RyanW SPK Passaround WIP

The schrade you pictured was my woods knife for many years, and I loved it.
Your design seems the perfect evolution of the knife.
Someday, when I have the money, one of those will be mine.
 
Great thread. I'm learning a lot! Thanks for taking the time to document and describe your process so carefully. This one is definitely going to go in my bookmarks. I particularly like seeing how you accomplish the gorgeous handles that you regularly turn out. I like the idea of using paper towel strips on the clamps. I bet it provides a little cushion as well so you can clamp down tighter without worrying about marring the wood too, eh? Excited to see more, thanks for sharing!
 
Thanks Ironwood, Crimson and Jonny, I appreciate it!

SPKWIP015-1.jpg

60. After the Epoxy cures for 24 Hrs. I pull the clamps off and carefully square all the flats and around the tang on the Grinder. I then use the 10" and 4" Wheels to shape and contour the handle scales how i want them. Paying close attention to make both sides symmetrical.

61. After I have the rough shape where I want it I take Sandpaper on a roll and cut them into thin strips so that I can hold an end in each hand and round the edges using an up and down motion.

62. I then work the entire handle with a fiber backed micarta sanding block. I start with 150 Grit, then 320 Grit making sure to sand with the grain of the wood.

63. after I have a nice clean 320 Grit finish I take out the tung oil and apply it liberally and let sit for 20 Minutes. Then Sand with 600 Grit, Apply Tung oil again and let sit. and so on up through the grits until I have a finish I like.

I Finished the sheath up as well today, I did not take photos of that process!

The Finished Knife and sheath...
RyanWSPK75.jpg

SPKinSheath.jpg

SPKAngle.jpg

SPKFinger.jpg


That Curly Mahogony is Beautiful Stuff!
RyanWSPKLogo.jpg


And here we have my larger SPK, Along with the original Sharpfinger for comparison.
RyanWSPKCompare.jpg


Thanks for following this, we are not quite finished. I will put a final edge on it tomorrow, which will be a little different than I usually do it. If Codger is around I would love if he could explain the Sharpfinger "ACA" Edge.

Then This guy will make the rounds for some field use and reviews by some great Blade Forum Members. I will post up the Testers as soon as I get the last confirmation.
Ryan
 
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Outstanding work and thread! The knife looks great.

I know I have already posted, but thanks again for documenting and explaining your process. It is great information and tons of help for some of us that are getting started and trying to learn. It saves me from a ton of emails. :)

Thanks again.
 
Wow... That is a beauty Ryan. I thought I would check the progress, but certainly didn't expect to see it finished.

Now I really have to get a deer or an elk ( hopefully both ), because I can't wait to put that one to use. We are heading to camp in the morning. I'll let you know on Sunday the 23rd how I did.

Very nice work .
 
Good Heavens that's georgous!!! I usually don't think a perfect design of anything can be improved on, but I was wrong. Very nice!
 
I am liking this one a lot! Excellent choices in the handle materials too! While the knife's lineage is unmistakable to anyone familiar with Henry Baer's Sharpfinger, no one will mistake this custom for one. It is definately a RW creation.

The ACA edge is simply a toothed final bevel grind. One might call it "micro-serrations". Some people like this type edge and some don't. I find that it cuts better for me than a really smooth polished edge. And is easily restored if you use a coarse enough stone or diamond hone with a very light touch and finish with a stropping to knock off any tiny burrs. For years I had noticed Sears brochures and blade etches extolling the "A.C.A. Edge", but never could nail down the definition, or if it was even a real feature. They stated that it was an anacronym for "Amazing Cutting Action", which may or may not have been the true source of ACA. Recently a former Schrade employee filled us in on the facts behind the hype. The final edge was applied with a coarse wheel (appx. 80) then final finish with a cloth wheel. He stated that it took a talented individual to do it right. Too much wheel and excess metal was removed changing the edge profile. Too much cloth buff and the effect of the microserrations was lost. I suppose we'll see how well received this type edge is by the knife's testers.

I can't wait to see the knife in action!
 
Thanks Justin (Jwalk84) I haven't got it all figured out but glad I could help.

Mike, Kent thanks for posting. I am glad it has been well received .

Codger, I will do my best to get the "ACA" edge right, I think I will continue to call it Micro-Serrations. Thanks again for your wealth of knowledge, I couldn't have done this project without your help!

We are not done yet, this knife needs to get some experience.
I feel Pretty Lucky to have these 5 as Testers:
  1. 33875 (Mike)
  2. ProTourist (Mack)
  3. JParanee (Joe)
  4. Mewolf1 (Kent)
  5. Codger_64 (Michael)

33875 the knife will be arriving on Monday the 24th ready to get to work. After you get a feel for the design and your likes and dislikes I would love to get your input here in this thread. Photos or even Video is always nice!

After the 5 have had a chance to use and report their feelings. We can see if any changes are needed. Should be interesting.
Ryan
 
RyanW said:
Thanks Justin (Jwalk84) I haven't got it all figured out but glad I could help.

Mike, Kent thanks for posting. I am glad it has been well received .

Codger, I will do my best to get the "ACA" edge right, I think I will continue to call it Micro-Serrations. Thanks again for your wealth of knowledge, I couldn't have done this project without your help!

We are not done yet, this knife needs to get some experience.
I feel Pretty Lucky to have these 5 as Testers:
  1. 33875 (Mike)
  2. ProTourist (Mack)
  3. JParanee (Joe)
  4. Mewolf1 (Kent)
  5. Codger_64 (Michael)

33875 the knife will be arriving on Monday the 24th ready to get to work. After you get a feel for the design and your likes and dislikes I would love to get your input here in this thread. Photos or even Video is always nice!

After the 5 have had a chance to use and report their feelings. We can see if any changes are needed. Should be interesting.
Ryan
Click to expand...

Cool... Thanks Ryan. I can't wait. I'm out of here now. I have to go get something to use this beauty on
 
I would love in on that test! But I doubt I will have a deer or elk to test it out on this year. I could cut other stuff!

Great WIP on this one!
 
The knife looks incredible and the sheath is a work of art as well.
Thank you so much for posting this WIP. There are some out there that think knifemaking is easy. It's good to see all the steps that go into it.
 
Good Luck on the Hunt Mike (338375). Knife will be there on the 24th!

Cutlass, It was my pleasure. Thanks for the post.

Joe, I look forward to seeing what you think in person... Thanks for doing this

Bigfatyt, We may be able to work that out. I was considering doing a old school pass around after I get it back. I will keep you posted.

I really appreciate that Mack (Protourist) Sounds like Mike will be handing it off to you when he is done with it.
 
Just wanted to give a quick update... the SPK has a nice cutting edge on it.

On Codgers advice I thought I would try a rough grit cutting edge. Schrade called it the "ACA" as explained in Post #48 of this thread. I am calling it "Micro-Serrations" I put the cutting edge on with a 120 Grit belt (Didn't dare go with 80 Grit) then knocked off the Burr with a cloth wheel and stropped it with a Leather Strop.

Here is a close up of the cutting edge, very toothy and cuts extremely well with a slicing motion.
RyanWMicroSerrationEdge.jpg
 
A friend of mine has the same Schrade... I don't think it ever had a tip! His is just as bad as yours, but it holds an edge hella well. Also, VERY nice revamps!!
 
I believe you nailed the final edge I described. It looks much like the factory edge, though I don't have a closeup picture of one to show here. We'll see how well the testers like it. I know that some prefer a polished edge on their knives.
 
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