Repurposing a battered 'Old Hickory'

T

tony ennis

Joined
Dec 12, 2009
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I got an abused Old Hickory knife from an antique dealer the other day... I said, "How much?" and he looks at it and says, "Uhh... Why don't you just take it."

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=355343&l=effd829f78&id=1834210101

You see a wreck, I see donor steel. :thumbup:

Now I want to convert it to a reasonably period (1700's) but very functional patch-knife for black powder shooting.

Clearly, I have never done this before. How about this:

1. Scribe the new profile of blade.
2. hacksaw off what I can taking care not to bend the blade.
3. Grind to the line+a hair all the way around.
4. File to the line.
5. Fit a more appropriate handle.
6. Sharpen.

I know I mustn't let the blade get too hot.

Otherwise, I'd be happy to hear anything you have to say.

Sorry if this is the wrong sub-forum. This does seem like tinkering, compared to making a real knife.
 
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Tony, that is ruff! The price was right:thumbup:! I think you're on the right path. My question is, can you salvage the handle that's on it now, or, do you want a different material? Please lets us know how it turns out, we love this kind of stuff. (I know I do!)
 
The handle is dry and helpfully says, "vegetable" on the side. I have some cherry, white oak, red oak, and walnut in the barn. I bet I could get antler if I chatted with a taxidermist. I'm leaning toward cherry. I also haven't decided if I'm going to drill/fill the handle for a tang or rivet the blade back. I think I have a little brass rod suitable for rivets.
 
I see what you see, Tony. Great idea! Personally, I would go for a roach belly or some other type of patch knife, like you were saying. I would rehandle it, too. I like your approach and don't see any problems with it. If you have a dremel, it might make cutting quicker than a hacksaw, but keep that blade as cool as you can. If you have a extra course diamond stone, like a DMT Duo Sharp, or similar, it might come in handy. Regardless, your thinking is sound and you should come out with quite a nice little patch knife that you will carry with pride.

I'd sure like to see a progress thread with plenty of pictures and explanations as you go along. I think other forum members would too. It is great when people salvage these fine knives and repurpose them into users rather than sending them to a landfill. Have you given any thought to the sheath?
 
I'll look up 'roach belly.'

I'll be happy to post pictures. But they will likely do more harm than good - I am not a knife maker. I'm a guy with an old knife ;)

Sheaths... haven't thought much about it. I have an old dead belt that might be wide enough. Or I can visit The Hippie at the local leather place. He'll sell me a scrap I bet. And a needle. And whatever else I need.
 
There you go, Tony! That's the spirit! And if you are doing this, guess what? You are a knife maker! lol Best of luck to you, Tony. I can't wait to see what you come up with. Don't worry about trying to impress anyone but yourself. Whatever you create will shine.
 
It would seem I am not the first person to be in this situation ;)

oh-7504.jpg


Note that knife edge where it meets the handle. There ain't no way.

-=-=-=-

Here's a fetching roach belly.

KE0652.jpg
 
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Some folks have used edge grinders for this work. It is very fast, but controlling temp's are a problem. Other guys I know have filled a 5 gal bucket with water, and ground it in the water, which keeps it cool. You gotta be careful how far into the water you go, or you could electrocute yourself...
 
May not be an "Old Hickory", but it is made by the same company and fairly old. I'd venture it's the same knife, rebranded.
 
With a blade that thin, I would do everything with hand tools. You'll kill the temper the second that thing touches a grinder. It shouldn't take too long to shape that little guy with a hacksaw, files and sandpaper.

Cool project! I've been thinking about tinkering with some Old Hickory knives myself. :thumbup:
 
Well, I'm back to this now. Had some reality happen :-D

Anyway, I drove the pins out of the handle and the blade came out. I Dykem'ed the blade and scribed an edge profile on it. I put the steel in the vise and found my hacksaw will not cut the steel - it skates right off! The saw itself is a good saw and the blade is a good brand too.

Well, I wanted good steel... When the gods wish to punish us, they grant our wishes!

So, what's the alternative? I was hoping that I wouldn't have to anneal it - I've never made a knife before and I'm trying to get off easy, lol.
 
Use an abrasive disc in your Dremel tool, hold it steady, and stay 1/8-3/16 off the line. You don't have to slot the whole edge, make it a dashed line with about 1/4 between slots.

Parker
 
Some thread necromancy here.

Been working my tail off at work - the life of a programming contractor...

Anyway, I decided to get back on this. I was unable to reshape the blade with files so used the grinder. I didn't let it get hot. I made a new handle from cherry. I spent an hour or so this evening drilling holes for the rivets and sanding.

I'll give it a smoother-grit sanding tomorrow then make and inlay the brass 'rivet washers'... whatever they're called.

I intend to make a pouch sheath for it.

Pics soon.
 
I pretty much failed tonight at making the rivet burrs (that's the proper name of the 'washer.')

I have a piece of brass stock 1/4" x 1/16" x 12". I want to make 4 diamonds each .4" x .25"

They are pretty small. Any ideas on how to make these?
 
Not really what you want to hear, but use an abrasive disc in your Dremel tool, hold it steady, and stay 1/8-3/16 off the line... (Drill the holes first.)

Are you the same guy that asked how to remove dental plaque on the hygiene forum? My answer was the same there.

Show us some pics, man. I've got several OH's just waiting for me to get inspired (and some spare time between farm chores).

Parker
 
Are you the same guy that asked how to remove dental plaque on the hygiene forum?
Click to expand...

Thankfully no.

I need to be *on* the line, not close to it. I have a vise with smooth jaws. It's generally too small to be useful. But for making these little parts it should do the trick. The next four burrs will be keepers.

I'll post pics when I get them cut out.... successfully.

I got my sheath leather today. That will be its own adventure.
 
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