Tacticals Made by Us for Special OPS Forces

I'll email and get images from the contact.
Thanks RL.

My 2 knives came out of the HT great. I need to do some files tests on them and compair them to my know RC pieces.
 
Roger you are definately doing one hell of a job making those WSK. ;) It is simply awesome. That one will be an absolute essential tool over there. Can't wait to see it completed.
Scott
 
Roger I'm going to start asking some guidance on that grind soon. I have mine blanked out but procrastinating the grinding. ;) :rolleyes:

I'm going to spring for a sandblast cabinet this weekend and will be able to get my knife for these guys done soon as I learn how to use it. :D Wish me luck!

Some great knives coming out of this effort.
 
Dave, the way to do it is to belly up to the grinder and do it. My first one was a real test of nerves just to get started. It will happen for you. It will. The hook is the baby and for me takes a touch but is not as bad as may seem. Each one gets less nervy for me. Do you have a mill? If so I can tell you how I cut the teeth. If not I won't be of any help on that part. You can call me on the land line if you like. The teeth take me several hours per blade. I cut teeth on two 1075 blades yesterday - about 10 hours total. O1 mills much easier and faster than 1075 but still takes hours per blade. O1 is about or at least 1/3rd the cost in end mill wear compared to 1075. I am still trying to find the correct rotation and feed rate but slow is the range. O1 will cut with a higher rotation and feed.

RL
 
Thanks Roger, the cheerleading is helpful. :D I do have a mill and will be calling you when the time comes. I'll keep procrastinating for a bit longer though. :D

Check this out: I finally got the Gun Kote on the Afghan knife! It's in the oven baking as we speak. That means about four more hours' work and that baby'll be on its way to you. Finally. (This assumes that I did not do something really stupid in my application and that it actually works... :))

Wish me (and whichever fine soldier ends up with it) luck.
 
That's great Dave. Don't forget to include a note of steel type and such for the recipient, email address, and also let me know if it is to go first to Blade for photo and possible publish or if to bypass that part and be sent directly to the front. Include that part in your note with the knife. Please don't email me that. I can't keep up otherwise.

(can you tilt your mill head stock? The end mill is set at 45 degrees.)

RL
 
It is a complex procedure. It would be less complex if the table could be raised instead of the head stock lowered per pass. With a head stock tilt of 45 degrees the table must be advanced 1/2 the distance of the head stock plunge. That is performed with each pass. The spindle is lowered to the next cut depth and the table is advance 1/2 that distance to keep the cut centered. It is very complex and just another reason it takes so much time. In addition to all that the vise is swiveled after each cut is complete. There are numerous cuts and each cut requires about 15 or 16 passes. Each of those passes require the spindle lowered a few mil and the table advanced 1/2 that distance.

RL
 
Dave - email me about the gun Kote...I may need to get some.
B~
 
Finally! I got it done! Just finished sanding the handle, in the morning I'll put an edge on this bad boy and take some pictures tomorrow night. Then you can see if you like it. But I think it's going to make a decent tool for one of our finest. I'm happy! Yay! :D
 
Well it sure took a while but I finally got this one done. Thanks Roger for giving me a way to make a contribution to the war on terror. I hope it serves its new owner well.

This project represents a lot of "firsts" - first mortised handle, first steel guard, first false edge, first use of Gun Kote, etc. ;) So I may be excused if it's not quite ideal. I think overall it turned out okay. Not quite what I had in mind, but none of them ever have been. :D If I had it to do over I'd place the handle screws differently and try to find thicker handle material so I could get more of a palm swell. I think this is my first knife that actually balances at the guard! :D

Specs:

Overall Length - 11 7/8"
Blade Length to face of guard - 6 3/8"
Steel - O1, differentially hardened, "Camo" Gun Kote finish
Guard - O1
Handle - Milspec Micarta
Handle Screws & Thong Hole Liner - Brass
Will include a Blackhawk aftermarket sheath and diamond hone

77Sm.jpg


A bit of background on the Micarta in the handle. This was given to me by another maker who said it was made for use in military knives about 20 years ago. The block I cut this from does have the look of age and oxidized as it is, definately "looks" military in color. I don't doubt his provenance. I've been holding this piece for several years for just the right project, and this one couldn't have been better!

Hope you like it. Roger I'll get this off to you in a couple of days, I still want to play with it a bit. ;) Thanks again for organizing this great effort.
 
You Sumbeach you. I knew for a fact when you said you were going to make one YOU were to make one. You did too. I knew it all along. You're a killer grinder Dave. That thing is darn near pretty as your picture. I can't top that work. That is really super nice Dave.

RL
 
That is nice Dave!! I bought some micarta stuff from McMaster Carr. One had a mil-spec no. in the description and the color looks dean nuts to what you have. I may use it for one of mine. Love the coating too.
Where would you have placed the handle bolts if you could do it over?
 
Thanks guys, that makes me feel good. :D

blgoode said:
Where would you have placed the handle bolts if you could do it over?
Click to expand...
Brian I think the front bolts is too near the guard, I'd have moved it back about 3/8". Not a big deal but it would've looked more balanced.

Thanks again for the kind words. I just hope it serves well! It's an honor to be part of this.
 
I have two other really nice ones here now and Dave's won't be long from now. When Dave's arrives I contact Brian for the Blade source address for the shoot and send them. Except for that we gotta get them to the field. That includes my own. Gotta get them there. So any thing arriving here within a couple three weeks can get shot, otherwise it gets sent across the pond. That includes mine, which will not make it for shooting. Bruce's get's shot because it is for a special cause above all our's and there's. However all thoughts about where I might be mistaken are most welcome.

RL
 
Dave, how do you like that handle material?
 
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