Salvage Solingen steel...

D

Drum4fun

Joined
Mar 21, 2018
Messages
371
Found this blade in the "please take me box" at the swap meet.
I have heard some here speak highly of "Solingen" steel. I have
included photos "as found" and after a cursory clean up. Not sure
what I want to do with this.... remaining steel seems in good
shape...some "hammer" marks on the top ridge. I think a stag
handle would be awesome.

Not bad for "free". Would any here have passed ? What would
you do with this steel ?

Does the "21 1/2" indicate overall length of the original knife ??? I
would have thought they would be on the metric system.

Charles
https://imgur.com/a/8kwvgHh
 
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I wouldn't have passed that in a free box thats for sure. Would make a great project, probably a good blade just needs a good handle. You can find a good variety of elk antler in some pet stores. Looks like the part of the tang that normally goes through the pommel has broken off. Most likely why it had what looked like a tape handle. I would find a suitable peice of antler bore the hole but not fully through for the tang and use a good 2 part epoxy to glue it on.
 
i seriously doubt the 21 1/2 was ever the length.
in any case, I would drill and pin it into a bit of antler. Its not that hard. Ive done it with knives Ive made from files. first make sure the tang is soft enough to drill. if its too hard, you ca heat it with a propane torch and let it air cool to soften it.
drill the antler for the stick of tang you have, measure down to figure out where the pin should go, fill the hole with epoxy to take up any slop, put the blade in, and when its dry, drill and pin it. 1/16 brass rod from the local hardware works good.
 
I’d go stacked leather with that one. Would look mighty handsome. The problem there would be what to do for the pommel... might look good with stacked leather for most of it with an antler crown pommel.

And no, I wouldn’t turn that one down.
 
Thank you for the input Sirs ! I will give all options consideration.

... I have a hard time picturing a total length of 21 1/2.... so, what would it
indicate ? Model number ?

Charles
 
Steel from Solingen , Germany is highly regarded by knife makers. I found
an ignored blade ...and some elk horn at the swap meet . The pommel mount was
broken off the knife tang. I picked out a reasonably straight piece of the horn
and cut to necessary length . Drilled out the desiccated marrow (involved a level
with frequent rechecks and multiple bits to get the right depth, width and
perpendicular line). Required rubber mallet to countersink....the slot being
over-filled with epoxy. Then wet-dry sanded the elk.... added color (I thought
it was too washed out) and 6 layers of water based Varathane.

Turns out to be a pretty well balanced camp knife. Not perfect but a good effort
for my first try. (Knife blade was free... I gave $3 for the elk).

Chas
https://imgur.com/a/Vlu6Kh5
 
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