WIP Amature Knife

[Heisenberg]

Started a thread a few days ago about wanting to make a fixed blade. I decided to make a WIP because I enjoy looking at the them myself.

Info:
Full flat grind
3/16" (.188) CPM S90V
3/8" Olive Canvas Micarta scales
White G10 liners
1/4" Satin Chain Ring Bolts
Also will be making a gray Kydex sheath

Tools Im working with:
Angle grinder
Hand held belt sander
Files
Sand Paper
Dremel

Questions:
What hardness should I request when I send away for heat treat? It will be used as a somewhat "hard use" outdoor/camp knife. I want it to be fairly tough but at 3/16" I shouldn't have to worry about braking the tip but more concerned with edge chipping. 59 RC?

Where should I send it for heat treat?

The steel has an ever so slight bend in it and I dont necessarily have to tools to flatten it. What do you suggest I do?



Wooden mock-up

10" of micarta, rough profile of knife, and the rest of the 18" x 1.5" S90V

Just about finished with the profile

 

[Frank Niro]

You can use the belt sander to help you do the bevels. Start with course belts. How to make it ease to do is to mount the sander upside down say in a vise, tape the switch so it's always on and use the plug to start and stop it. You might be surprised to see how well it will work. Frank

 

[Heisenberg]

Sounds like a plan, Frank. I guess that's about the best I can do with making the bevels. Ill probably use a file near the end to flatten them up. Have any tips for making a nice, clean and sharp plunge line?

 

[Frank Niro]

I forgot, for the bend. Place the blade over say two large nails with the heads cut off, place the nails so they are under the blade on each side of the bend, now hit the blade with a hammer, check it, set it up and hit again if necessary. Frank

 

[Heisenberg]

I forgot, for the bend. Place the blade over say two large nails with the heads cut off, place the nails so they are under the blade on each side of the bend, now hit the blade with a hammer, check it, set it up and hit again if necessary. Frank

hmm, interesting tip. I shall try that. Its hardly noticeable now that I cut the 18" piece in half. But whole, It was just slightly noticeable.

 

[nyddde]

Awesome project, going to keep my eye on this wip

 

[Hengelo_77]

I did it without the hammer.
I used a heavy clamp to press the middle down. Same thing.
I like your wooden mock-ups!
You can make nice plunge lines with a chain saw file. Only file as app. half as high as you want the plunge line to go (spine to edge) the rest will come by itself

 

[Heisenberg]

Awesome project, going to keep my eye on this wip

Thanks man, guess I better take lots of pics

I did it without the hammer.
I used a heavy clamp to press the middle down. Same thing.
I like your wooden mock-ups!
You can make nice plunge lines with a chain saw file. Only file as app. half as high as you want the plunge line to go (spine to edge) the rest will come by itself

Thanks, it was an idea suggested by a member hear! Ok, a chain saw file sounds like it would work good

 

[Brian.Evans]

Good luck. Ask questions when you need to. You certainly jumped in the deep end of the pool by choosing S90V as the steel for your first knife with limited tooling. Just roll with it, you'll learn a lot regardless, and that it's really what it's all about, learning every time you make a knife.

 

[Frank Niro]

You have got some great work done for a start. If you are not sure as you go along, ask first. Frank

 

[Marko3]

This is exactly how I got started. Poor old thing. Pushed it so hard until it died. Still have it as a keep sake.

You can use the belt sander to help you do the bevels. Start with course belts. How to make it ease to do is to mount the sander upside down say in a vise, tape the switch so it's always on and use the plug to start and stop it. You might be surprised to see how well it will work. Frank

 

[Heisenberg]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I bought some more 40 grit 3 x 21 belt for the sander today. Finished about 80% of one of the bevels a few minutes ago. Im now starting in on the other side. I clamped the blade to a stand, as you can see in the pics, instead of putting the sander in a vise. This is working well so far.

 

[stereo.pete]

Looking good so far, that's an interesting way to use your belt sander.

 

[Heisenberg]

Looking good so far, that's an interesting way to use your belt sander.

Thanks

IT TAKES FOREVER...

 

[stereo.pete]

If you think that takes forever, trying using files on 1/4" thick stock, last time I buy that thickness ever again.

 

[Heisenberg]

If you think that takes forever, trying using files on 1/4" thick stock, last time I buy that thickness ever again.

Haha oh god I can imagine. That's a lot of material for manual tools.

 

[Frank Niro]

Sure looks like you've got that under control as best would be expected. . I loaned the one I used from my brother. He knew in advance how I was going to use it even though back then the sanders were way expensive. It told me that a belt sander for grinding was the way to go. After a 4" X 36" and a 6" X 48" I finally got a 2" X 72". Frank

 

[Heisenberg]

Sure looks like you've got that under control as best would be expected. . I loaned the one I used from my brother. He knew in advance how I was going to use it even though back then the sanders were way expensive. It told me that a belt sander for grinding was the way to go. After a 4" X 36" and a 6" X 48" I finally got a 2" X 72". Frank

Yeah, as best as to be expected is about right. I had confidence that I might be able to do something decent before I started but I'm surprised at how well the bevel grinding is going. Im just about finished with both sides. I have to fiigure out a way to straighten the plunge lines up a bit. Will be posting pictures shortly. It would be a dream to be working on a 2 x 72 grinder!

 

[Overmountain]

A 2x72 grinder is nice, but they can make one heck of a quick oops though.... Irrecoverable oops to boot... It looks like you are doing nice work, sticking to a plan and are going to come out the other side with a nice knife. I have enjoyed watching you design, respond to feedback and progress on to the piece of steel. Looking good!

 

[Heisenberg]

A 2x72 grinder is nice, but they can make one heck of a quick oops though.... Irrecoverable oops to boot... It looks like you are doing nice work, sticking to a plan and are going to come out the other side with a nice knife. I have enjoyed watching you design, respond to feedback and progress on to the piece of steel. Looking good!

Thanks a lot, you have given me some great tips, along with other members here. Yeah I cant afford to make any large mistakes, the money and time I have spent would just go to waste.

Im calling it a night, here are a few more pics. Done with the bevels, now I have to try and figure out how im gonna straighten up the plunge lines. Ill do that tomorrow.