WIP/ Hobbyist Experiments, Plus One More Knife 4/16/12

[redsquid2]

I wanted to get this knocked out in time to give to a friend for his birthday.

This is from 154CM. Heat treated by Texas Knifemakers Supply.

The G-10 seemed a little slick, so I took a cylindrical diamond burr and dremel tool and made some texture.

I made a sheath to fit blue jeans back pockets.

The jeans-pocket sheath looked pretty good when it was finished. However, it turned out difficult to sheath the knife. I had to concentrate to get it sheathed in my back pocket without poking/cutting my fingers. Too tricky. Not practical, so I decided to cut the sheath down for a simple belt sheath. I am still working on the belt sheath.

I have been using vinegaroon, and I find it interesting how the color can vary from one project to the next. This current project turned out indigo blue. I also did a test piece with a cloudy vinegaroon, which produced kind of a deep mossy color, even after thoroughly rinsing the sample. I think the indigo and moss are both nice colors.



--squid

 

[redsquid2]

Finished product. The color seems darker and not as blue, since I waxed it.

I burnished the edges with a dremel tool and 1/2" felt wheel, using a blend of beeswax, paraffin wax, and 3 in 1 Oil. I have seen similar concoctions on-line, but I don't think they contained 3 in 1 Oil. That's my own special touch.

 

[redsquid2]

I think the lighting is better in these. Hard to avoid glare. Spot the lint, in both pictures.

 

[redsquid2]

Here is another one that started with the same pattern. 154CM, O.A.L. 6 1/8". Made with backpacking in mind. I believe the weight, with sheath, is 2.6 oz. I can get 3 fingers around the handle, but my hand is comparatively small.

Yellow G10 with carbon fiber pins. The problem with that combination, is that when I sand the scales, the carbon fiber dust smudges all over the yellow G10, just like pencil lead. It does OK if I wet sand, frequently wetting and rubbing the scales. What you are seeing here is the result of 320 grit. I think I can make it very shiny if I sand to 600, or maybe 1000, and then buff with green compound. What do you all think?

With a sheath in the making; Simple neck sheath:

 

[redsquid2]

Here is what happened when I tried to buff it to a shine: I sanded up to 1000 grit, but then when I buffed with green compound, the greed compound got embedded in the G10, making green splotches. I think I just did not sand it enough, or maybe not a high enough grit.

The yellow gets dirty very easily. The blue dye from inside my jeans pocket actually rubbed off on it.

Does anybody know a sealant that would make the handle stain resistant? I am thinking of coating the entire handle with epoxy, then buffing it.

TIA

-redsquid2

 

[redsquid2]

Just remembered I have some epoxy clear leftover from when I was customizing my bike. Unless I get other ideas, I think I will try that. It's automotive urethane clear.

 

[AVigil]

Sure have been keeping busy!

How did your friend like his knife?

 

[redsquid2]

Sure have been keeping busy!

How did your friend like his knife?

I'm mailing it to him tomorrow.