The making of a custom round knife

[Brian Avila]

Really cool. I think a small(er than 4") will be a good addition to your kit.

Any reason you use red dykem over blue? Just curious.

My knives only work when I use red dyekem.

Just kidding. It was given to me. And so that is what I use. I am almost out so I need to figure out where to get some more.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

My knives only work when I use red dyekem.

Just kidding. It was given to me. And so that is what I use. I am almost out so I need to figure out where to get some more.

Haha okay. If you have a Fastenal near, they should stock it. Their prices kind of suck, even when I use my employers discount.

 

[Salolan]

My .052" thick piece of 13c26 showed up this morning. I drew up a couple different patterns this evening. Would any of you with more experience using a round knife care to critique my design and point out any issues they might present before I go further?

Blades are both 4 1/4" across for what it is worth.

I'm liking this 2nd design better I think.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Horsewright]

Chris i like the second one better. I like the greater relief of the semi circular area where the tang meets the blade on that one better. I think that allows you to choke up on the blade without getting bit by the tang like Strig was talking about. Alos seems lke it would be easier to make. Parts of the first one might be tough to get your blets into with out hitting the blade at the same time.

 

[Salolan]

Anything that stands out to you that needs changed on the second one Dave? I only offset the handle 1/8" on that one and it still runs parallel to the center line. On another page I had a gentleman request angling the whole handle towards the short side. He said he preferred cutting with his palm sitting on the leather.

Thank you,
Chris

 

[Horsewright]

No looks good to me. I don't have any experience with the hnadle angled like thatso can't say. If you've got the steel make one that way too and see what you prefer.

 

[John A. Larsen]

I have a round knife that looks almost identical to the 2nd drawing above, made by W. Rose in Philadelphia. They started making specialized edge tools in 1884, not sure when mine was made but appears old. Sharpens up nicely. John

 

[Horsewright]

Yeah Roses when you can find them are good knives.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Chris, the first knife wouldn't work for my hands and long fingers, doesn't mean it wouldn't work for others though.

The second pic looks like a Rose because it's a classic profile.

For anyone looking for Rose, Gomph or other vintage tools check out Bruce Johnson tools. I haven't done business with him, but he is very highly regarded by the community. I'm told his refurb and sharpening is excellent.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Dave, those circular cut-outs are the difference between "head" and "round" knife, right? I think those reliefs would indeed make a difference for me. Never crossed my mind, but yeah.

 

[Horsewright]

Can't say for sure but I'm pretty sure I can't say. Not sure there is a definitive answer to that question. Quien Sabe? for sure. I'd go more with a head knife originally having one side, one edge and I'm going back hundreds of years now so older then me and Paul put together. And we are the Viejos for sure. Roundknife had two edges as we know it now. Somewhere they got crosscombubalated. Osborne uses that definition that you put forth but these tools far out date that Co. They have literally been around centuries if not longer. They are still around because they cut leather good.

 

[Brian Avila]

Here is the work that I have done on mine so far.

I have to heat treat now. We will see when I get the time for that.

-Brian-

 

[Salolan]

Looking good Brian. It seems we are thinking alike. I think I too have decided to make 2 normal and 2 with an angled offset in the handle.
Here is my other design upon request of a gentleman on another page.

Chris

 

[Brian Avila]

Looking good Brian. It seems we are thinking alike. I think I too have decided to make 2 normal and 2 with an angled offset in the handle.
Here is my other design upon request of a gentleman on another page.

Chris

Nice. I just so happened to be able to make more than 1. I didn't plan it out that way.

But I don't think I will be using any pins. The holes I drilled are just in case and for the "epoxy pins". I also found some wood that I probably won't use on any knives other knives, so I will have some pretty round knives.

I am extremely temped to send one to Paul Long so he can tell me his thoughts. But when I talked to him this past week, his count was 10 round knives. It might be hard to compete.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

You guys are doing some really cool stuff!

Brian, I wouldn't worry about that. Paul or Dave would be my first choices since they both have a great deal of experience. I could ship you my meager knife to compare to if you think it might help.

Deal goes for either of you or Chris. Let me know if I can help.

 

[Salolan]

Seems when I cleaned out some photos it had the unintended consequence of removing them here too.

So I tweaked my designs one last time. I didn't care for some of the straight lines I had on the quilons(is that even the proper term here?).

Think I'm going to end up with 2 of the angled handle and 4 of the straight. (+ a couple bars worth of some other knives I'm going to try and send off for HT at the same time.)

Chris

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Round knives and a gut hook. Ambitious!

 

[Brian Avila]

Chris: Those are going to be pretty cool.

I got to heat treat my knives last weekend. Slowly getting them done. Wish I wasn't so busy but here is the tempering pictures. I was a little folding happy with the foil so there was a little extra space between the foil and the blades so I had a small little warp.

Fixed it though.

Brian