- Joined
- Jan 28, 2007
- Messages
- 1,236
I've gotten serious about building a big knife.
This all started a few weeks ago, when I was thinking about - of all people - Skammer and his Busse Battle Mistress.
I remember he used to talk about how a big knife was so much better than an axe and his need for one tool etc, etc. Frankly I never really bought in to his approach, mainly because I think for most problems there are a lot of good solutions.
But one thing he said that I did think was quite true was that often, you don't need big axe chopping power. You need the more machete-like ability to cut poles that are unsupported, say for making shelter. I think that's quite true, and it's something an axe doesn't do very well at.
Of course it's also pretty easy to just bend over a thinnish evergreen and rock a sharp knife through it at the bend...but I'm getting off topic.
The point is I thought I might like to have something that is halfway between a machete and an axe. A big knife that chops, but also slices, with a long edge. That's really the only advantage over an axe that I can think of, anyway.
I thought about buying a Battle Mistress but they are pretty pricey...I can't really justify the cost at this time. And you know I am not a big fan of choils, either. Also I mistakenly believed they didn't go for convex grinds at Busse, although yesterday I found out they do some of those.
But guys like Scott Gossman do nice big convexed knives...I thought I might like one of his but there is quite a wait. Why not make my own?
So I drew up something that was pretty similar to those Nuclear Meltdown Battle Mistresses, but subtracted everything I didn't want and tonight I started grinding.
Here is the rough shape:
Then I smoothed it out. I also laid that front edge on a flat block with 180 grit wet/dry paper and slid it back and forth until the edge was straight as an arrow.
Here it is after smoothing it out a bit, next to a BRKT Aurora for scale. I'm not really done with the handle...it is a little too bulgy still. But I will sort that out later.
Next I started grinding the profile in. That's why I haven't finished off the handle shape...I have my belt grinder slacked off and the guide is off it, so I wouldn't be able to get a good flat grind. Anyway, this is 1/4" stock. I scribed a line down the center of the blade, then I started grinding. I took off 0.075" from one side, and then took this picture.
That went pretty well. I have been making a pass on the grinder, then inspecting the blade. I keep my calipers right there, and make a lot of measurements, just so that I am sure that everything is being ground evenly. I also have flourescent shop lights above the bench, so I can line up the lights with the knife and roll it back and forth in my hand, watching the reflection to make sure it is straight all the time. That way, I know I am grinding everything very evenly. So far it has gone pretty well.
I left the one side alone for a bit and went to work on side 2. Here it is after I took 0.050" off:
And one last shot...went a little crazy on the aperature there I guess! Depth of field maybe a little short eh! But I was hoping to get a clear picture of the convexedness...not sure if that really worked out or not.
So to you guys who were answering my chopper grind questions, look what you've gone and facilitated! I don't think I can stand to grind much more today and tomorrow is a busy day, but I will probably do some more this weekend.
Steel is O1, I don't think I mentioned that. Jesus that stuff isn't real cheap, either, is it! Length overall is 17.25", blade is 2.375" at the widest point. There will be a bit of a hammer poll when I am done, I think, although if I don't like it I can always grind it off.
Anyway that's been my day! What do you think?
This all started a few weeks ago, when I was thinking about - of all people - Skammer and his Busse Battle Mistress.
I remember he used to talk about how a big knife was so much better than an axe and his need for one tool etc, etc. Frankly I never really bought in to his approach, mainly because I think for most problems there are a lot of good solutions.
But one thing he said that I did think was quite true was that often, you don't need big axe chopping power. You need the more machete-like ability to cut poles that are unsupported, say for making shelter. I think that's quite true, and it's something an axe doesn't do very well at.
Of course it's also pretty easy to just bend over a thinnish evergreen and rock a sharp knife through it at the bend...but I'm getting off topic.
The point is I thought I might like to have something that is halfway between a machete and an axe. A big knife that chops, but also slices, with a long edge. That's really the only advantage over an axe that I can think of, anyway.
I thought about buying a Battle Mistress but they are pretty pricey...I can't really justify the cost at this time. And you know I am not a big fan of choils, either. Also I mistakenly believed they didn't go for convex grinds at Busse, although yesterday I found out they do some of those.
But guys like Scott Gossman do nice big convexed knives...I thought I might like one of his but there is quite a wait. Why not make my own?
So I drew up something that was pretty similar to those Nuclear Meltdown Battle Mistresses, but subtracted everything I didn't want and tonight I started grinding.
Here is the rough shape:
Then I smoothed it out. I also laid that front edge on a flat block with 180 grit wet/dry paper and slid it back and forth until the edge was straight as an arrow.
Here it is after smoothing it out a bit, next to a BRKT Aurora for scale. I'm not really done with the handle...it is a little too bulgy still. But I will sort that out later.
Next I started grinding the profile in. That's why I haven't finished off the handle shape...I have my belt grinder slacked off and the guide is off it, so I wouldn't be able to get a good flat grind. Anyway, this is 1/4" stock. I scribed a line down the center of the blade, then I started grinding. I took off 0.075" from one side, and then took this picture.
That went pretty well. I have been making a pass on the grinder, then inspecting the blade. I keep my calipers right there, and make a lot of measurements, just so that I am sure that everything is being ground evenly. I also have flourescent shop lights above the bench, so I can line up the lights with the knife and roll it back and forth in my hand, watching the reflection to make sure it is straight all the time. That way, I know I am grinding everything very evenly. So far it has gone pretty well.
I left the one side alone for a bit and went to work on side 2. Here it is after I took 0.050" off:
And one last shot...went a little crazy on the aperature there I guess! Depth of field maybe a little short eh! But I was hoping to get a clear picture of the convexedness...not sure if that really worked out or not.
So to you guys who were answering my chopper grind questions, look what you've gone and facilitated! I don't think I can stand to grind much more today and tomorrow is a busy day, but I will probably do some more this weekend.
Steel is O1, I don't think I mentioned that. Jesus that stuff isn't real cheap, either, is it! Length overall is 17.25", blade is 2.375" at the widest point. There will be a bit of a hammer poll when I am done, I think, although if I don't like it I can always grind it off.
Anyway that's been my day! What do you think?
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