Pocket Tanto

N

ncrobb

Joined
Dec 11, 2011
Messages
21
I made one of these little chisel ground tantos with red jigged bone scales for myself about a month ago and then made the mistake of showing it to a couple guys. The blade is roughly 2-1/2" long with a 5-1/2" overall length. This one has amber jigged bone scales and a lanyard hole per my buddy's request. This is only the fifth knife I have completed and I still basically have no clue. I was asked for a satin finish so I sanded it parallel to the spine with 400 grit and then gave it a light rubbing with white compound. The pocket sheath works just like a clip on a pocket knife but I am little worried that the knife will come out too easily after the leather breaks in. I have been working with files and an old 6x48 belt sander but I am looking forward to upgrading in the near future. Special thanks to BarryC for taking time out of his Saturday to help me properly heat treat several 1095 blades. This is one of them.

Robb




 
That is very nice! I really like that sheath too. If I may ask, how did you heat treat your 1095? I work with 1095 and 1080 when I can get it but I get mixed results and end up having to do it twice.
 
The one I carry I heated the blade in charcoal (Kingsford BBQ charcoal) until it was non-magnetic and quenched it in canola oil heated to 130F. The amber bone was heated in a oven to 1500F and quenched in a oil with properties similar to Parks 50. I don't recall the name of the oil, it was heat treated at another guy's shop. Both were tempered in the oven for two hours and two cycles letting it cool to room temp in between. The red one I carry was at 400F and the amber one I did at 450F. They both sharpen up rather easily and both hold an edge well. So far I can't tell much difference in the blades. I gave them both the same test. Sharpen until it shaves, cut heavy cardboard, cut leather, whittle on some old pine boards and then more cardboard. They both lost a little edge but a quick stropping brought them both back to shaving sharpness. Most everybody tells me that 1080 or 1084 is much easier to get a good heat treat on than 1095.

Robb
 
No, I haven't tried double grinding one. The chisel grind has worked pretty good for me so on this profile far except the cut likes to walk away from the bevel. Two of the other knives I have made where double ground but the profiles where different.
 
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