
seemed like a good idea and he gets good results...


I dont have any actual knife making tools was planning on using my dremmel and a table grinder then hand sanding and mabey then a polishing wheel on the dremmel
 
Some saw blades may be ok and some are garbage for knife steel, some has a mild steel body and tool steel tips. plus there is the whole Heat treat issue. Was the whole saw tool steel and all the blade heat treated or just the tips. If you go to heat treat it what kind of steel was it so you can do a good job of hardening and tempering. Why spend a whole lot of time and energy on a maybe. You can get a decent piece of good steel for very little. I will even mail you a piece of 5160 steel and you can hacksaw it file it until you have what you want and sent it to back to me and I will harden and temper it, All you pay is postage. You can ten send me a piece of antler big enough for a decent handle, Hows that. I saw another maker offer a similar deal to a new guy and as I thought it a great idea I will follow suit. Jim
 
ib2v4u said:
Some saw blades may be ok and some are garbage for knife steel, some has a mild steel body and tool steel tips. plus there is the whole Heat treat issue. Was the whole saw tool steel and all the blade heat treated or just the tips. If you go to heat treat it what kind of steel was it so you can do a good job of hardening and tempering. Why spend a whole lot of time and energy on a maybe. You can get a decent piece of good steel for very little. I will even mail you a piece of 5160 steel and you can hacksaw it file it until you have what you want and sent it to back to me and I will harden and temper it, All you pay is postage. You can ten send me a piece of antler big enough for a decent handle, Hows that. I saw another maker offer a similar deal to a new guy and as I thought it a great idea I will follow suit. Jim
Click to expand...


Take the deal! Take the deal! Take the deal!

Jim is a great guy and will do a first rate job on the heat treat for you.

p.s.
Jim,
Are you going to make it the BBQ this year?
 
Scott, yes I am coming down to the show and was wondering if you were gonna be cooking again this year. Only a little over a month to go. Jim
 
I have your drawing and will get you a piece of 5160 heated your way. It will come soft so you can drill, file, grind and sand it to shape. Then when it is ready I will harden and temper it for you. We all get pictures as you go along Jim
 
thanks ib2v4u cant wait till it gets here so I can get to work
what did you think of the design? constructive criticism is welcomed
 
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