Young Knife collectors/users?

[CJZ]

Alright guys, I have a dilemma. Tax returns are looking to be very kind to me, and of course, if I'm posting here, I want to buy a knife. I'm thinking either a big ol' ZT or a microtech ultratech. I've carried a cheap-o gun show OTF once in a while, and it's just so fun and convenient (in my opinion.) OTFs and autos are legal in the good old state of SC, so what do you guys think?

Edit: as an afterthought, perhaps a PM2? I know what SBK's opinion is going to be.

0200
Adamas
Para2

Any of them would be fantastic choices. If you'd like, I'll post comparison pics with the three of them tomorrow

 

[30ZappHappy30]

Thanks ALLHS! And Romba, I don't have one, but have you looked at the zt 0560 or 0561?

 

[jla3156]

I'm 18, been collecting since I was like 7 or 8 but only recently got the serious level of many of the people on here. I'm rotating an endura 4, mini grip, and kershaw echelon right now as edc. I own all sorts of knives mostly folders. I also plan on getting a spyderco tasman salt and native next.

 

[the straight edge]

I'm 18, been collecting since I was like 7 or 8 but only recently got the serious level of many of the people on here. I'm rotating an endura 4, mini grip, and kershaw echelon right now as edc. I own all sorts of knives mostly folders. I also plan on getting a spyderco tasman salt and native next.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[spydercobenchmadekai]

Well I picked up my Izula from the post office today (coincidentally the latest issue of Blade magazine also). It is awesome! I went ahead and wrapped the handle, let me know what you think.

Great job! Cool color scheme.

Alright guys, I have a dilemma. Tax returns are looking to be very kind to me, and of course, if I'm posting here, I want to buy a knife. I'm thinking either a big ol' ZT or a microtech ultratech. I've carried a cheap-o gun show OTF once in a while, and it's just so fun and convenient (in my opinion.) OTFs and autos are legal in the good old state of SC, so what do you guys think?

Edit: as an afterthought, perhaps a PM2? I know what SBK's opinion is going to be.

No, you don't know what I'm gonna say until I say it! (Except in the question of which Becker next...) So I would recommend a ZT 350 or a PM2. They're both great, and it just depends on whether you want a heavy tank of a folder or a light but still strong option. (So I guess that you knew half of what I was going to say.)

I'm 18, been collecting since I was like 7 or 8 but only recently got the serious level of many of the people on here. I'm rotating an endura 4, mini grip, and kershaw echelon right now as edc. I own all sorts of knives mostly folders. I also plan on getting a spyderco tasman salt and native next.

Welcometo the forum! (Get out before you're addicted any worse...)

 

[Romba1182]

Any of them would be fantastic choices. If you'd like, I'll post comparison pics with the three of them tomorrow

That'd be great, thanks.

Thanks ALLHS! And Romba, I don't have one, but have you looked at the zt 0560 or 0561?

I haven't, but I just did. Sweet knives, but perhaps just a tad out of my price range.

No, you don't know what I'm gonna say until I say it! (Except in the question of which Becker next...) So I would recommend a ZT 350 or a PM2. They're both great, and it just depends on whether you want a heavy tank of a folder or a light but still strong option. (So I guess that you knew half of what I was going to say.)

I have been looking at the 0350, and the PM2 has been on my list a while. I think I'm gonna see what I can find at the gun show next week, see what I can fondle, and make a decision when the tax return comes back.

No love for the ultratech, guys?!

 

[spydercobenchmadekai]

I haven't, but I just did. Sweet knives, but perhaps just a tad out of my price range.

No love for the ultratech, guys?!

If the 0560/0561 are too much $$$, look at the 0566. It is a smaller, non-ti, cheaper version.

I have never owned a Microtech.

 

[G.Moll]

Me and a couple buddies decided to hone our bushcraft skills.


The all important fire lay.


The delicate process of getting an ember to catch.


At this point I believe the fire is self sustaining.


Admiring my handiwork.

 

[spydercobenchmadekai]

 

[G.Moll]

Oh and for knife content, I had the mini grip in the front left pocket and the izula 2 cross draw on the belt.

 

[30ZappHappy30]

Did you roast any marshmallows?

 

[G.Moll]

Did you roast any marshmallows?

Hahah should have! My friends tail light on his truck melted and he was 25 ft away. That should give you an idea of how big this thing was! We had the fire department called on us. They showed up, didnt see any fire hazard, then hung out for a bit!

 

[30ZappHappy30]

Dang, glad everything went well.

 

[spydercobenchmadekai]

Ground in the primary bevels today.

 

[Romba1182]

nice, SBK. What kind of tools are required to make knives? I'm considering making a knife or two for my senior project next year.

 

[spydercobenchmadekai]

I use a cheapo $35 belt sander, a decent bench grinder, a metal bandsaw, a vice, and sometimes a dremel. For heat treating I use a test kiln and a kitchen oven. I have no doubt that you could make a decent knife with the belt sander and a hacksaw, bringing the total investment on tools to around $50. Then throw in $15 for steel, $20 for wood or Micarta, $15 for things like pin material, belts, and electricity, and you're looking at around $100 for a knife making setup and the materials for around 5 knives.

Here's what I told the Blade Magazine guy:

Step 1. Design a knife. I have made friction folders, but I mostly stick to full tang fixed blades. I sometimes design on the Windows program "Paint," but I usually use a pencil and paper.
Step 2. Cut out a paper pattern of my design. Glue it to the steel* with white glue. (*Steel: I use either 0.93" 1095 or 0.125" 01, both should be CRA.)
Step 3. Cut out the knife as close as possible to the paper with a metal band saw.
Step 4. Grind the knife to the profile of the paper on the bench grinder.
Step 5. Grind in the primary bevels with a 1x30 belt sander* using a 40 grit belt. (*Belt sander: I use a cheapo that I got for $35 from (edited--I didn't realize that I had a store name in here.) I am amazed with this little machine--it grinds fast and has never failed.)
Step 6. Sand the knife on the belt sander at 80 grit to remove scratches/prepare for heat treating. I will also add any filework or jimping with either a Dremel or the belt sander. Drill 2, 3, or 4 holes in the tang for the pins.
Step 7. Heat the knife to 1,500 degrees in a small kiln. Pull the blade out and quench it in motor or peanut oil. After the blade has cooled, heat it to 425 in the kitchen oven; hold for 2 hours. (This should give 59hrc.)
Step 8. Sand the "scale" or blackened oil off with the belt sander. Polish the blade to 1,200 grit, or leave it at a satin finish around 600 grit.
Step 9. Clamp the tang onto either wood or Micarta in 1/4" thickness, and drill the pin holes into the scales. Glue the scales on with epoxy and slide the brass rivets into place. After it has dried, cut the rivets and peen them.
Step 10. Sand the handle to shape on the belt sander. Round the corners and edges; smooth the surface and sand the rivets flush.
Step 11. Sharpen on the belt sander starting at 320 grit. Finish sharpening by free-handing with Lansky stones. If the knife has a wood handle, use canola oil to bring it to a low luster.

 

[Romba1182]

AWESOME info. A couple questions:
1. Is a metal bandsaw different from a regular bandsaw? Or is it a regular bandsaw with special blade?
2. Where does one acquire a test kiln, and what do you use to provide the heat inside? EDIT: that kiln looks like a heavy investment. Ouch.
3. Does baking it in the kitchen oven harm the oven at all?
4. What is "peening" the rivets?

Also, if you ever get time, I'd love to see some step-by-step process photos. I know there are loads of YouTube videos out there but you explain things very well and take excellent photos.

 

[9blades]

AWESOME info. A couple questions:
1. Is a metal bandsaw different from a regular bandsaw? Or is it a regular bandsaw with special blade?
2. Where does one acquire a test kiln, and what do you use to provide the heat inside?
3. Does baking it in the kitchen oven harm the oven at all?
4. What is "peening" the rivets?

Also, if you ever get time, I'd love to see some step-by-step process photos. I know there are loads of YouTube videos out there but you explain things very well and take excellent photos.

I know this wasn't directed at me, but...

1. Yes, metal cutting blades.
2. I'm assuming he's using a fire brick kiln, they usually use a propane torch and go by color to judge the temp, or you can use a high temp thermometer.
3. Nope, tempering simple carbon steels usually only requires temps around 400 fahrenheit.
4. You're hitting the heads of your handle pins with a ball peen hammer and mushrooming the head to attach the handles.

 

[Romba1182]

Thank you kind sir. I assumed he meant a fancy kiln, and the cost was frightening me.

 

[spydercobenchmadekai]

AWESOME info. A couple questions:
1. Is a metal bandsaw different from a regular bandsaw? Or is it a regular bandsaw with special blade?
2. Where does one acquire a test kiln, and what do you use to provide the heat inside? EDIT: that kiln looks like a heavy investment. Ouch.
3. Does baking it in the kitchen oven harm the oven at all?
4. What is "peening" the rivets?

Also, if you ever get time, I'd love to see some step-by-step process photos. I know there are loads of YouTube videos out there but you explain things very well and take excellent photos.

1. Yes. It goes much slower, and has more torque as well as having a very fine (18tpi) blade.
2. My dad bought this one for $10 at a tools auction back in the good ol' days. Now you can get them for around $100 on a List created by Craig.
3. No.
4. It is just flaring the rivet to make it not slide through a hole anymore.

I will be doing a full right up in General next weekend after I finish a few more knives that are hanging at the moment.