Old Hickory

[Bighaze51]

Has anyone doing these OH modifications considered bringing it to a higher RC? Seems that it runs low 50 to upper 40s, perfect for kitchen and should make it pretty tough for rough use, but something in the mid to upper 50s should hold the edge longer. I like my OH paring knife but the steel is mighty soft.

I definitely agree with you on that one. I'm planning to get another one soon and was thinking about re-heat treating.

 

[deltablade]

How would u go about reheat treat?

 

[HeavyHanded]

I dunno...I don't think it would be too difficult to do with a torch, but I've never attempted it. Have to heat it up till it is no longer magnetic, quench it, anneal it in an oven - simple!

I'm certain I could screw it up royally! We need someone with clue to respond - plenty of them on the forum.

 

[Bighaze51]

I dunno...I don't think it would be too difficult to do with a torch, but I've never attempted it. Have to heat it up till it is no longer magnetic, quench it, anneal it in an oven - simple!

I'm certain I could screw it up royally! We need someone with clue to respond - plenty of them on the forum.

Just like you said. That's how I would do it. I've heat treated a few knives I made from files that way. It's basically the same steel

 

[deltablade]

I would like to know how your knife holds an edge and will report on how mine does as well. Seems a good spot here to record the performance of these modified Old Hickory blades for edc work.

I posted over in the general forum about a decent small flat ground fixed blade for work. I cut a good bit of cardboard and have to open boxes all the time. I bought a spyderco endura for this and it works wonderfully. However, I'm constantly getting dust and grit in my pivot area and I really bugs me. So I'm thinking, maybe a little fixed blade. I ordered an old hickory 7 inch butcher knife that I'm going to grind and file down to a friendly EDC size. I'm hoping this will accomplish what I'm looking for. I'm thinking about making the blade a clip or drop point and 3 3/4 inches to about 4 and maybe shortening the handle a tad too. I'd like to keep the overall length under 8 inches just so I don't scare anyone by carrying a large fixed blade. If y'all have any suggestions ( hint hint pictures) that would be awesome. I'd love to see what some of you have accomplished with these knives!

 

[Kaizenator]

Hey guys, just wanted to share my progress with y'all. I finished up all the shaping and sanding I'm going to do to this knife. There are a few scratches left that I didn't quite get out but I may deal with that later. I still need to do the final sharpening but I didn't want to cut myself while making the sheath. I still need to do a few finishing touches on the sheath but overall I'm happy with how this project turned out

Your post inspired me to try it myself, I blackened the blade with vinegar and put some baby oil in the handle of my fake old hickory.

 

[Bighaze51]

I would like to know how your knife holds an edge and will report on how mine does as well. Seems a good spot here to record the performance of these modified Old Hickory blades for edc work.

Honestly, I was underwhelmed by the edge retention. Granted, I was carrying a ZDP-189 Endura in my pocket at the time, but I just wasn't happy with the edge holding for EDC. BUT!! If the hardness could be brought up a few points, I think we could be on to something.

 

[Bighaze51]

Your post inspired me to try it myself, I blackened the blade with vinegar and put some baby oil in the handle of my fake old hickory.

That's sweet right there!
I just discovered tru-oil as a handle finish a few weeks ago and I like it better than just a standard oil finish. It leaves a nice shiny finish but it's not thick and plastic looking like a poly finish

 

[Spey]

Personally, the blade steel has held up very well in my OH project knives (made sure not to overheat the steel both during cutting down blade length & grinding primary & secondary bevels). This one is wearing 4.5 degree primary & 15-dps secondary has battoned firewood and feather-sticked on numerous occasions w/o edge damage.

 

[deltablade]

all ready to go after a four day handle soak in Watco Danish oil

 

[Bighaze51]

Just thought I'd update here a little. I saved the tip I cut off my original project and have made a small skinner I'm going to give my bro-in-law for his birthday. It's not quite finished but it's pretty close

Here it is glued up and ready to shape



And here it is sanded down and just about ready for some tru-oil

 

[Jamesh Bond]

Nice work guys.

Higher RC would be interesting. What kinda steel do they run ?

 

[Bighaze51]

I'm think it's just basic old school 1095. I'm going to attempt a retreat at some point just to see what happens