The first knife I've made: thank you for all the info provideed here.

Ripper

Ripper

Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Messages
1,494
This is the first knife I have made. I was looking to make something similar to to the "Long knife" of the 1700's American frontiersman.
Ah, the best laid plans of mice and men...

It stared out to be cold convex grind on an old file(messed that up) and temper(missed: purple). Good news is that the propane/firebrick forge works. Bad news; the quench container was a little small (you’ll see). I wasn’t worried, because at that time I figured it to be junk and wanted to see if the forge worked. However, despite my best efforts to the contrary, there was a knife in the heart of that file that would not be denied. Things got better when grinding the scale off.

So here it is:
Blade: 9” flat ground old file.
Handle: bleached out elk; cracks fixed with super glue, dyed with “Old English” dark scratch cover polish and sealed.
Guard: O1 , I’ve got to make handles for those jeweler’s files Ouch!
OAL: 14”
051798.jpg

Other side.
Thanks for looking,
Greg
 
Can't say that I helped with anything, but that is one sweet blade.

I'm really impressed that for your first knife you made such a long straight blade! That's some serious work.

What'd you use for etching? - nice line.

After finishing that baby I'll bet you're hooked now!

Steve
 
Love the blade! Not crazy about the handle, but I'd probably not like that type of handle even if Jerry Fisk had made the knife.

I'd say you need to definitely keep it up. Great grinds on the blade too. :)
 
That's some serious work.
Click to expand...
Especially finding where it landed after I messed it up earlier.:D

Steve, I used a straight white vinegar etch. Just made a container out of two plastic soda bottles. It cut much more aggressive when warmed by the sun.

Danbo, My girlfriend doesn't think much of the handle either:(. Is it the shape or color?

Thanks guys!
As always, a pleasure reading the input on this forum.
Greg
 
Greg,

It looks good to me, for a first blade to be a long one , it can be quite aggravating getting the grinds to come out. I would say you aced that. A nice cocobolo spacer between the guard and stag, ground with a slight finger notch, would have dressed it up a little, but I think it looks fine as is. :cool: Now get going on the next one.

Bill
 
Looks pretty good to me too.:eek:
For the file handles, get some old golf balls. Drill, and jam the file in there. They work great. :D
 
Sylvester and Bob, Thanks guys.:)

Bill and Mike, Thanks for both the comments and
suggestions.:)

A "much appreciated" to all!
Regards,
Greg
 
Way to go Greg! You're off and running now. Don't ya just love that heat treat stuff!!!

Roger
 
Ripper -
As a long time student of the American Frontier knife I'd say you aced it. That knife has "the look". The whole thing goes together great. Excellent job!!!
 
Greg,
That is a great first effort! I like it a lot, especially the blade profile and hardening line.
For a quench pan, I went to a used restaurant supply house here in town and got hold of a buffet pan about 3.5 inches deep. It easily accomodates a knife the size of yours.

Congrats on a fine first effort and welcome to the addiction!;)


All the best,
Mike U.
 
I've never done this before but I hope you don't mind some constructive criticism...DON'T CHANGE A THING!!! It looks great. Now, are you sure that is your first knife? :D

C Wilkins
 
Roger, thanks and ...yeah, I love it.

Danbo, thanks, by the way my girlfriend is very particular about the
knives she likes, uses and collects (PJ Tomes, Koji Hari). Your point gave me something to ponder on. I used this piece of antler becuase of how it fit me. I can see now that it might be uncomfortable to someone with larger(I have small) hands and lefties.

Chuck, thanks, considering the "suitable for framing" pictures you post here of your and others great period work well....just let me say thanks again.

Mike, thanks and that buffet pan is just what I need!

CL, thanks! Let me also say thanks for the suppliers list you compiled. I've referenced it a lot. This is my first complete knife. I actually started this onefirst, but haven't finished it as of yet.

Completeing this knife has made me feel much more closer to all of you. I've been around tools,machines,weapons and handcrafting all my life but always felt kind of awkward posting here. There is a certain empathy between handcrafters of all sorts but I still had to make that first knife; daymun if it doesn't feel good. Thanks for always making me feel welcome before and even more so now.

Regards,
Greg
 
hi....

well,,,already you are clearly better at making a knife than I likely will ever be,,,,so Im jealous!

I think you should get a website,,,It dont have to be a big deal,,,just a place where you can post the photos so I can keep track of how your skills are coming along,,,(and a place where I can steal ideas,,LOL)
 
Darn DaQo'tah, heatride and Gib, I missed your replies while pecking out my other reply. Thanks guys! I really do appreciate it.
Regards,
Greg

Edited because I was too slow again.
 
used this piece of antler becuase of how it fit me.
Click to expand...

That's maybe part of what makes it look so "right". Frontier gear like this was very personalized. Are you planning on a sheath? If you need/want any ideas give me a shout.

And thanks for the compliments - I keep trying. It's funny you should mention the "suitable for framing" I've found an online source to get photos made up into posters and also sell them without a lot of hassle. As soon as I get some spare time (LOL) I plan on getting some done.
 
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