WIP: Arkansas locking Hunter

ken erickson

ken erickson

Joined
Aug 27, 2004
Messages
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Grail1.jpg

Charlies scan, hope its ok to use here


A while back I was asked if I would consider building a locking version of the Arkansas Hunter that Tony Bose and Bose/Case produce. :eek: Charlie mentioned that a while back he had sent Tony a disassembled example to have a pattern made. Tony was very gracious and passed the pattern on to me, with a few words of wisdom. Went something like this, "its a hard one, have fun with it":eek::eek:

I was excited and also a bit tentative about taking this one on. After thinking about it I asked Charlie (waynorth) if he could send along an example. A few weeks later not one but two show up via US Postal service! These knives are really neat. Large and bold, not only in size but overall styling.

I have the parts cut out, heat treated and ready for the fitting to begin. I will start the Wip sometime tomorrow, mostly pictures with captions. I hope that members here in traditional's will have fun along with me as I build this knife!:D

And as a side note, as per forum guide lines, this knife is NOT available. My intent with this WIP is not to give instructions on how to make this knife, but rather to give an insight on the process's and techniques that I employ when making a traditional folder.
 
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Hey Ken,

That's great. Another challenge for you. I really look forward to seeing how this one comes out.
 
I'm looking forward to this one as well. A most unusual project, locking too which makes it all the more tricky. I'm certain nobody is going to be disappointed!
 
Sounds cool. I can't wait to see those WIP pics. If the man said it's hard, then you know it's going to be hard to make.
 
ken erickson said:
I hope that members here in traditional's will have fun along with me as I build this knife! ... My intent with this WIP is not to give instructions on how to make this knife, but rather to give an insight on the process's and techniques that I employ when making a traditional folder.
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Too cool! :thumbup: Someone make some popcorn to munch on while we watch this unfold. :)
 
Always good to see another maker at his craft. I am looking forward to see it progress.

Alistair
 
Can't wait! Having worked in machine shops all my life, I find the details of knifemaking pretty interesting.
 
Thanks for doing this for us.:thumbup: We really look foward to the progression of this piece.

I never knew this model was made as a lockback. I almost bought the case/bose version years back, and now with my bad thumb I would love to have a locking model that opens easy.
 
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Ken, the hardest thing for you to do on that knife is keeping it FLAT SIDED! :D It will be fun (and you're quite brave for doing the WIP) seeing your progress on this one. God's speed ;)
 
Charlie, you'd better have this knife and the originals sent to me after Ken's done with them. I can't have you risking arrest up there in Canada while being in possession of such large and potentially dangerous bladed objects!!! :eek:

What are friends for if not to look out for one another? ;)




Seriously though, you're going to have a great knife coming your way and you picked a great maker to build it. Kudos to you both! :cool::thumbup:
 
Thanks for the words of encouragement on this project!:thumbup:

I do apologize for not having taken pictures of fly cutting the nail pull. The thought that this would be an interesting WIP when I started did not cross my mind. Well here goes!


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When Tony Bose sends out a pattern he scribes the parts on thin sheet stock.This picture shows the pattern parts after I have cut them out and drilled the holes for the pins.


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Here are the 5 major parts cut out and heat treated. Two 416 3/16 thick frames. One CPM154cm 1/8 oversize blade, one locking bar and one locking bar spring/frame filler. I have already cut the nail pull. When fly cutting pull's they need to be cut before the blade is hardened and tempered to 59-60RC


Sharp eyed formites (is that a word?) may noticed I have already played around pivoting the blade in the frame to get a feel for things. My next step on this knife is to surface grind the insides of the frames nice and flat with a decent finish. I do not do this on all knives at this point but I have found on large knives that this gives me a better foundation for fitting parts etc.

Ken
 
Ken, are the lines in the blade from oil quenching? Also, why did you heat treat the frames? Is that for surface grinding?

Steve
 
Oh wow!! I cant wait to see more. This is one of my all time favorite patterns!

Is there a reason for the liners being so thick!!?
 
navihawk said:
Ken, are the lines in the blade from oil quenching? Also, why did you heat treat the frames? Is that for surface grinding?

Steve
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Steve,

Good questions!

CPM154cm is a air quenched steel and must be wrapped in heat treat foil. As I open the package to plate quench(between my surface grinder chuck and heavy flat lapping plate) the steel will take on these colors.

I do not heat treat my 416 frames, what you are seeing is layout dye.



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I have the two frame sides on my surface grinder ready to grind. I will clean up the inside then flip them over and grind to my desired thickness


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I use a micrometer to check my finished thickness. I want to insure on this knife that the overall thickness is the same as my working example


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Here is a picture of all parts ground flat, parallel and same thickness as their corresponding part


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This shows how the blade, locking bar and locking bar spring/frame filler interact with each other.

My next post will outline the fitting of the lockbar to insure it sits flush , both open and closed.

Ken
 
Thanks Ken. It's all good but I really like that last shot that shows how the lock works. :thumbup:

Congrats to Charlie for having the foresight to get Ken on this one.
 
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