What do you guys think of this?

[fishshooter]

I'm sure you have heard folks say it is a good idea to keep a photo of your friends or family in your kit. They say it will motivate you to do whatever necessary to make it back to them. Well along those lines, I decided to make something just as inspirational, albeit a bit more practical. This is the first item for a small "shirt pocket" kit that I am putting together with stuff I will make myself. The blade was ground from an old, old carbon steel knife my friend used to clean fish and game. It has been at the camp since he passed away, and the tang had rusted under the old wood handles. I cut that portion of the blade off, and used the rest to fashion this blade. The handle is antler from a deer that I killed on a trip with my father in law. The bolster I hammered out from a piece of copper pipe that my dad pulled out when we were redoing some plumbing down at the camp. The sheath I made from some scrap leather I had around, and was sewn up using synthetic sinew my dad had for some of his craft work. It turned out just like I wanted. I'll probably get around to working on the other stuff, like a firesteel and scaper, this weekend.

Small enough for the kit I have in mind, but still usable.

I convexed the edge after I got it shaped out like I wanted. It is screaming sharp!! The metal was pitted and rusty, but cleaned up it nicley and still has a great patina, as well as a lot of character.

I think I may hot wax the sheath, but I don't know yet.

 

[wildmike]

Very nice little blade.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

right on.. nice work... that's a cool looking little blade..:thumbup:

 

[bcornelis]

It kind of reminds me of a Busse Game Warden. looks good !

 

[jds1]

Great little knife and sheath...AWESOME provenance. :thumbup:

Jeff

 

[Mentor]

I love the personality and history that is captured in this blade. What a cool project. Looks like a damn fine user, too.

Great work,

- Mike

 

[fishshooter]

Thanks fellas! I had to look up provenance in the dictionary! I think it will be a great user. The tang is almost as long as the blade and as wide as I could fit into the antler. It is a stout little rascal. I think it will be cool to carry something in itself has no meaning yet, but is made from so many memories of guys that taught me plenty.

 

[theedge13]

i think the "character" on the blade is what sells this thing for me. Great Job!

 

[TheGame]

I, also like the character of the blade. Very cool :thumbup:

 

[Mannlicher]

I have to give that little blade 'two thumbs up'. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[ratamahatta]

looks like a great little user, great job brother!!!!!!!!!

 

[pitdog]

Great work buddy, the dimensions look spot on !

 

[hoopster]

I'd be surprised if that isn't your favorite knife. Great work!

 

[fujita yuji]

Here's a great story of a rebirth of great blade.
Surely it will help you to survive both physically and mentally.
I love it, both the blade and the story.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Anrkst6973]

That is just too cool. The pics took me back to my Dad showing me how to make knives from old crosscut saws. Heres a trick for you..I took some of those "postage stamp size" photos that come with school packages, laminated them and trimmed to fit in the bottom of an altoids tin where I carry some of my survival goodies. Based on Ron Hoods rule of 3's yea...Another is the back of a phone book has a decent map that can be cut out and laminated for pocket carry. Amazing what can be utilized from common stuff.

 

[fishshooter]

I ended up working on the kit some more yesterday. I re-handled a firesteel and made a scraper/striker. I could have made a smaller striker or squared up the spine of the knife to make it throw sparks better, but I figured something like this would be good for shaping wood, scraping hides or scaling fish. The steel is actually epoxied in the handle, but I added the sinew just for looks and a little added strength. Next I want to make a wallet size pouch to hold this stuff and some jute and fatwood.

 

[Shotgun]

Pretty cool work. I like that you used copper on your knife. Maybe sharpen the scraper a little and use it as an Ulu?

 

[fishshooter]

That is not a bad idea Shotgun. If I had thought about that, I would have shaped it a bit different. I may whip up a mini Ulu and see how it works. Thanks bro.

 

[Iboschi]

Inspirational project. Nice craftsmanship!