Scrap Knives!

Nicktterrell · Mar 9, 2013

I finished this one today, and I just wanted to show it off. The blade was originally a columbian machete from the 1930's that I re-heat treated it to be a bit harder. The handle is canvas micarta held on by 1/4 inch ss tubes.

Anyone else have any knives made from scrap or salvaged materials to show off?

Tbaggin · Mar 9, 2013

Ah, I respect a person that turns junk into function and/or beauty! Nice work, can I have it?

Nicktterrell · Mar 9, 2013

Nah, I like it too much, I think I'll have to hang on to this one.

Tbaggin · Mar 9, 2013

I would if I were you! Let me know if you change your mind hehe

9blades · Mar 9, 2013

Still needs a lot of work, heat treat, edge thinned, sheath......I'll get it done some day

Click for big pic.

-niner

Grease · Mar 9, 2013

Repurposing knives is what I spent several years doing prior to buying some real knife making equipment. I've thrown away most of them, but I still have a couple little neck knives I've made...

The top one here is my favorite:

me2 · Mar 9, 2013

I really like doing stuff like this. My last project was a 10" chef's knife I turned into a 6.5" blade Gyuto. It was rescued from my friends back yard. Here's a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R86IU57mH4E

I have a broken machete I want to use for another kitchen knife, and a compete machete I'd like to use for more. As it is, the whole machete is nearly useless due to extreme vibration in the handle from any hard impact.

racingfirefighter · Mar 10, 2013

That's really cool. My grandpa got me into knives as a kid and I would always fool around in the back of his shop pounding big nails into little knives and making makeshift handles for them. Just recently I started going to the local flea markets and buying up old files to make into knives. The only thing ive been contemplating is if I need to re-heat treat them once im done or before i finish it. I have one I started today that I still need to drill some holes and decide what im going to use for handles.

BladeScout · Mar 10, 2013

Very nice trailing point converted machete.
I like that one.

Ive only modded a few Opinels by shortening the blades with a Dremel.
Strictly amateur stuff, but they work fine for their intended purposed - cardboard box killers.

Nicktterrell · Mar 10, 2013

racingfirefighter said:
That's really cool. My grandpa got me into knives as a kid and I would always fool around in the back of his shop pounding big nails into little knives and making makeshift handles for them. Just recently I started going to the local flea markets and buying up old files to make into knives. The only thing ive been contemplating is if I need to re-heat treat them once im done or before i finish it. I have one I started today that I still need to drill some holes and decide what im going to use for handles.

I find that re-heat treating depends on the thickness and intended use. Some knives (small utility blades) are fine to be left fully hardened like a file, But anything else will need to be annealed some. I like 1 hr at 425 in the kitchen oven.

flatblackcapo · Mar 11, 2013

Nicktterrell said:
I finished this one today, and I just wanted to show it off. The blade was originally a columbian machete from the 1930's that I re-heat treated it to be a bit harder. The handle is canvas micarta held on by 1/4 inch ss tubes.

Anyone else have any knives made from scrap or salvaged materials to show off?

That looks great! It looks to be a very comfortable handle shape.I also dig the trailing point.Nice job sir.

smeecogg · Mar 11, 2013

Had some fun making this!! my biggest problem is i am cheap and have no patience!!

BloodrootBlades · Mar 15, 2013

Nice! Repurposing materials rocks, and with good testing and testing equipment you can make some highly functional blades. This is one I'm really proud of. The blade is forged from the front-end of a wrecked 60's VW Bug. The materials for the handle scales were heirlooms of the customer. One side the cover of his grandfather's canteen that was on his belt during the Normandy invasion and the other from his grandmother's wartime quilt made in the USA from his mother's old sunday-school dresses. Interestingly, the canteen itself was made in Japan before the war and the VW steel was obviously German- I feel like we pretty well covered the bases!

The brass and copper were the internal workings of the canteen snaps.

The knife is hardened to HRC 60.5, is very thin and flexible with a long distal taper. Sharpened to 6000 grit and lightly buffed- freaking sharp

~LS

Tbaggin · Mar 16, 2013

^^^ that is an awesome piece. I like how all of the sentimental value was built in

Edwood7 · Mar 16, 2013

Made this one for an Escape & Evasion course from a hacksaw blade.

fugglesby · Mar 16, 2013

That bloodroot blade is amazing. Converting hierlooms into something so beautiful and useful while retaining that sentimental value is just incredible.

dkb45 · Mar 16, 2013

Nick- excellent job with that knife-chete (not really sure what to call it). The finish on the blade is absolute eye candy.

Bloodroot- my word, those handles are SPECTACULAR! I mean just wow!

I love seeing old steel repurposed into blades. Innovation is always great to see. Keep up the good work everybody!