Uh, oh! Not a knife, yet.

[Lorien]

I'm dredging this dead horse back up from the depths...

My blades have still not arrived, so there is no progress to report at this time.
But I still fully intend to finish what I started, just in case there was any doubt.

 

[2knife]

......

 

[Lorien]

Too funny! 'BMX Bladesmith' uses only the finest chromoly tubing and bicycle chains to forge the ultimate wonder steel...

In honour of your humor, I have decided to name this knife 'Ballbuster':thumbup:

Speaking of which, I probably have about 10 days worth of actual physical labor into the BB, (3-6 hours per day- that was the slow season I have FAR less time now that things are poppin) but you know how it is mentally.
This knife is never far from my mind, even after all this time.

Planning? Well apart from just thinking about it, this knife was not preceeded by a sketch which is weird because I'm always sketching knives. There are a few sketches that go back quite aways which led me to this result, but nothing direct. Actually, come to think of it, I did draw a rough profile on the steel before I started cutting it. And then, I was pretty meticulous about tapering the thing and finding my centers and generally lining things up. It's fair to say that that falls under the 'planning' category, so there's probably a few hours of that.

I basically got the steel from Nick Wheeler's Gym and started hacking away at it. I was partly motivated by thriftiness in going for a 3/4 tang. It's good steel and I'd like to make a few different things out of it and waste as little as possible. And also my favourite using knives have a similar construction which lightens the handle a lot.

Thanks David. You sure are right about the support. That's the most amazing part I was and still am buoyed by it.

 

[Lorien]

I got me some work done today, and it looks like we're back on track

my pin holes were not in alignment. I drilled them smaller than the pins so I could work my way up to size. It is hella hard to align the holes side to side using a Dremel tool. I totally need a drill press.

Favourite bike shop expression; "I cut it three times, and it's still too short!"

Anyway, to guide me a little closer to 'perfection' I used a hacksaw blade to keep my bit in place

These aren't the pins I'm going to use. They're 14 gauge spokes, and they
help me line up the guide.

A little fine tuning with a wonderful little file, thanks again Wolfgang!

You know the drill... I mean, you know, the drill

Gradually working my way up in size, and from side to side to keep the pins
going in straight(ish)

I had to tap the pins in, they fit nice and tight. But the holes have a little
space around them. Once I get closer to the end, I plan to peen the pins, so between that and the JB Weld I don't think anyone will know. Well, except you people

 

[MValborg]

sweet! keepum coming

 

[Magnus Axelson]

Great work there bro!!!
Can`t wait to see it finished

/Magnus

 

[Lorien]

me too. It's like an itch I haven't been able to scratch.
Thanks Magnus
Word on the street is that the blades are on their way back to me now, and I finally sourced some hemp cord for the handle wrap.
Everything in its time, I guess.

 

[WalterDavis]

Lorien, just so you know, you can go to a local Lowe's or Home Depot (or whatever is similar north of the border) and pick up a stand that turns your dremel into a drill press, or you can find something similar for a hand drill. I just recently picked one up for my dremel for about $40, as it's perfect for sheath work for me! It's not the same as a high-end drill press, but it's much more consistent and steady than a hand drill:thumbup:

 

[DutchV]

Harbor Freight usually has a small drill press for around $40.

I like your project - you're making great progress.

 

[Lorien]

Walter, I think I'll take you up on that advice! Doing leatherwork is a pain drilling the holes freehand. Really, though, a stitching pony and an awl is a far better way to go, but in the meantime holes it is!

I need a drill press for the bike shop anyway, so I guess I can write it off. I just want to find an old one that's built like a brick shithouse. All the new stuff I've seen is crap until you go way up in price. Besides, I have a thing for cast steel.

Thanks DutchV:thumbup:

 

[Lorien]

YAY!!!
Thank you Nick- you're the greatest!

 

[Lorien]

and the saga continues...

A friend of mine set me up with a little chunk of aluminum angle extrusion, and it serves as a base to mount the blade to which I can clamp to a vise. It is making the finishing process much easier.
So, I'm making two knives at once, and the small one I started first. It's serving as a bit of a testing ground for me so that I don't make as many mistakes on the large one. Good fun all around!

 

[sparrow75]

They will be great

 

[Lorien]

thank you

 

[Lorien]

this thread is starting to remind me of Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail, with Arthur storming the French castle. He just keeps running and running without getting closer, then- Gah! He's suddenly there stabbing people
I just gotta get to the castle!

Anyway, it's a busy time of year for me and I squeeze in a little bit at a time while I can. Fortunately, I can do this at work Ok, I know I shouldn't be doing it here, but my 'studio' isn't ready yet.



I found a piece of square tubing and trued the surface with a file...

...then I put some sandpaper over it...

...and then I start sanding, first going one direction, then the other. It's really hard to get the scratches out but damn it- I'm going for a mirror finish if it kills me, (just might...)

I'm really glad I'm working on this little knife as it's shown me a lot of what I need to know so I don't waste a ton of time finishing the big knife.

The big bastard is about to get the 150 grit treatment...

...man, I will never devalue a good quality finish on a knife ever. It's effing hard work!

 

[atakach]

looking good

 

[Lorien]

thanks Andrew

 

[NickWheeler]

Looking good buddy. You need to ditch that electrical tape deal though (or is it friction tape... hard to tell in the pics).

Cut your paper into strips, lay it face down on some newsprint, and spray it with spray glue. Let it set a few minutes so it gets tacky. Now you have "psa" strips for your sanding block. MUCH MUCH easier and faster than taping it down.

And use the paper like it's free!!! Once it quits cutting, change it out.

 

[Lorien]

thank you, Mr. Wheeler
I will take your advice, and carry it with me to the grave.

 

[Lorien]

I don't doubt that some of you who happen across this thread are getting a little tired of it. Too bad!

I'm just about done with my 180 grit, and then on to 220, which I hope I get finished today. It was pretty quick going when the blade was in an annealed state, but now that it's hardened I'm at a snail's pace!

But, like I said, I am going for a mirror finish, and damn it I'm going to get one. Eventually.