OT: You wouldn't believe it Kis

Sylvrfalcn

Sylvrfalcn

Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
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Bill (Kismet) sent me a couple of old files to make knives out of. Not just any old files, these are a style called, coincidentally, Knife Files (picture a perfectly flat tapered knife blade with no point and file teeth on it). And, they're not just any "old files", they're bonafide antiques produced in the forties-fifties by the Johnson File Company, of "cast crucible steel".

Well now, I couldn't turn these beauts into run of the mill fish gutters and 'tater peelers, no sir. What I've managed to do with the first one is I've produced my first truly home made and fully functional straight razor, handled in some really nice coco bolo slabs. How do I know it's fully functional? Well, I've not gotten a nick or a rash shaving with it the last couple of mornings, so if it ain't a razor don't tell it.

Haven't figured out what I'm going to do with the other one yet, but you can bet it'll be reserved for something special. Sincere thanks Kis,
the first time I shaved my ugly old mug with a razor made by my own hand, I was so full of joy I was giggling.

Sarge
 
Pics?

Did you make it with a fixed handle? The only straight razors I've seen have the hinge thing on em' What hardness are razors generally tempered to?

Dunno if I'd have the nerve to shave with straight razor. I figure I'll keep shaving with my trusty pair of tweezers.
:rolleyes:
 
That makes me very happy. You give a lot, Sarge. It's nice to be able to give something back you don't already have.:)
 
It folds Bruise, hey, dadgum, it's also the first folding knife I've made, ain't that something? I carved the handle scales out of coco bolo, and whittled a shim out of French boxwood as a spacer for the non-hinge end. Used steel finishing nails for the rivets. Don't have an anvil, so I stuck a tomahawk in a log and using it's poll as a mini anvil, carefully tapped the rivets with a hammer until they were well peened on both sides. Whole rig turned out tough and solid, rough as it sounds, it's actually quite handsome and you have to look twice to tell it's not store bought. If I can get my hands on a digital camera I'll try and get some pics up.

Kis, last Saturday I made a six hour round trip to go see a fine old Texas gentleman named Schwettman. He's got a store room full of antlers, all natural sheds collected over the years from neighboring ranches that specialize in big game hunts. He's a bit pricey but worth it, considering if he knows you're a knifemaker he'll let you rummage through his stock until you find just what you're looking for, cajoling you all the while with tales of old Texas. And, his selection includes antlers from whitetail, axis, red, fika, and fallow deers. Why all the fuss? Handle material for the KWWD of course. What's a KWWD? It's a Kismet Wisconsin Whitetail Dissecter. I've got the whole day tomorrow free from distractions so I can focus my energy on grinding a blade worthy of that title. Speaking of the KWWD, are you right or left handed, how wide is your palm held out flat, and do you prefer a finger guard or guardless?

Sarge
 
:eek: KWWD???:)

Right-handed, 3 1/2 inches from side to thumb web. Lower guard if that's not a problem, either works well for me.

(None of this is necessary, you know. You, and this forum, are a gift to me every day.)

(edit: er...don't giggle and shave simultaneously. Trust me on this.)
 
All depends on whom you are shaving.

I can think of any number of doctors and nurses I'd giggle merrily while shaving!

I'll never check into a hospital again without a straight razor in my shaving kit. You understand, just in case I decide to remove the beard I've had for the last 15 years, of course. Ummhmm. Right!

;) ;) ;)

PS: did I mention I really, really dislike some medical persons I've met? Oh, how did you guess?
 
Hey Sarge,
I know you've been busy; but any chance you've had time to take pics of your handiwork yet (I always like to look at it)?
Regards,
Greg

Prayers sent for those going in harms way.
 
Greg, the bad news is I've not gotten my hands on a digital camera yet, the good news is the KWWD is coming along nicely. 4 3/4" drop point blade, a skosh over 3/16" at the spine, and 1 1/8" wide. Handle is a good piece of Axis deer antler, and since Kis wanted a single finger guard I used a nice cast brass "teardrop" style guard from Texas Knifemaker's Supply. Stout little knife, and with the flat/semi-convex grind I put on it, it cuts like a knife ought to. I've got some finishing work to do to pretty it up, and a sheath to make for it, but it won't be long before them deer in Wisconsin are coming apart like they've got zippers on 'em!

Sarge
 
Sarge?

Now if you could just make the deer deaf, and with head colds or sinus infections...oh, and maybe near-sighted...I'd be all set. Ever walk in the woods after the oak trees have shed their leaves? "The master woodsman walks silently through the trees..." my a**! Like walking on bubble wrap!

The KWWD sounds absolutely wonderful. Thank you sir.:)
 
Oh no you did not call me the "S" word, front leaning rest bubba and try to push the earth out of it's orbit while you're down there.

Just kidding, I was brought up to say yes sir, no sir, and thank you sir, as a matter of courtesy. I wince a bit when one of the young officers slips up and calls me sir (no kidding, must be the grey whiskers in my mustache, or maybe I remind 'em of their daddy), but the unkindest cut of all was first time I heard it uttered by an attractive woman. She made eye contact, smiled, walked right up to me, and said, "excuse me SIR, could you tell me what time it is?". A wonder she wasn't knocked flat by the sudden rush of air caused by spontaneous ego deflation ;-)

Sarge
 
I got news for you, Pal...you are a "sir."

It is a title of respect, earned and well-deserved.

There are many such in this forum. Sort of a salt-lick for classy folks.:)

(even cave-dwellers and that cranky ndn)
 
For your information, the overhang of my sidewalk at the front door has a 50 pound block of salt just outside of the door's swing. Perfect place for a cat to become a statue, temporarily.

What else would you expect of me? ( Umm, before you answer that remember that I'm a moderator with immense powers... )
 
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