Numbers 3, 4, and 5, in progress

B

Brian.Evans

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Aug 20, 2011
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I started a follow along type thing on my last build and ended up grinding when I was tired and ruining several hours of work. I decided that I wouldn't post anymore works in progress until the knives were done, but I'm going to tempt fate and post numbers 3, 4, and 5 because I'm excited about how they are progressing.

Number 3:
3/32" A2 Bose Zulu Spear pattern. Overall length is about 3 3/4". It's in heat treat right now.
It will have nickel silver bolsters on the nickel silver liners and brown canvas micarta covers.

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Number 4:
0.084" O1-- An original pattern of mine. I'm thinking of calling it something along the lines of a mini hunter.
I wanted a 3" OAL knife to carry......so I'm making one!
This one will be black canvas micarta, liner less with nickel silver shadow pattern type hardware.

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Number 5:
0.084" O1-- Another original pattern, but honestly it's just a swell end. Thick brass scales and purple heart covers. I wanted to go a little old school with a twist on this one. The PH covers are a little thick right now, but once everything is assembled, I'll thin them out a lot. Trying for a sailing knife look and feel. I will either have to do an EO notch or relieve one of the scales a bit on the mark side at the nail nick.

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I posted these here instead of Shop Talk because I'm interested in all of your opinions on shape, function, traditional qualities, etc. I'll accept any criticism or comments. Opinions on long pulls vs nail nicks and swedges (cut or drawn) vs none are especially welcome.
 
Wow keep us posted! I want to try making a folder from scratch. Love seeing how you do it.
 
I get envious and wish I could make my own folders.

I like number 5 the most because it has wooden handles and a sheepfoot blade.
I think a long pull would look better than a nail nick on it. Mostly because I like them better than regular nail nicks, and it would go well with the lines of the knife. Or just make an easy open notch like you mentioned. I'd make a long pull without sanding away too much of the handle, just to keep the straight lines.

If it were up to me number 3 would have a straight handle like a victorinox solo, instead of the hump at the end.

Can you lubricate the knives with micarta handles? I've heard micarta will soak up liquids.

Will you put shields in any of the knives?

I'm looking forward to seeing more from you.

What is a cut or drawn swedge?
 
Impressive work, Brian!

I really like your work. The idea of an EO notch on a sailing knife (sheepfoot blade) is just great. I´m really looking forward seeing more. Really impressive!
 
Those look really nice, especially considering you haven't been doing this for very long. Here's my thoughts on each one.

#3: I'd just go with a drawn swedge and nail nick and call it good.

#4: I like the pattern overall, but it would look better to me if the scales were a little more rounded on the pivot end. That's just a personal aesthetic preference though, and I'm not sure if it would even work with the design of the knife. Definitely a nail nick with this one and a small drawn swedge, if any.

#5: This is my favorite of the three, and purpleheart is beautiful. It's a shame that the bright color can fade over time. Keeping it in a dark pocket and out of the sunlight should help, though. I'd say go with either a nick, drawn swedge, and cutout or keep it simple and do an easy open notch and a cut swedge with no pull.


Thanks for giving us a preview of these knives. It certainly seems like you are off to a great start and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what they look like when completed, however you decide to finish them.:thumbup:
 
Excellent work. Number 3 especially! It looks like a very classy style and I'm a huge fan of the Zulu spear type blades.

Keep us updated, and keep up the great work!

Dan
 
Well.....I had a big long post typed out, but apparently my computer hates me. This is why I make knives rather than build computers. Lets try again.

Fes: thanks sir. One of these days I'll finish up that D2 fixed blade knife for you to test. I know you'd put it through its paces.

Mike: My tools might disappoint you. I have a Harbor Freight portaband for blade steel and liner/cover material, a 9" bench top bandsaw for wood, a bench top drill press, Craftsman 2x42 grinder with some slight mods for knife making. Really the only super specialized stuff I have are Bruce Bump's carbide faced file guide and Fred Rowe's bubble jig, both of which are amazing pieces of equipment. Then of course I have assorted files and sandpaper, a tapered reamer and propane torch for bolsters, spring clamps, etc.

I have been working on a special project for months now. What started as a cutler's steady rest has turned into an entire cutler's work station. It will have a long, low, flat and smooth stiddy for peening only. It has another taller stiddy that is stepped like a traditional one and has holes and a slot drilled in it for tapping out pins, fixing covers without disassembly, etc. Those, coupled with a small 3" vise are mounted on a piece of 8"x8"x1" mild steel plate that is attached to a piece of 1 1/2" 8"x8" white oak that is stained and finished with Danish oil. Everything is inset and flush. I made it heirloom quality to last for years and years. I'll do a post on it later once the stiddies are back from heat treat.

A co-worker's husband runs a laser cutting machine at a grain bin manufacturing facility and he cut the parts for an EERF grinder. Another buddy is trading a set of wheels he turned on his lathe for a knife. I still need a drive wheel and a motor/vfd setup for it, but its kind of expensive, so it is going to have to wait for a while. I am almost done with my rise/fall indicator, which will be a big help too, once it's finished. I saw a guy who made carbide pin head spinners, but I can't remember who it was. I really need a set.

Billym and sogflash: You guys can build slipjoints. It's like anything else, just because you haven't done it doesn't mean you can't. Anyone can do anything, it might just take some people longer to learn. It's going to be a while before I make knives like Lloyd, Menefee, Oesser, Coats, Erickson, et al.

Sogflash: Thanks for your comments on the knives. I've been looking at old sailing knives, but I still haven't decided what I want to do. There will be no changing the lines of the knife, except possibly to add an EO notch. I'm thinking a cut swedge and long pull with an EO.

The #3 is very specific pattern, given to me by the Old Dog himself, Tony Bose. He is a true gentleman, and gives patterns to anyone who asks. It's his Zulu Spear pattern.

I'm almost positive that micarta won't absorb oils. Should be fine for oiling. No shields in any of these. I want to buy the stuff to do in letting, but one thing at a time.

Andi and Jack: Thanks,

Vance: Thanks, I think it has a lot to do with having an established pattern to go from. The knife just flows.

Danny: Thanks. I think for the Zulu I'm going to do a drawn swedge and nail nick. The hunter,am nail nick and no swedging, and the sailing knife.......I'm undecided. I have to think about it more. It could go either way right now. Thanks for your suggestions.

Dan: I love the Zulu pattern. I think this will be the first of many I make.
 
Wow, glad I looked at these! Nice work Medic:thumbup: I like them all:) and look forward to seeing them progress.
 
Nicely done! Congrats and hope they come out the way you want them too. I'd make
sure to cut the long pulls or nail nicks before heat treat. It really doesn't look right if they're
not..imho. Just doesn't have that old school touch if not cut before. That little bit of black
makes a huge difference..imho.

Jason
 
Can't wait to see these finished. I bet they will be fantastic!! The shape of the hunter is very cool.
 
SF, Mark, Geno: Thanks. I am looking forward to seeing how they come out. That's part of the fun, watching the knife develop. The hunter isn't exactly how I drew it originally, but it'll do. :)

Baker: I forgot to cut the nick in the Zulu before I sent it out. It will just have to be ok not being black. It won't be perfect, but it will be Ok.


Here's what I'm thinking on the knives. Nick with a drawn swedge on the Zulu. Long pull with a cut swedge and an EO notch on the sailing knife. And.....a Scagel-esque long hole and maybe a small drawn swedge on the hunter.
 
Looking good Brian.Looking forward to seeing them finished.

Stan
 
Thanks Stan. I really appreciate the tutorial you put up a while ago about soldering bolsters. I used it on my failed 2nd slipjoint, the one I ruined. It worked perfectly, and I didn't even have lines on my bolster to liner junction!
 
Well Done Brian, I really like where you are going with these and I am glad you have made the time to get them done. I am fighting just for a little free time to finish one I have been working on for months....

I am also happy you had the chance to talk to Tony. He is very helpful and open with his time and his patterns work. Takes some of the guesswork out of the equation. When you get a chance ,show us some pics of some of your tools that you have made. Seems like I spend more time on making tools than knives.

Take care and keep up the great work.
Nathan
 
Nathan, I have to get my shop cleaned up, then I'll hopefully be able to do a shop tour. It will be a short one, there isn't much to see.

I got a bit more done on the sailing knife tonight. Hopefully I didn't stuff it all up by grinding this O1 before heat treat. If I did, its a learning experience.

Kind of horrible pictures, but you get the idea. I'm not sure I like how the mark side liner turned out. It may look better with wood on it.

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Oh, and the scagel inspired cutout in the hunter blade is out. No more fancy stuff. I'm going to KISS and just make it basic. Nick and done. No swedge, nothing to mess up on.
 
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